In this episode, we tuned the radio to the song 99 Luftballons (or 99 Red Balloons) by the band Nena and talked about its connections to nuclear weapons, the Cold War arms race, and anti-nuclear protests. How did the threat of intermediate range nuclear missiles in Europe inspire Nena to write this catchy dirge? What happens when early warning systems confuse 99 balloons for UFOs and nukes? What artist will win their Grammy about the dangers of Gamma Rays? Tim Westmyer and returning special guest Will Saetren (@WillSaetren) answer these questions and more.
Here is a breakdown of the German, English, and direct German-English translation versions:
| German Lyrics | Direct Translation | English Lyrics |
| Hast du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst du vielleicht g’rad an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass so was von so was kommt |
Do you have you some time for me,
if so I’ll sing a song for you about 99 balloons on their way to the horizon. Maybe you’re thinking about me right now if so I’ll sing a song for you about 99 balloons and that such a thing comes from such a thing. |
You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we’ve got Set them free at the break of dawn ’til one by one, they were gone Back at base, bugs in the software Flash the message, “Something’s out there” Floating in the summer sky 99 red balloons go by |
| 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All Darum schickte ein General ‘ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär Dabei war’n da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons |
99 balloons
on their way to the horizon People think they’re UFOs from space so a general sent up a fighter squadron after them Sound the alarm if it’s so but there on the horizon were only 99 balloons. |
99 red balloons
Floating in the summer sky Panic bells, it’s red alert There’s something here from somewhere else The war machine, it springs to life Opens up one eager eye Focusing it on the sky As 99 red balloons go by |
| 99 Düsenjäger
Jeder war ein großer Krieger Hielten sich für Captain Kirk Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons |
99 fighter jets
Each one’s a great warrior Thought they were Captain Kirk then came a lot of fireworks the neighbors didn’t understand anything and felt like they were being provoked so they shot at the horizon at 99 balloons. |
99 Decision Street
99 ministers meet To worry, worry, super-scurry Call out the troops now in a hurry This is what we’ve waited for This is it, boys, this is war The president is on the line As 99 red balloons go by |
| 99 Kriegsminister –
Streichholz und Benzinkanister – Hielten sich für schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer hätte das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons |
99 war ministers
matches and gasoline canisters They thought they were clever people already smelled a nice bounty Called for war and wanted power. Man, who would’ve thought that things would someday go so far because of 99 balloons. |
99 knights of the air
Ride super high-tech jet fighters Everyone’s a super hero Everyone’s a Captain Kirk With orders to identify To clarify and classify Scramble in the summer sky 99 red balloons go by 99 red balloons go by |
| 99 Jahre Krieg
Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger Kriegsminister gibt’s nicht mehr Und auch keine Düsenflieger Heute zieh’ ich meine Runden Seh’ die Welt in Trümmern liegen Hab’ ‘nen Luftballon gefunden Denk’ an dich und lass’ ihn fliegen |
99 years of war
left no room for victors. There are no more war ministers nor any jet fighters. Today I’m making my rounds see the world lying in ruins. I found a balloon, think of you and let it fly (away). |
99 dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon It’s all over and I’m standin’ pretty In this dust that was a city If I could find a souvenir Just to prove the world was here… And here is, a red balloon I think of you and let it go |
Before we hit shuffle on our nuke war mix to lament the death of the INF Treaty, we recommend checking out:
- The Man Who Saved the World (2014 documentary)
- Rush, “Distant Early Warning,” Grace Under Pressure, 1984
- No Nukes: The Muse Concerts for a Non-Nuclear Future (1979)
- Jeffrey Lewis, The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States, 2018
- Eric Schlosser, Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety, 2014
Visit the show resources page on our website for more information on the topics discussed on the podcast episode.
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