The song "Moskau," famously associated with the 1980 Olympics, is sung in German.
The Language of "Moskau"
Despite its title referencing the Russian capital, the iconic song "Moskau" by Dschinghis Khan is performed entirely in German. The song was created by a West German band specifically to correspond with the 1980 Olympic Games, which were held in Moscow.
Key Aspects of "Moskau"
To clarify the song's origin and linguistic context, here are its key details:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Language | German |
| Performing Artist | Dschinghis Khan |
| Origin | West German band |
| Historical Context | Created for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow |
| Common Misconception | Often presumed to be in Russian due to its title |
Why German, Not Russian?
The performance in German is directly linked to the band's nationality. Dschinghis Khan was a musical group from West Germany, and their creative output, including "Moskau," naturally reflected their native language. While the song enthusiastically embraces themes of Moscow and Russian culture, the lyrics and vocal performance are consistently in German, distinguishing it from Russian-language music of the era. This background helps clarify why a song named "Moskau" is not sung in Russian, highlighting its unique cross-cultural appeal forged for the international sporting event.
