Songs of Babel
April 24, 2011 6:39 PM Subscribe
Hearing the same song or melody done in disparate languages fascinates me. What are some songs that have been covered in multiple languages?
The Numa Numa song ("Dragostea din tei") comes to mind. It was originally in Romanian, then was covered in Hungarian, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Mandarin (twice), Japanese, and dozens of other versions.
Then there are songs that steal melodies, such as this song that was translated into Japanese, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
The Numa Numa song ("Dragostea din tei") comes to mind. It was originally in Romanian, then was covered in Hungarian, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Mandarin (twice), Japanese, and dozens of other versions.
Then there are songs that steal melodies, such as this song that was translated into Japanese, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Where Have All the Flowers Gone? has been done in a couple of dozen languages.
posted by Jehan at 6:48 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Jehan at 6:48 PM on April 24, 2011
Petula Clark recorded versions of her own song "Downtown" in German, Italian, and French.
posted by hermitosis at 6:50 PM on April 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by hermitosis at 6:50 PM on April 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Paul Anka's "(I Did It) My Way" is from the French "Comme d'habitude."
Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun" is from Jacques Brel's "Le moribond."
posted by Sys Rq at 6:52 PM on April 24, 2011
Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun" is from Jacques Brel's "Le moribond."
posted by Sys Rq at 6:52 PM on April 24, 2011
Also, see the soundtrack to The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, which is filled David Bowie songs sung in Portuguese.
posted by hermitosis at 6:52 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by hermitosis at 6:52 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
One excellent answer to your question can be found in this astonishing and entirely gratifying post featuring translated Disney songs by user Rhaomi.
And, while it's not about the translation of song specifically, this recent reddit post on how Toy Story 3 adapted a Spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear for Spanish-speaking countries may interest you.
posted by iguessgabby at 6:53 PM on April 24, 2011
And, while it's not about the translation of song specifically, this recent reddit post on how Toy Story 3 adapted a Spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear for Spanish-speaking countries may interest you.
posted by iguessgabby at 6:53 PM on April 24, 2011
Abba recorded some of their songs in multiple languages. Some examples:
"Waterloo" in French and in German
"Chiquitita" in Spanish
"Dancing Queen" in Spanish
"Honey Honey" in Swedish
posted by SisterHavana at 6:53 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Waterloo" in French and in German
"Chiquitita" in Spanish
"Dancing Queen" in Spanish
"Honey Honey" in Swedish
posted by SisterHavana at 6:53 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just about everything Kraftwerk ever recorded has been released in both English and German versions.
posted by contraption at 6:55 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by contraption at 6:55 PM on April 24, 2011
The Beatles recorded "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in German.
posted by catwash at 6:56 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by catwash at 6:56 PM on April 24, 2011
Son Ho Young's "I Know" was covered by Peter Ho in Mandarin.
Toni Basil's "Mickey" turned into an LG phone jingle, "Cooky", performed by Girls' Generation.
K-pop acts these days release their songs in multiple languages, usually Korean and Mandarin, Japanese, or English.
posted by needled at 6:56 PM on April 24, 2011
Toni Basil's "Mickey" turned into an LG phone jingle, "Cooky", performed by Girls' Generation.
K-pop acts these days release their songs in multiple languages, usually Korean and Mandarin, Japanese, or English.
posted by needled at 6:56 PM on April 24, 2011
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.
posted by stubby phillips at 6:58 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by stubby phillips at 6:58 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hotel California has been covered by the Gypsy Kings and about a million other Latin bands.
The Mexican band Molotov did a covers record called "Con Todo Respeto"
posted by birdherder at 7:02 PM on April 24, 2011
The Mexican band Molotov did a covers record called "Con Todo Respeto"
posted by birdherder at 7:02 PM on April 24, 2011
La Plaga is the mexican version of Good Golly Miss Molly as done by the group Los Teen Tops in 1959, althought the lyrics were completely redone.
posted by Omon Ra at 7:03 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Omon Ra at 7:03 PM on April 24, 2011
The Beatles' "The Fool on the Hill" and Melanie Safka's "Christopher Robin is Saying His Prayers" were covered (one, two) in Icelandic by a very young Bjork.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:03 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Sys Rq at 7:03 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
You can youtube search the name of pretty much any contemporary song + the language and get a result.
