3 Foreign-Language One-Hit Wonders That Prove It’s Not All About the Lyrics

Around the world, many people in many foreign lands are exposed to—and embrace—American songwriting. Those songs, which are most often in English, find far off places where the native tongue may not be English. But sometimes that trend is reversed and songs make their way to the United States from other countries and top the charts all the same.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. A trio of tracks that were popular in the U.S. but that were not discernible unless you know other languages, like German. Indeed, these are three foreign language one-hit wonders that prove it’s not all about the lyrics.

[RELATED: 3 Energetic One-Hit Wonders That Are Perfect To Dance Along To]

“99 Luftballons” by Nena from 99 Luftballons (1984)

Despite the fact this song from Nena was released originally in German, that didn’t stop it from hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In fact, American audiences preferred that one over the English rendition, which did not chart. The singer Nina, who fronted the West German band by the same name, sings passionately over a rhythmic beat. And the song is about those red balloons flying up and over the famed Berlin Wall in Germany that separated the western and eastern parts of the city. Sings Nena in German,

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht grad an mich?
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und, dass sowas von sowas kommt

“Asereje” by Las Ketchup from Hijas del Tomate (2002)

A supremely and sublimely catchy song, this was the debut single from the Spanish pop group Las Ketchup. It’s about singing and dancing and having a good time. But it’s delivered in a sultry, sticky style. The song was a global hit, taking the top spot on charts in nearly two-dozen countries (although it only peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100). It was also the best-selling track of 2002. And on the tune, Las Ketchup (what a name!) sings,

Mira lo que se avecina
A la vuelta de la esquina
Viene Diego rumbeando
Con la luna en las pupilas
Y en su traje agua marina
Van restos de contrabando

Y donde más no cabe un alma
Allí se mete a darse caña
Poseído por el ritmo ragatanga
Y el DJ que lo conoce
Toca el himno de las doce
Para Diego la cancion más deseada
Y la baila, y la goza y la canta

“Gangnam Style” by Psy from Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1 (2012)

This song, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, might have kicked off the K-Pop revolution. But while many songs from groups like BTS today feature English (see: “Butter”), this one is in Korean. The success of the track is therefore related to Psy’s delivery and dance moves in the music video. And on the boisterous song, the energetic artist sings out,

Najeneun ttasaroun inganjeogin yeoja
Keopi hanjanui yeoyureul aneun, pumgyeok inneun yeoja
Bami omyeon simjangi tteugeowojineun yeoja
Geureon banjeon inneun yeoja

Photo by Scherhaufer / ullstein bild via Getty Images