So what was the deal with Modern Talking?

**markydefad** · December 19th, 2001, 12:23 PM

Last week I posted some highlights of the Tom Moulton interview. One of the records he listed as wishing he wanted to remix was "You're My Heart, You're My Soul" by Modern Talking. I hadn't heard of this song or this group.

This morning, while riding to work with my rideshare neighbor, he put in a CD from a group he recalled from his childhood in Slovakia and asked me if I knew it. Strangely enough, it was Modern Talking and though it sounded vaguely familiar, I really don't recall it. Was this song played in the U.S.?

I now realize the group was huge in Europe, but I was amazed and amused that one week after I read Tom Moulton mention it, my 22 year old co-worker from Slovakia would pop it in his CD player and announce it as his favorite childhood song! What a coincidence!

**Bernie** · December 19th, 2001, 12:40 PM

Marky,

I have one of Modern Talking's songs in the Vault called "Atlantis Is Calling (SOS for Love)" which is quite good. Give it a listen. It's at:

http://www.discomusic.com/records/modern_talking.html

**originalbigm** · December 19th, 2001, 08:56 PM

Just happen to be going through some tunes last night and came across a 12" recording of Brother Louie by Modern Talking released in 1986 on the Ariola Label.Catchy tune that has an Abba sound to it.

**Henri** · December 20th, 2001, 01:35 AM

I have a compilation CD from them. It's very funny, all the songs look alike but anyhow they managed to make them somehow unique because after the first few seconds you immediately know the title

.

There was some 'Milli Vanilli' about these guys, I thougth (can't base this on facts) they had the same producers.

Modern Talking was a top 40 band and not considered 'cool' in the clubscene. But this compilation CD is very nice during doing the dishes or something boring. You can sing along all the lyrics.

Henri.

**JussiK** · December 20th, 2001, 07:28 AM

On 2001-12-20 02:35, Henri wrote:

Modern Talking was a top 40 band and not considered 'cool' in the clubscene

Discussing Modern Talking, The Look should be brought to your attention. It complemented the tackiness of the tunes perfectly and was all about out-of-all-propotion shoulderpads, imitation Versace jackets and horrendous, bleached mullet hairdos. Really, as Henri wrote, should you hear YOU'RE MY HEART YOU'RE MY SOUL or GERONIMO'S CADILLAC in club enviroment you'd know you'd reached the doghouse and might as well go home. But, naturally, the boys are back and their cds are everywhere again, including the radio. This kind of people always have the last laugh.

**DiscoMuc** · December 23rd, 2001, 07:02 AM

some more details about them:

Modern Talking consists of two German guys, one of them, Dieter Bohlen, produced all their hits. So there is no connection to Frank Farian or Milli Vanilli.

Between 1985 and 1987 they released 6 albums and 9 singles. Only one was a ballad, all the other singles were uptempo dancefloor songs with nice singalong melodies. All of their sings had the same sound, that's why everybody pretended not to like them. But they sold more than 60 million records in only 3 years. Even in the U.K. they had a top 10 hit with 'Brother Louie'

In 1998 they reunited and produced 4 albums so far with 4 more top 10 hits in Germany. Using still the same formula.

Their 80's singles with the German Chart rankings:

You're my heart you're my soul (1985) no. 1

You can win if you want (1985) no. 1

Cheri cheri lady (1985) no. 1

Brother Louie (1986) no. 1

Atlantis is calling (1986) no. 1

Geronimo's cadillac (1986) no. 3

Give me peace on earth (1986) no. 29 (ballad)

Jet airliner (1987) no. 7

In hundred years (1987) no. 30

If you want more of that sound check their other productions: C.C.Catch, Les McKeown, Ryan Simmons and Blue System.

Karl

**sirius** · January 16th, 2002, 05:47 AM

To tell you the truth: MODERN TALKING was

in the 80ies one of the most hated groups

all over Germany...they had so many hits,

but it was terrible...worse than BONEY M.

Megahits like "Rivers Of Babylon" or "Hooray

Hooray It´s A Holíday"...MODERN TALKING is

Dieter Bohlen & Thomas Anders and the sound

they created was also called DISCO-FOX. It

has the reputation to be very kitschy but

not trashy enough, to be played. As similar

was the STOCK,AITKEN & WATERMAN-Thing

as they left the HI-NRG-Gay-Scene and prod.

Kylie, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Mel & Kim,

Nick Kamen, Bros and even Donna Summer or

Sigue Sigue Sputnik.Maybe this was the ruin

of the HI-NRG-Scene...oops Jason Donovan or

Sinitta...the list is endless...like DIETER

Bohlen or maybe Michael Cretu.