A few examples:
Bruno Mars' "Grenade" in spanish ; in german
Actually this guy, AlexiBexi on youtube covers a ton of songs in german.
posted by fuzzysoft at 7:04 PM on April 24, 2011
A few examples:
Bruno Mars' "Grenade" in spanish ; in german
Actually this guy, AlexiBexi on youtube covers a ton of songs in german.
posted by fuzzysoft at 7:04 PM on April 24, 2011
The Beatles, of course, also put out a couple of German versions.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:06 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Sys Rq at 7:06 PM on April 24, 2011
Laura Branigan's "Gloria" is a cover of an Italian song by Umberto Tozzi.
"Kiss Kiss" was originally sung by Turkish artist Tarkan. It has been covered in English by Stella Soleil and Holly Valance.
"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me," by Dusty Springfield originated as an Italian song called "Io Che Non Vivo."
posted by SisterHavana at 7:12 PM on April 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
"Kiss Kiss" was originally sung by Turkish artist Tarkan. It has been covered in English by Stella Soleil and Holly Valance.
"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me," by Dusty Springfield originated as an Italian song called "Io Che Non Vivo."
posted by SisterHavana at 7:12 PM on April 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Great answers all!
What about songs that weren't translations, but used the same melody and had completely different meanings in different languages?
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 7:14 PM on April 24, 2011
What about songs that weren't translations, but used the same melody and had completely different meanings in different languages?
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 7:14 PM on April 24, 2011
Charles Aznavour often did this. (All four versions in one video.)
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:15 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:15 PM on April 24, 2011
What about songs that weren't translations, but used the same melody and had completely different meanings in different languages?
The Internationale has been sung in many many different languages. They all use the same melody, but though the lyrics have the same overall meaning, they are often not literal translations.
posted by Jehan at 7:20 PM on April 24, 2011
The Internationale has been sung in many many different languages. They all use the same melody, but though the lyrics have the same overall meaning, they are often not literal translations.
posted by Jehan at 7:20 PM on April 24, 2011
What about songs that weren't translations, but used the same melody and had completely different meanings in different languages?
Jacques Brel's trenchant original "Le Moribond" vs. Terry Jacks' syrupy "Seasons In The Sun".
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:24 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Jacques Brel's trenchant original "Le Moribond" vs. Terry Jacks' syrupy "Seasons In The Sun".
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:24 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Sorry, "not literal translations" should really say "individual lines are sometimes completely different", as that's a better description.
posted by Jehan at 7:25 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Jehan at 7:25 PM on April 24, 2011
A lot of musicals get translated, often rather hastily.
Here, for example, is the Japanese version of Hair.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:31 PM on April 24, 2011
Here, for example, is the Japanese version of Hair.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:31 PM on April 24, 2011
Obviously, 99 Red Balloons (english, german, Scrubs).
posted by you're a kitty! at 7:33 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by you're a kitty! at 7:33 PM on April 24, 2011
I just watched Talladega Nights last night and there was a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black" sung in French.
A number of popular European bands have English versions of some of their albums: Kent (Swedish), Trust (French), Die Toten Hosen (German), etc.
posted by AlexanderPetros at 7:33 PM on April 24, 2011
A number of popular European bands have English versions of some of their albums: Kent (Swedish), Trust (French), Die Toten Hosen (German), etc.
posted by AlexanderPetros at 7:33 PM on April 24, 2011
"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" would fit the non-translation criteria, since new English lyrics were written for the song (it's not a translation - the Italian song's title translates to "I Who Can't Live Without You.")
Other songs:
"Munich Girls" by Falco is a reworked version of "Looking for Love" by The Cars.
Laura Branigan's "Deep In The Dark" uses the melody from Falco's "Der Kommissar." And of course, there's After The Fire's version of "Der Kommissar."
posted by SisterHavana at 7:36 PM on April 24, 2011
Other songs:
"Munich Girls" by Falco is a reworked version of "Looking for Love" by The Cars.
