The Message Behind the Music-January 21

Inspiration Behind Rock Me Amadeus:

Falco went to see the film Amadeus in 1984. After this movie, Falco became fascinated with Amadeus. Falco set out to compose a song that would celebrate of genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Reflecting upon the rivalry between Mozart and Antonio Salieri, Falco’s creative juices flowed to mix synth-pop with rap. Once complete, Rock Me Amadeus became a worldwide hit.

Biblical Application:

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ² They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. ⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.

Exegesis of Rock Me Amadeus:

Rock me, rock me, rock me, rock me, rock me, Amadeus

Rock me all the time to the top

If you were inspired by a classical musician, this is not the way you would begin a tribute song. Yet, Falco appears to wonder, “what if Mozart was a rock star?”

Er war ein Punker und er lebte in der großen Stadt
Es war in Wien, war Vienna, wo er alles tat
Er hatte Schulden, denn er trank, doch ihn liebten alle Frauen
Und jede rief: “Yeah, Come on and rock me, Amadeus”

Falco transitions from his native German back to English. Falco refers to Amadeus as the punk rock star of his day. While his weakness for alcohol made his poor, the woman of his day loved him. Sometimes lyrics are secondary to a beat and melody which likely explains why Rock Me Amadeus became a global hit.

Er war Superstar, er war populär
Er war so exaltiert, because er hatte Flair
Er war ein Virtuose, war ‘n Rockidol
Und alles rief: “Yeah, come and rock me, Amadeus”

Falco uses German to celebrate. the greatness of Mozart.

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus
Come and rock me, Amadeus

The bland repetitive song writing didn’t make this song a hit. It was the rhythm and style that moved listeners.

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus (ey!)

Falco was surely obsessed with Amadeus. Perhaps’ Falco’s English was limited at the time of this recording which led to repeating Amadeus over and over again.

Es war um siebzehn-hundert-achtzig und es war in Wien
No plastic money anymore, die Banken gegen ihn
Woher die Schulden kamen, war wohl jedermann bekannt
Er war ein Mann der Frauen, Frauen liebten seinen Punk

Falco provides the historical context of what Amadeus had to overcome. Amadeus rose above these circumstances to be an elite classical musician.

Er war Superstar, er war so populär
Er war zu exaltiert, genau das war sein Flair
Er war ein Virtuose, war ‘n Rockidol
Und alles ruft noch heute: “Come and rock me, Amadeus”

Amadeus was a superstar of his day with flair.

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus
Oh, come and rock me, Amadeus

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus
Come and rock me, Amadeus

Oh, come and rock me, Amadeus

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus (come and rock me, Amadeus)

Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus
Oh, oh, oh, Amadeus (Amadeus, Amadeus)

(Amadeus, Amadeus)

(Ama-ama-ama-amadeus)
(Ama-ama-amadeus)

Oh, come and, come and rock me, Amadeus

Perhaps Falco could have ended this song sooner, but the basic chorus suggests limited English at the time this song was written.

Amadeus (-deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus, -deus)

Final Thoughts:

In the entertainment industry, sex appeal sells average and mediocre products. In the case of Rock Me Amadeus, the lyrics are underwhelming at best. Yet, the sound, beat and unique style made Falco a giant one hit wonder that is still aired on radio stations today.

by Jay Mankus