Jeanny is a song by the Austrian musician Falco, recorded in 1985 and to this very day is viewed as very controversial due to its lyrics.
The song is essentially about a relationship between a man and a girl named Jeanny. At the time when it reached number one, critics said that the song glorifies rape. German TV and radio personality Thomas Gottschalk actually made various negative remarks and called the song “rubbish”. An outcry in German language markets caused the song to be banned by some radio broadcasters or played with a preceding warning by others. Typically, the scandal only helped to increase the sales of the single.
The song is sung in a slightly unhinged voice, but the lyrics don’t actually contain any direct reference to the act of rape or abduction. It is left to the listener’s imagination.
Falco argued that he was indeed inspired by the serious of abduction of young women that was going on at that time in Vienna and that he pretty much was going to explore this difficult thematic, addressing the perpetrator in a slightly standoffish-way, like ‘I know how you think.’ So, it is also essentially about the musings of a stalker. The man that was believed to cause the crimes during the time before and after the song was released in Vienna, was never caught. The five young women until this very day, were never found.
And now, here’s a translation for you guys in English! We tried to translate it as closely to the original meaning of the song as possible ;):
NOTE: Lines in italics were in English in the original German version.
Jeanny, Jeanny…
[spoken] Newsflash, newsflash…
“Official government reports…” (all in English)
Jeanny, Jeanny…
Jeanny, come, come on
Stand up please
You’re getting all wet
It’s getting late, come
We must leave here
Out of the woods
Don’t you understand?Where is your shoe?
You lost it
When I had to show you the way
Which of us lost?
You, yourself?
I, myself?
Or… we ourselves?Jeanny, quit livin’ on dreams
Jeanny, life is not what it seems
Such a lonely little girl in a cold, cold world
There’s someone who needs you
Jeanny quit livin’ on dreams
Jeanny, life is not what it seems
You’re lost in the night
Don’t wanna struggle and fight
There’s someone who needs youIt’s cold
We must leave here
Come
Your lipstick is smeared
You bought it and
And I saw it
Too much red on your lips
And you said, “Leave me alone”
But I saw right through you
Eyes say more than words
You need me, don’t you, hmmmh?
Everyone knows, that we’re together
From today,
Now I can hear them, they are coming!They’re coming!
They are coming to get you.
They won’t find you.
Nobody will find you!
You’re with me.Jeanny quit livin’ on dreams…
[spoken] Newsflash:
In the last months the number of missing persons has dramatically increased. The latest account from the local police reports another tragic case. It is a matter of a nineteen year old girl who was last seen two weeks ago. The police have not excluded the possiblity that a crime has been committed.Jeanny…
Jeanny, quit livin’ on dreams…
Talk to me about Austria 