Laura Branigan's "Deep In The Dark" uses the melody from Falco's "Der Kommissar." And of course, there's After The Fire's version of "Der Kommissar."
posted by SisterHavana at 7:36 PM on April 24, 2011
Ca Plain Pour Moi and Jet Boy Jet Girl have the same music and completely different lyrics, and the same cultural goal of the continent trying to figure out what new wave was about.
posted by bendybendy at 7:41 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by bendybendy at 7:41 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
The melody of a classical french song from 1780, Plaisir d'Amour, became the Elvis Presley hit, Can't Help Falling in Love.
posted by Sculthorpe at 7:48 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Sculthorpe at 7:48 PM on April 24, 2011
The New Zealand national anthem has Maori and English versions.
posted by rodgerd at 7:53 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by rodgerd at 7:53 PM on April 24, 2011
O Tannenbaum, Silent Night, and Frere Jacques immediately pop to mind.
posted by notme at 8:03 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by notme at 8:03 PM on April 24, 2011
The Russian song Dorogoi dlinnoyu by Boris Fomin got some new, English lyrics from Gene Raskin (a Columbia architecture professor who also had a cabaret act with his wife) and became Those Were the Days, which was a hit single for Mary Hopkins on Apple Records in 1968.
posted by grounded at 8:07 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by grounded at 8:07 PM on April 24, 2011
Sukiyaki:
Kyu Sakamoto (#1, 1963)
Jewel Akens is deemed by Wikipedia to be the closest translation. (#∞, 1966)
A Taste of Honey's laments being dumped (#3, 1981)
Jacky:
Jacques Brel
Scott Walker
posted by rhizome at 8:22 PM on April 24, 2011
Kyu Sakamoto (#1, 1963)
Jewel Akens is deemed by Wikipedia to be the closest translation. (#∞, 1966)
A Taste of Honey's laments being dumped (#3, 1981)
Jacky:
Jacques Brel
Scott Walker
posted by rhizome at 8:22 PM on April 24, 2011
Dylan's been translated a lot. 'Mama, you've been on my mind' in Hebrew (with some changed words, including "mama" to "sweetie"): Motek, At Etzli Ba'rosh
A not so serious parody from Swedish to Hebrew (that somehow made it on TV live): Basshunter's 'Boten Anna' to Rotze Banot
posted by devilsbrigade at 8:26 PM on April 24, 2011
A not so serious parody from Swedish to Hebrew (that somehow made it on TV live): Basshunter's 'Boten Anna' to Rotze Banot
posted by devilsbrigade at 8:26 PM on April 24, 2011
Some people might be offended by the lyrics to the second link
posted by devilsbrigade at 8:31 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by devilsbrigade at 8:31 PM on April 24, 2011
Rachid Taha, Rock el Casbah
posted by matildaben at 8:32 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by matildaben at 8:32 PM on April 24, 2011
David Bowie: Heroes (English), Helden (German), Héros (French)
posted by kosmonaut at 9:10 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by kosmonaut at 9:10 PM on April 24, 2011
Jeanette's "Por Que Te Vas" covered by Los Super Elegantes as "Porque Te Vas," in English and Spanish.
posted by lewedswiver at 9:12 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by lewedswiver at 9:12 PM on April 24, 2011
Peter Schilling: Major Tom (Coming Home) (English), Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst) (German)
posted by kosmonaut at 9:14 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by kosmonaut at 9:14 PM on April 24, 2011
There have been a number of versions of the song Lili Marleen, in various languages, including alternate lyrics.
posted by gudrun at 9:23 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by gudrun at 9:23 PM on April 24, 2011
For same melody, different lyrics, there is the anthemic Quebecois Mon Pays, reborn as the disco classic From New York to LA, or in the other direction, the eighteenth-century British drinking song To Anacreon in Heaven repurposed as The Star-Spangled Banner.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:33 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:33 PM on April 24, 2011
Paul Anka's "(I Did It) My Way" is from the French "Comme d'habitude."
"La mia Via"
"A mi manera"
"Do Meu Jeito"
"Drumul Meu"
"בדרכי אלך"
"Goodnight Irene"
"Gute Nacht, Marie"
"Bonsoir Lily"
"Boa Noite Meu Bem"
posted by hydrophonic at 10:49 PM on April 24, 2011
"La mia Via"
"A mi manera"
"Do Meu Jeito"
"Drumul Meu"
"בדרכי אלך"
"Goodnight Irene"
"Gute Nacht, Marie"
"Bonsoir Lily"
"Boa Noite Meu Bem"
posted by hydrophonic at 10:49 PM on April 24, 2011
Oh yeah:
The Rokes, "Piangi Con Me", the original. I think it has different lyrics than The Grass Roots, "Let's Live For Today" starring Creed Bratton.
posted by rhizome at 11:33 PM on April 24, 2011
The Rokes, "Piangi Con Me", the original. I think it has different lyrics than The Grass Roots, "Let's Live For Today" starring Creed Bratton.
posted by rhizome at 11:33 PM on April 24, 2011
La Mer, by Charles Trenet, became Beyond the Sea. The English lyrics retain a nautical theme but are otherwiseunrelated to the original French.
posted by Dr Dracator at 11:45 PM on April 24, 2011
posted by Dr Dracator at 11:45 PM on April 24, 2011
Rod Stewart's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy took the main melody from Jorge Ben's Taj Mahal.
