Language Choices of International Rock Bands: The Case of Scorpions and Europe
When it comes to international rock bands like Scorpions and Europe, the language of choice during performances often diverges from their native tongue in favor of English. This phenomenon reflects broader musical trends, where the global nature of rock music necessitates widespread accessibility, particularly through the use of English, a widely spoken and understood language in the music industry.
The Scorpions: An Example of English Dominance
Scorpions, a German band, exemplify this trend. While they have released songs in German, these are not common in their live performances. When they perform in Germany or in foreign non-English speaking countries, they predominantly sing in English. The choice to perform in English enhances the band's international appeal and ensures that a greater audience can enjoy their music without language barriers.
For instance, during a concert in Germany, the band typically sticks to English, appealing to a broader audience. Some argue that performing in German would potentially limit their audience to German speakers, making it harder to reach a more international fanbase. However, even when they did release a German album, Die Love, it featured only one German language song, "Ende”, underscoring their preference for English English for live performances and general music production.
Europe: Remaining True to English
Another example is the Swedish band Europe. Similar to Scorpions, Europe primarily sings in English, a strategy that enhances their global appeal. Their hit song, The Final Countdown, is a robust example of this. While they may occasionally incorporate elements of their native Swedish into their music, such as in special performances or albums, they consistently opt for English in their live shows and recorded music.
As the band's lead singer, Joey Tempest, has often highlighted, singing in English is a strategic move that helps ensure their music resonates with audiences worldwide. Even when performing in Europe, the band's live shows are predominantly in English, reflecting their commitment to maintaining a universal language for their music.
Insights from Personal Experiences
Reflecting on personal experiences, the author has attended concerts of bands like Nightwish and Sabaton, where language trends were evident. Nightwish, a Finnish band, predominantly performed in English on their tour of Australia, with one Finnish song performed due to the former lead singer, Floor Jansen, being fluent in Finnish. Similarly, Sabaton, a Swedish band, performed almost exclusively in English in Australia, despite some songs originally being in Swedish. This demonstrates the band's strategic use of English for international performances, illustrating the industry-wide trend of using English as the predominant language.
A noteworthy anecdote from a Nightwish concert highlights the occasional use of Finnish, but it remains an exception. In the case of Sabaton, the concert featured almost exclusively English lyrics, even though some songs and an entire album were originally recorded in Swedish. The band's lead vocalist, at the time, Joakim Brodén, occasionally sang in Swedish, but it was a rare occurrence in their live shows.
Historical Context
Forty years ago, ABBA, a Swedish band, exemplified a similar trend. Initially recording in Swedish, they soon transitioned to singing in English due to its global appeal. ABBA's tours and recordings predominantly featured English songs, with some Spanish recordings for specific markets. This transition reflected the band's strategy to reach a broader international audience, a trend that Scorpions, Europe, and other rock bands continue to follow.
The consistent use of English by rock bands, especially for live performances, is a strategic decision that prioritizes global accessibility and universal appeal. While bands like Scorpions and Europe occasionally incorporate their native languages into their music, the use of English remains the dominant language for both live shows and recordings, ensuring that their music is enjoyed by a global fanbase.