Love & Cosmic Kisses From Sirius & Darktunes

**euroflash** · November 1st, 2002, 01:14 AM

You can love them or hate them. However, these two dudes sold more records than CERRONE could only dreamed of.... from the first release MT- I. There were hugely popular in Eastern Europe and Asia, as a matter of fact still very popular. Several last albums were very strong - "Year of the dragon" (definitely targeted for Asian market), "AMERICA" - catered to Eastern Europeans living in Brooklyn... Love them or hate them, one has to admit that Dieter Bohlen REALLY UNDERSTANDS what makes a club hit... Thanks for readin'

**QUINNY** · November 1st, 2002, 03:26 AM

Sounds like we were lucky in the UK clubs to never have their records cast a shadow over our turntables. :lol:

**PeanutVendor** · November 1st, 2002, 05:08 AM

that's right - these guys were baaad. In the same genre of tragic pop disco one would also be expected to play such stuff as SEXY MUSIC by THE NOLANS - can anyone remember how bad THIS was ?? !!!! :x

**Voyage** · November 1st, 2002, 07:55 AM

I really like 2 of thier songs: "Atlantis Is Calling (SOS For Love)" and "Princess Of the Night". But I must admit that after I listen to the same song over and over and over....I really get "bored" :evil: LOL

Voyage

**Comamojo** · November 2nd, 2002, 02:18 PM

:o
Well well well
Am I ashamed now!!!
I grew up in Koblenz where Thomas Anders went to School with me.
UhOh.
Yes he is a fake and yes his NORA is even faker!!
They where acting like God's those Idiots.
Dieter Bohlen stays only in the news because he changes his Women like some of us their Underwear.
Dieter isnt getting the Hook with all of his recent Songs and anyway we are all happy they are gone.The only thing nice what came out of it was Verona Feldbusch. Erveryone in Germany thought that Dieter Bohlen 's ( Modern talking) Ex Wife would be dumb. Nope she aint because she has a very successful carrier on German TV now.
She is pretty
Wanna see her???
She is the TV Reporter in the Movie " Driven" with
"Silvester Stallone" and Til Schweiger ( Germans #1 Actor)

**Bernie** · November 2nd, 2002, 02:33 PM

I also have to admit that I liked "Atlantis Is Calling (SOS For Love)" and still have the 12" in my collection. Other that this one song, I never got into them.

Coma, I'll have to check out the movie "Driven" to see what this lady looks like.

**sutnop** · November 3rd, 2002, 06:51 AM

Yes this is very tragic
at least
Boney M were creative in their choosing of songs
and their song text had a vauge historic background
(Ma Baker and Rasputin)

But as far as Modern Talking goes it just two German (Gay) Guys. Turning their heads around and flashing big smiles and singing the same boring songs.

This is much worse then Frank Farian
Farian has at least a cheesy lush to it.
Daddy Cool is one of the best pimp songs that has been made.

While as Modern Talking I must say yuck....

Let me break it down they were big en Eastern Europe
Germany and Asia.
Their Sound from the 80's was based around the same beat.
The a verse consisting of a maximum of 2sentences and a cathcy chorous.
The only thing that was altered during the singles was basically the words in the chorous (the Rhytm was exactly the same)
and the bridge....

in 1998 the two men were a little slow in catching on to the Euro Techno seen sweeping across Europe. They did it in ET their last breath. Together in the times of 666 and Sash.
What they did now was they upped the BPM a little
got some broke rapper to rap a verse over every single
and made some new flashy viedos flashing their white smiles....

OFcourse it hit
their 3 first singles all reached the TOp5 at least....
but then people started getting tired
it is very easy to beat these songs to death
esp if you like complex songs....

In Eastern europe they bounced back again but their it was still the 80's ALbum that was going strong and not the other...

IN My country this is what we call and immigrant and white trash party music (along with 666 and SAsh)
The young kiddies don't really have to worry about rhytm when dancing to this and then they can focus more on picking up one another
which is part of the explanation why it made it so big
Also I think they got a lot of airplay without anybody really liking them
meaning that the Record Company must of have trusted a lot in their Rebirth......

**sutnop** · November 3rd, 2002, 06:53 AM

Yes this is very tragic
at least
Boney M were creative in their choosing of songs
and their song text had a vauge historic background
(Ma Baker and Rasputin)

But as far as Modern Talking goes it just two German (Gay) Guys. Turning their heads around and flashing big smiles and singing the same boring songs.

This is much worse then Frank Farian
Farian has at least a cheesy lush to it.
Daddy Cool is one of the best pimp songs that has been made.

While as Modern Talking I must say yuck....

Let me break it down they were big en Eastern Europe
Germany and Asia.
Their Sound from the 80's was based around the same beat.
The a verse consisting of a maximum of 2sentences and a cathcy chorous.
The only thing that was altered during the singles was basically the words in the chorous (the Rhytm was exactly the same)
and the bridge....

in 1998 the two men were a little slow in catching on to the Euro Techno seen sweeping across Europe. They did it in ET their last breath. Together in the times of 666 and Sash.
What they did now was they upped the BPM a little
got some broke rapper to rap a verse over every single
and made some new flashy viedos flashing their white smiles....