There are LOTS of non-English covers of popular American/British pop songs (maybe more so in the 60s-80s than in recent years). I'll post more later if I'm free/procrastinating...
posted by p3t3 at 12:39 AM on April 25, 2011
There are LOTS of non-English covers of popular American/British pop songs (maybe more so in the 60s-80s than in recent years). I'll post more later if I'm free/procrastinating...
posted by p3t3 at 12:39 AM on April 25, 2011
lots of Christian hymns are sung in different languages, the tune is the same.
(not trying to be all religiousy, just offering a broader example)
"with Jesus in the Family" is one that comes to mind.
posted by titanium_geek at 3:17 AM on April 25, 2011
(not trying to be all religiousy, just offering a broader example)
"with Jesus in the Family" is one that comes to mind.
posted by titanium_geek at 3:17 AM on April 25, 2011
Los Ovnis: Pequeña Ayuda De Mama (Mother's Little Helper)
Los Freddys: Penny Lane (Beatles cover), Lupe (Sloopy)
Los Rockin Devils: Gloria (Doors cover), Bule Bule (Wooly Bully), Satisfecho (Satisfaction), etc, etc..
Asakura Miki: Hero (Holding Out For A Hero), Runaway (Bon Jovi cover), What A Feeling (Irene Cara cover), and she covered Frank Stallone too.
Saijyou Hideki: Young Man (YMCA)
posted by p3t3 at 5:10 AM on April 25, 2011
Los Freddys: Penny Lane (Beatles cover), Lupe (Sloopy)
Los Rockin Devils: Gloria (Doors cover), Bule Bule (Wooly Bully), Satisfecho (Satisfaction), etc, etc..
Asakura Miki: Hero (Holding Out For A Hero), Runaway (Bon Jovi cover), What A Feeling (Irene Cara cover), and she covered Frank Stallone too.
Saijyou Hideki: Young Man (YMCA)
posted by p3t3 at 5:10 AM on April 25, 2011
On the songs that are not translations question:
Etienne Daho's Weekend a Rome (Link is to Nouvelle Vague's cover with Vanessa Paradis)
which was re-recorded by Saint Etienne (no relation, though they collaborate on this song and on an EP) as He's on the Phone (a completely different song, and one of their biggest hits in the UK).
(Technically, He's on the Phone is a reworking of St. Etienne's own Accident, which was their first reworking of Weekend a Rome).
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:50 AM on April 25, 2011
Etienne Daho's Weekend a Rome (Link is to Nouvelle Vague's cover with Vanessa Paradis)
which was re-recorded by Saint Etienne (no relation, though they collaborate on this song and on an EP) as He's on the Phone (a completely different song, and one of their biggest hits in the UK).
(Technically, He's on the Phone is a reworking of St. Etienne's own Accident, which was their first reworking of Weekend a Rome).
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:50 AM on April 25, 2011
Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues becomes an anti-nuclear protest song in Japanese covered by Kiyoshiro Imawano.
posted by mariokrat at 7:28 AM on April 25, 2011
posted by mariokrat at 7:28 AM on April 25, 2011
Girl Generation has a Japanese and Korean version of Gee.
posted by empath at 8:05 AM on April 25, 2011
posted by empath at 8:05 AM on April 25, 2011
Manowar - Father
The song was recorded by the band in about 10 different languages, lyrics translated by fans from around the world.
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 8:30 AM on April 25, 2011
The song was recorded by the band in about 10 different languages, lyrics translated by fans from around the world.
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 8:30 AM on April 25, 2011
"Boten Anna" and "Now You're Gone" (sorry for the lack of links, posting from my phone).
posted by flod logic at 9:59 AM on April 25, 2011
posted by flod logic at 9:59 AM on April 25, 2011
Main Teri Hoon Janam takes the melody of Chariots of Fire, with all new lyrics.
