Songs to leave Europe to
June 24, 2016 3:36 AM   Subscribe

So, presciently, my apocalypse themed birthday party is happening tomorrow (Saturday). Obviously, the mood has dimmed a bit with Brexit, so I want to put together a banging playlist to cheer my party guests up while we dance.

I'm looking for upbeat songs with a European/positive/multicultural/integrative theme. These can be lyrical or musical - any language is fine. I've already mined recent Eurovision albums. I'm looking for the opposite of those 80s apocalypse anthems (The Final Countdown/99 Luftballoons etc), ones that say the future isn't necessarily going to be horrible.
posted by litereally to Media & Arts (35 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Trans-Europe Express - Kraftwerk
Eurotrash Girl - Cracker
I Wish I Could Sprechen Sie Deutsch - FSK
From Paris to Berlin - Infernal
French Disko - Stereolab
posted by misteraitch at 3:54 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Dispatch - Elias
Bobby McFerrin - Dont worry, be happy
posted by speakeasy at 3:57 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Johnny Marr - European Me
posted by Free word order! at 4:09 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Hjem til Århus

google translation of danish lyrics
posted by alchemist at 4:15 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Bis - Eurodisco
posted by EndsOfInvention at 4:29 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: also: Natasja - I danmark er jeg født
posted by alchemist at 4:49 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Well, if you're looking for an ironic closer to fit the Brexit mood: French Rock n Roll.

But on a more upbeat note: Ca Plane Pour Moi.
posted by Diablevert at 5:02 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Laibach's N.A.T.O. album (too soon?)
posted by prismatic7 at 5:12 AM on June 24, 2016


Fish Turned Human – The International
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:42 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Ö La Palöma Boys – Ö La Palöma
posted by slater at 5:43 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: End of the World as We Know It
posted by effluvia at 6:06 AM on June 24, 2016 [3 favorites]


Anarchy in the UK
posted by adamrice at 6:16 AM on June 24, 2016


I'm From Barcelona - literally any song
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:18 AM on June 24, 2016


"Don't Worry Be Happy" is a bitterly ironic song, FYI.

Some of the more optimistic corridos songs about immigration may interest you.
posted by nicebookrack at 6:23 AM on June 24, 2016


The nicest thing I can say about "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo is that it definitely favors international exchange. So to speak.
posted by nicebookrack at 6:27 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: London's Burning?
posted by steinwald at 6:43 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Lisztomania - Phoenix
posted by h00py at 7:50 AM on June 24, 2016 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Arguably/ambiguously optimistic:
Housemartins, Get Up Off Our Knees
Le Tigre, Fake French

(Also U2's Zooropa comes to mind though it's never floated my boat)
posted by miles per flower at 7:59 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Roxy Music - A Song For Europe
posted by ovvl at 8:04 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: How about "Rotterdam" by the Beautiful South

And especially for today "I Don't Love You" by My Chemical Romance
posted by ndaguiar at 8:10 AM on June 24, 2016


The Ode to Joy (EU anthem)
posted by JimN2TAW at 8:22 AM on June 24, 2016


How about some ABBA as well: perhaps Dance (While The Music Still Goes On) or Hasta Manaña
posted by misteraitch at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2016


I'm also going to suggest The Clash's "London Calling". I love the phonetic punning between Calling and Cauling: to be "born with the caul" is a protection against drowning. Upbeat with a nihilistic twist.
posted by effluvia at 8:33 AM on June 24, 2016


Something from Euro Deluxe Dance Party by Le Sport? It’s Not The End of the World would seem fitting.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 8:44 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: If you have a bit of love for girly House music, turn this up loud and get with Pretty Pink's mix of Schöner Moment
posted by honey-barbara at 9:27 AM on June 24, 2016


Asian Dub Foundation's New way New life

or their Real Great Britain, bit bitter sounding right now though.
Also Billy Bragg, Milkman of Human Kindness
posted by runincircles at 9:35 AM on June 24, 2016


'I've had relations / with girls from many nations' (Billy Bragg, Sexuality)
posted by plep at 9:45 AM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: I'm in L.A. but one of the radio stations today had a good time with their playlist. On my lunch hour drive I heard God Save the Queen and Part of the Union.
posted by sweetmarie at 2:05 PM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Pet Shop Boys, Euroboy.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:08 PM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Scorpions - Wind Of Change

Pet Shop Boys - Go West

The Internationale
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 5:26 PM on June 24, 2016




Best answer: This seems like a situation tailor-made for Saint Bob's supremely ironic Great Song of Indifference.
posted by MsMolly at 10:50 PM on June 24, 2016


Best answer: Something by Manu Chao? Clandestino or Promiscuity would be great, but they're not that hopeful. Me Gustas Tu is much happier.
posted by Helga-woo at 3:24 PM on June 25, 2016


Best answer: Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy makes passing reference to Milan. Go with it - it's fun!
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 9:47 PM on June 25, 2016


Best answer: 'Can't Be Sure' by The Sundays seems particularly appropriate.
posted by h00py at 3:27 AM on June 26, 2016


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