French-German relationship in pop songs
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007
Germany and France in spite of being neighbours are not always friendly to each another. I guess, you could say that to all the countries in Europe. But the two huge Western countries have this love and hate relationship that is evident through all the many centuries.
During the first world war they were at odds and Germany lost the region Lorraine, Alsace-Lorraine, forever to France. After World War II, though the Vichy government cooperated with the Nazi Germany, most of the French people still harbour a bit of dislike to the Germans.
A couples of years watching a documentary on the aftermaths of WW2, a former Wehrmacht soldier, an Austrian, revealed how his nationality saved him from the invading French soldiers, who tried to arrest as many as possible Nazi soldiers.
Even today, this attitude persists. Maybe, I am just used to hearing Austrians’ disgust over the Germans. Sometimes it has come to a point of being ridiculous and some people try to humour the relationship. After all, you can say that Austria and Germany is to Canada and the United States of America.
The German band Wir Sind Helden, a play on David Bowies’ German rendition of “Heroes,” wrote “Aurelie,” a song about the difference between German and French flirting and relationships. It is actually an advice written by singer/guitarist Judith Holofernes to her French friend Aurélie Audemar that touches the cultural aspect of finding love between the two countries.
It is actually a byproduct of Judith’s humour “Aurélie,” from the band’s debut album “Die Reklamation.” In the song she talks about that love, the German way, needs time and unlike the French, Germans are very subtle. They don’t show their feelings right away.
But I must say it is also valid to every man. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you are. It doesn’t matter if you are a German or a French. Dating and then falling in love is one tricky game.
Wir Sind Helden started touring in Paris this year to promote their new album “Soundso.” The band, aside from Tokio Hotel, has been heralded as fabulous by Arte, a Franco-German channel.
