An Exhaustive History of German Cover Songs

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Helge Schneider & The Firefuckers – My Generation (The Who cover)

The weirdest of them all. The true son of the German dada movement (check out “Dada“ on wikipedia), but at the same time a skillful musician on so many instruments, a jazzer, actor and even a writer. To truly understand and appreciate him, you must at least have seen one film with him. And stay till the bitter end!

Andrea Schroeder – Helden (David Bowie cover)

I’m not related to her, despite the name (even also with “oe” instead of the usual “ö”!) – I don’t even know her. A very contemplative, relaxing, laid-back music. She adds nothing to this classic Bowie tune but her voice. But this does enough.

Seeed – Wonderful life (Black cover)

Yes, it’s Seeed with three “Es.’ A unique German dancehall band. They’re on the verge of reggae, ska and hiphop. One of them has passed away some years ago.

Señor Coconut – Kiss (Prince cover)

From cold and hazy Germany come these samba and rhumba tunes – a world full of wonders. And the artist Señor Coconut has got this exotic real name as well: Uwe Schmidt. By far, very exotic!

Hank Shizzoe – Do Not Forsake Me (Tiomkin/Washington cover)

Hearing this version for the first time, you will probably suppose the guy comes from somewhere in Texas or Arizona or somewhere else – not from Switzerland. He stays close to the original. One of the best Western movies ever made.

Slime – Career Opportunities (The Clash cover)

Hamburg was special when punk rose – the scene was notorious for being brutal and hard. Even bands could be sure to be beaten up when playing gigs. Warfare between punks and rockers was legendar, although the punks there rather dressed like rockers – at least compared to the mohawks in Düsseldorf. The jackets had to be of black leather.

Slut – Die Moritat von Mackie Messer (Brecht/Weill cover)

This song, the story of “Mack the Knife,” has travelled around the world – and came back. When communist author Bert Brecht and composer Kurt Weill adapted the “Beggars Opera” into the German “Dreigroschenoper” (“Threepenny Opera”) in the 1920s, it was an overwhelming stage success. The song of Mack the Knife made its way around the globe. Actually, this might be the most covered song of German origin in the whole wide world. And Brecht is the best drama author – beaten perhaps only by the Swan of Avon, olde Bill Shakespeare.

Soap & Skin – Voyage Boyage (Desireless cover)

This Austrian one-woman-show Anja Plaschg is quite an appearance on stage: dark, dim – but very impressing. I don’t know if she is still active at the very moment. Saw her once some 15 years ago…she was quite young then.

Sodom – Let’s Break the Law (Anti-Nowhere League cover)

A German true-metal legend! I think that they’re in the business for some 25 years now – I found that on a German (!!) tribute album to the punk legends!

Frank Spilker – Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan cover)

Mastermind of the hilarious band Die Sterne on solo tracks – an important Dylan track, but is it really covered that often? Actually, the video’s idea seems to be stolen (or: borrowed) more often.

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