OFcourse it hit
their 3 first singles all reached the TOp5 at least....
but then people started getting tired
it is very easy to beat these songs to death
esp if you like complex songs....

In Eastern europe they bounced back again but their it was still the 80's ALbum that was going strong and not the other...

IN My country this is what we call and immigrant and white trash party music (along with 666 and SAsh)
The young kiddies don't really have to worry about rhytm when dancing to this and then they can focus more on picking up one another
which is part of the explanation why it made it so big
Also I think they got a lot of airplay without anybody really liking them
meaning that the Record Company must of have trusted a lot in their Rebirth......

**euroflash** · November 3rd, 2002, 10:54 AM

Sutnop,

Personally, I resent your remark about "immigrant and white trash" party music. Music is music, and one genre doesn't necessarily has an upper hand over the other. These sort of comments imply the fallacy that one race can be so inferior that they can like music like MT etc 4/4. Sorry, I don't buy it! :evil:

**Spacer** · November 3rd, 2002, 11:17 AM

Originally Written by sirius

To tell you the truth: MODERN TALKING was

in the 80ies one of the most hated groups

all over Germany...they had so many hits,

but it was terrible...worse than BONEY M.

hm- They STILL ARE one of my most hated groups.
... but everytime I hear "Brother Louis" (on the radio etc) I find myself singing to the music. :roll: I dunno why...

**sutnop** · November 3rd, 2002, 11:20 AM

you must of misunderstood the statement I was trying to make Euroflash....

I do not loaf anybodies race here....

Since How could I be talking down
on both the white trash (which is our native race)
and the immigrants (which come from many different cultures)

What I meant to do was categorize
the music taste/culture

That their part of the youth reprsents in my country

And 666 with Alarma and Paradox and Amok
all sounding the same

is a perfect example of another modern version of MT.

If I am loathing anybody
it would be the class that don't want music to sound complex and complicated.

That think that Brittney Spears and Diana Ross and Madonna
all have as talented voices....

So the only one I am trying to loaf or dishonour is a certain culture in my country or maybe lifestyle is a better word....

So don't come calling me a racicst.....
Anybody who knows me would laugh at that remark...

**martinus** · June 24th, 2003, 12:19 PM

Modern Talking has split again last weekend. Dieter Bohlen wants to have more time for his Estefania and his "Superstar" Projects (the german "Pop Idols").

**Voyage** · June 24th, 2003, 01:54 PM

So they split up definetely forever? I heard some months ago "TV makes the Superstar" and it sounded like their 80s stuff.

I've heard the Superstars are very famous, specially Daniel lol :evil: Is Estefania his new girl or a new artist?

Voyage :P

**martinus** · June 25th, 2003, 07:42 AM

Estefania is his new girlfriend. They met in 2001 at a german final for the Eurovision song contest.
Daniel K. has a Bubblegum/Glam styled sound.
The Superstar winner, Alexander, sings mostly ballads.

**usagi-san** · August 7th, 2003, 09:13 PM

I liked Modern Talking a lot, though my friend from Germany hated them. My favorite song was "Cheri Cheri Lady", with a nice video of them in a mysterious house. I got it from MTV International. I also saw Dieter interviewed on a beach on a tape from my friend from German TV. I have not heard their music of the last few years. Only their first album was available briefly in America; a bit of teen mag promotion but that was about all the media attention they got here.
usagi-san

**Nano** · October 30th, 2003, 08:40 PM

Originally Written by sirius

As similar

was the STOCK,AITKEN & WATERMAN-Thing

as they left the HI-NRG-Gay-Scene and prod.

Kylie, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Mel & Kim,

Nick Kamen, Bros and even Donna Summer or

Sigue Sigue Sputnik.Maybe this was the ruin

of the HI-NRG-Scene...oops Jason Donovan or

Sinitta...the list is endless...like DIETER

Bohlen or maybe Michael Cretu.

Love & Cosmic Kisses From Sirius & Darktunes

Rick Astley, Bananarama, Nick Kamen, SSS, Jason Donovan and early Kylie records were all produced by the same team??? Now I understand!!! :evil: Where could we hang these guys?

And about Modern Talking... they were like vomit to my ears... The songs were not only the same BPM and harmony, they were even in the same key! And over FM stations all over on those years. Bleeeeech!

OK, I must be going now. "Cheri-cheri-lady... na-na-na-nanana..." Oops!! :oops:

**Turbo E** · September 23rd, 2004, 01:45 PM

I still listen to MT almost daily. am I weird?

Lyrics that dont make sense, a catchy beat and chorus. I'm happy.

a friend of mine refused to believe it was two guys singing, even when i showed him the abum cover. :lol

BTW does anyone know of any eurodisco Midi sites? I need some old skool ringtones for my phone.