Episodes

  • Verdammt, ich lieb’ dich — The 16-Week Love Affair with Matthias Reim
    Jan 20 2026

    Verdammt, ich lieb’ dich, ich lieb’ dich nicht was Matthias Reim’s breakthrough, a heartbreak anthem so catchy it stayed at the top of the German charts for an unbelievable 16 weeks. Today on The German Earworm, we’ll dive into the story of this song, its lyrics of tortured love, its synth-driven sound, and how it became one of the defining soundtracks of post-Wall Germany.

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    8 mins
  • Engel — A Hangover Hymn with Heavenly Hooks
    Jan 13 2026

    Willkommen zurück to The German Earworm! Today we’re diving into Ikke Hüftgold’s ‘Engel’—a 2023 Partyschlager missile that turns a very mortal pub crawl into a tipsy trip to heaven. Released as a single on November 3, 2023 and clocking in at about 2:36, ‘Engel’ distills the Ballermann formula into pure sing-along fuel—and even spun off an official video. We’ll unpack the story, the sound, the scene, and give you bite-size German you can shout along to.

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    10 mins
  • Da Da Da – Trio’s Minimalist Anthem and the Power of Simplicity
    Jan 6 2026

    Grüß Gott and hello to The German Earworm! Today’s episode explores an underground hit that became a global sensation: Trio’s ‘Da Da Da (I Don’t Love You You Don’t Love Me – Aha Aha Aha)’. This song thrives on minimalism—three words, a Casio rhythm, and a deadpan delivery that sold around 13 million copies worldwide. We'll break down how a half-finished ditty became ‘New German Cheerfulness,’ influential, bizarre, and unforgettable. Let’s dive in!

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    8 mins
  • Das geht ab – Die Atzen and the Rise of German Party Revolution
    Dec 30 2025

    Hallo und willkommen zurück bei The German Earworm! Today we celebrate a song that single‑handedly shaped German party culture: ‘Das geht ab (Wir feiern die ganze Nacht)’ by Die Atzen—Frauenarzt and Manny Marc. It’s loud, repetitive, hedonistic—and unforgettable. We’ll unpack the origins, lyrics, production, viral impact, and why it still cheers festivals nearly two decades later. Let’s drop the bass!

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    9 mins
  • Jeanny – Obsession, Outrage & the Dark Side of Falco
    Dec 23 2025

    Hallo und willkommen zurück bei The German Earworm! Today’s episode dives into one of German pop music’s most famous controversies: ‘Jeanny’, released by Austrian superstar Falco in December 1985. It’s a chilling narrative set to a sultry melody—told from the perspective of a stalker, and banned from many radio stations. We’ll explore the music, lyrics, controversy, and why it still fascinates listeners decades later

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    7 mins
  • Regenbogenfarben – Celebrating Love & Pride with Kerstin Ott
    Dec 16 2025

    Hallo und willkommen zurück bei The German Earworm! In today's episode we celebrate love in all its forms. Our featured song is ‘Regenbogenfarben’ by Kerstin Ott—a joyful, inclusive anthem that asks us to paint the world in all the colors of the rainbow.

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    7 mins
  • Die Nacht von Freitag auf Montag – Hangover Horror by SDP & Sido
    Dec 9 2025

    Hallo und willkommen to The German Earworm! Today we’re rewinding to 2012 for one of Germany's wildest party-wake-up songs: ‘Die Nacht von Freitag auf Montag’ by SDP featuring Sido. It’s about a legendary weekend you can’t remember—tattoos, Facebook tags, and regrets included. Get ready for beat, banter, and a full hangover story!

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    8 mins
  • Olivia – Wild Nights at Ballermann with Die Zipfelbuben & DJ Cashi
    Dec 2 2025

    Grüß Gott and welcome to The German Earworm, the podcast that dives deep into Germany’s most addictive hits and reveals the culture, language, and stories behind them. Today we’re diving into a 2022 summer anthem that lit up Ballermann and beer tents alike: ‘Olivia’ by Die Zipfelbuben featuring DJ Cashi. We’ll unpack the cheeky lyrics, the infectious melody, and why a song about Olivia sparked so much attention last summer.

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    6 mins