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (German)
Renato Zero - Sgualdrina Cover of Dreamer by Supertramp
posted by nomisxid at 10:01 AM on April 25, 2011
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (German)
Renato Zero - Sgualdrina Cover of Dreamer by Supertramp
posted by nomisxid at 10:01 AM on April 25, 2011
Sorry, posted too soon. Boten Anna was the original song in Swedish about an IRC bot. And Now You're Gone was written afterwards and uses the same melody but the lyrics are different (and decidedly less nerdy)
posted by flod logic at 10:01 AM on April 25, 2011
posted by flod logic at 10:01 AM on April 25, 2011
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" in Japanese
In the English version of the movie "Whisper of the Heart", the character sings this in English which had me wondering why the hell the English translators had picked such an Americana song about West Virginia. It wasn't until the credits rolled with this version that I was surprised to learn it was in fact the tune used in the original Japanese.
posted by yeti at 10:30 AM on April 25, 2011
In the English version of the movie "Whisper of the Heart", the character sings this in English which had me wondering why the hell the English translators had picked such an Americana song about West Virginia. It wasn't until the credits rolled with this version that I was surprised to learn it was in fact the tune used in the original Japanese.
posted by yeti at 10:30 AM on April 25, 2011
Here's the song in the original movie with English subtitles.
posted by yeti at 10:33 AM on April 25, 2011
posted by yeti at 10:33 AM on April 25, 2011
Daddy Yankee's Gasolina has been remixed in Punjabi style. I can't tell you whether or not the intended audience for the remix was catching the fast cars=sex message of the original.
I would definitely mine Bollywood for this. For example: Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Naa Ho (similar sentiment as the original).
posted by ramenopres at 1:32 PM on April 25, 2011
I would definitely mine Bollywood for this. For example: Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Naa Ho (similar sentiment as the original).
posted by ramenopres at 1:32 PM on April 25, 2011
Salma and Sabina have several Abba songs in Hindi. No idea how closely the translation correlates to the originals, though.
Mitha Maze Dar (Dancing Queen)
Toba Toba (Mamma Mia)
Ho Jayegi Badnami (Money, Money, Money)
posted by pernoctalian at 4:24 PM on April 25, 2011
Mitha Maze Dar (Dancing Queen)
Toba Toba (Mamma Mia)
Ho Jayegi Badnami (Money, Money, Money)
posted by pernoctalian at 4:24 PM on April 25, 2011
Shakira's recorded lots of her songs in Spanish:
Suerte (Whenever, Wherever)
Hips Don't Lie
La Loba (She Wolf)
Waka Waka
posted by SisterHavana at 5:09 PM on April 25, 2011
Suerte (Whenever, Wherever)
Hips Don't Lie
La Loba (She Wolf)
Waka Waka
posted by SisterHavana at 5:09 PM on April 25, 2011
Marie Laforet's cover of Paint It Black has completely different (French) lyrics. There's also this Italian version and apparently this campy German version though they appear to be translations from English.
posted by speicus at 5:44 PM on April 25, 2011
posted by speicus at 5:44 PM on April 25, 2011
I don't know if you want to count this, but "Oranje Wordt Kampioen" by Hit is a song for the Dutch national soccer team that uses the tune of "Evacuate the Dancefloor" by Cascada.
posted by SisterHavana at 10:14 PM on April 25, 2011
posted by SisterHavana at 10:14 PM on April 25, 2011
GLS United - Rappers Deutsch (Rappers Delight in German)
posted by p3t3 at 11:59 PM on April 25, 2011
posted by p3t3 at 11:59 PM on April 25, 2011
Peter Gabriel's third and fourth albums were also released in German. The German version of "Here Comes the Flood" is pretty great.
From Wikipedia: "Alternate versions of Gabriel's third and fourth albums were also released with German lyrics. Peter Gabriel 3 consisted of basically the same recording overdubbed with new vocals, while Security was also remixed and several tracks were extended or altered in slight ways."
posted by kristi at 9:09 AM on April 26, 2011
From Wikipedia: "Alternate versions of Gabriel's third and fourth albums were also released with German lyrics. Peter Gabriel 3 consisted of basically the same recording overdubbed with new vocals, while Security was also remixed and several tracks were extended or altered in slight ways."
posted by kristi at 9:09 AM on April 26, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 6:46 PM on April 24, 2011