GDR music charts – The Top 20 hits at our listening station
When you walk into our WBS 70 prefab apartment, you'll quickly feel like you've been transported back to everyday life in the GDR – from the sofa to the Carat wall unit to the dining table right next to the characteristic kitchen hatch. A particular favourite among guests is the listening station in the living room, where visitors can immerse themselves in the most popular GDR hits and songs that once filled living rooms via radios and record players.
Whether it's Puhdys, Karat or Veronika Fischer, the music world of the GDR was diverse and emotional. Many visitors linger at the station for a long time, reviving memories or discovering the music of that era for the first time. We are asked again and again: Which songs can actually be heard there?
That's why we're presenting the top 20 songs from our listening station's GDR charts in this article. They reflect musical favourites from several decades – sometimes rock, sometimes soulful, sometimes danceable.
Enjoy rediscovering them or discovering them for the first time!
The top 20 songs from our exhibition
#1: Ein himmelblauer Trabant – Sonja Schmidt
In 1970, Sonja Schmidt scored a real hit with her pop song »Ein himmelblauer Trabant« (A Sky-Blue Trabant). The song combines everyday life in the GDR with a longing for mobility in a catchy melody – no wonder it made it to number 1 in our museum charts.
#2: Der blaue Planet – Karat
In 1981, the pop/rock song »Der blaue Planet« (The blue planet) was ahead of its time. An ecological-political ballad with a spherical sound, it became one of the most significant pieces of music in the GDR.
#3: Schattenkreuze – Karussell
With a dark atmosphere and profound lyrics, the pop/rock »Schattenkreuze« (Shadow crosses) was released in 1989, striking a chord with the spirit of the times.
#4: 100 mal Berlin – Helga Hahnemann
In 1987, the cult figure of East German television presented the humorous hit song »100 mal Berlin« (100 times Berlin) about her hometown. Authentic, direct and absolutely Berlin.
#5: Sonderzug nach Pankow – Udo Lindenberg
In 1983, Udo Lindenberg shook the Wall musically with his cheeky pop/rock song »Sonderzug nach Pankow« (Special train to Pankow). The West German export aimed at the GDR made it right into the heart of the East – and into our Top 5.
#6: Perlen im Haar – Omega
A Hungarian original that also thrilled audiences in the GDR in 1969. The hit song »Perlen im Haar« (Pearls in my hair) combines melancholic sounds with romantic imagery – and remains a perennial favourite on the East German charts.
#7: Spielverderber – Inka
In 1985, Inka Bause landed a real earworm with this hit »Spielverderber« (Spoilsport), which remains in people's minds to this day with its cheeky tone and danceable rhythm. GDR pop in its purest form.
#8: Es gibt ein Leben vor dem Tod – Wolf Biermann
With his 1975 songwriter title »Es gibt ein Leben vor dem Tod« (There is life before death), Biermann delivered a poetic but also political appeal to life – honest, uncomfortable and timelessly relevant.
#9: Sandmann, lieber Sandmann – Rundfunk-Kinderchor Berlin
Probably the best-known hit for little ones dates back to 1959 and has accompanied generations of children to bed to this day. A lullaby that achieved cult status.
#10: Mix mir einen Drink – Feeling B
Released in 1988, the punk track »Mix mir einen Drink« (Mix me a drink) encapsulates anarchic charm and wild enthusiasm. Feeling B is exemplary of the subversive sound of the East German punk scene – raw, loud, legendary.
#11: Der Himmel schweigt – Petra Zieger
The dramatic, sombre hit »Der Himmel schweigt« (The sky is silent) was released in 1984, showcasing Petra Zieger's unmistakable voice and securing her a permanent place in the GDR charts.
#12: Langstreckenlauf – Puhdys
With powerful sound and metaphorical depth, the Puhdys delivered the pop/rock song »Langstreckenlauf« (Long-distance running) in 1975 that has lost none of its energy to this day.
#13: Als ich fortging – Karussell
The pop song »Als ich fortging« (When I left) was released in 1987 and is still considered one of the most emotional GDR ballads with goose bump factor. The lyrics were written by Gisela Steineckert, who was president of the GDR's Committee for Entertainment Arts at the time. She was thus both an artist and a functionary.
#14: Doch die Gitter schweigen – Puhdys
In 1979, the pop/rock legends addressed the silence in everyday life in the song »Doch die Gitter schweigen« (But the bars are silent), which was critical of the system. A piece of GDR history in musical form.
#15: Bataillon d’Amour – Silly
With its emotional depth and poetic power, this song thrilled fans of the rock band Silly, fronted by Tamara Danz, in 1986. One of the band's mixing desks from back then is now part of our collection.
#16: Der Mann mit dem Panamahut – Nina Lizell
In 1973, the Swedish singer thrilled audiences with her catchy pop song »Der Mann mit dem Panamahut« (The man with the Panama Hat), which not only painted a fashionable picture, but also remained a musical classic.
#17: Plattengott – Freygang
In 1987, the blues rock band Freygang, led by André Greiner-Pol, summed up musical anger and social criticism with this track »Plattengott« (Record god), bringing a genuine piece of subculture from the GDR into the charts.
#18: Disco in Moskau – Die Toten Hosen
With plenty of punk power and West-East irony, the Düsseldorf band released this catchy tune in 1986. The song shows that political satire can also be danceable.
#19: Rennsteiglied – Herbert Roth
A classic from 1953 and one of the most famous hits in the GDR. This anthem to the Thuringian Forest deservedly made it to number 19 in our museum charts.
#20: Komm doch mit – Amor & die Kids
This charming hit »Komm doch mit« (Come along) was released in 1987 and won the hearts of fans with its light-hearted melody and children's choir sound. Ideal for nostalgics – and surprisingly suitable for festivals.
