World Cup mania in the German singles chart: Shakira’s "Waka Waka", K’naan’s "Wavin’ Flag" and various other football/African themed songs - "Gimme Hope Joachim" by Basta (self-explanatory) and "Helele" by Velile & Safri Duo, which I immediately recognised as "Aie a Mwana" with new lyrics. Once a Bananarama fan, always a Bananarama fan :))
Down in the very lower reaches of the chart there are some old footie-themed songs too - "Zeit, Dass Sich Was Dreht" by Herbert Grönemeyer Feat. Amadou & Mariam, and bizarrely "Three Lions" which has always been popular in Germany of all places!
Although Britain doesn’t seem too interested in OneRepublic anymore, they have been doing well in Europe this year, firstly with "All The Right Moves" (one of my favourite songs of 2010) and now the uptempo "Marchin’ On" which proves that there’s more to the band than just Tedder-ballads.
One of the great things about checking out the European charts is that you occasionally discover some other non-European acts who may have escaped your attention. Robert Francis, climbing the chart with "Junebug", is an American singer who I’d never heard of until now. Musically he’s not reinventing the wheel, but this song was unusual enough to grab my attention. And being totally shallow here, I think I’m just a little bit in love with him. So allow me a completely shallow moment here, and a gratuitous picture of Mr Francis.
Lena-mania seems to have faded a little, as "Satellite" has begun its descent down the chart and her other songs which previously charted around the time of Eurovision are now nowhere to be seen. But it's time for her new single "Touch A New Day", and it will be interesting to see how well that does.
Of course the "summer hit" is alive and well in Germany - in previous years we’ve had Culcha Candela and Marquess bringing some summer musical vibes, this year it’s Der Checker with "Checker Der Vollstrecker" which has the kind of beach-themed video you’d expect from the ragga-style track.
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