Kraftwerk Songs Ranked
Kraftwerk (German: [ˈkʁaftvɛɐ̯k], lit. “power station”) is a German band formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Widely considered as innovators and pioneers of electronic music, they were among the first successful acts to popularize the genre. The group began as part of West Germany’s experimental krautrock scene in the early 1970s before fully embracing electronic instrumentation, including synthesizers, drum machines, and vocoders. Here are all of Kraftwerk songs ranked.
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16. The Telephone Call (Electric Café, 1987)
“What an interesting song.The band uses common phone sounds along with lyrics describing their use of the phone.Simple,funny,amusing,thoughtful.I thought it was Pink Floyd intro from Wall album at first.”
15. Spacelab (The Man-Machine, 1978)
” A serene, spacey song that reminds me of the “sound-scaping” of Jean Michel-Jarre or Tangerine Dream. The beat accompaniment has similar vigor and timbre to that of The Robots, but it is more gentle and sophisticated. At times, the beat is more symphonic than it is dance-y. The melody is sad and lonely at time, as if the astronauts on Spacelab might be lonely in their space station. The lyrics in this song are very sparing, and just say “Space…Lab…” occasionally with very thick vocal distortion.”
14. Metal On Metal (Trans-Europe Express, 1977)
“Metal On Metal” starts slightly faster but soon becomes a bit of a continuation of the previous track, but with some echoey percussion and some noises like tightening something metallic. “Abzug” continues the “suite” form of the tracks from the title track onwards, repeating the title phrase over and over and using some of the same melody.”
13. Europe Endless (Trans-Europe Express, 1977)
“Europe Endless” is nine minutes of addictive electronic sounds, like a train getting to its cruising speed and just chugging on. It is a highly minimalist track, also very futuristic (even now). Vocals are only occasional, as they are throughout the album.”
See more; Kraftwerk Albums Ranked
12. Neon Lights (The Man-Machine, 1978)
“This is a happier song that to me seems to reflect like a happy, relaxing night out on the town with friends. A night in a paradise city that is lit up with cheerful lights at night, and full of friendly people. The tones, beats, and lyrics suggest this.”
11. Metropolis (The Man-Machine, 1978)
“This song might be referring to the German movie “Metropolis,” though I’m not sure. As with Spacelab is just has sparse lyrics that occasionally say “Me…tro..polis,” and that’s it. The melodies kind of morph from one thing to another, rather like some of the most abstract experimental electronica does today. The sounds have very rich timbre in this song, making them seem symphonic, and like the Kraftwerk, musicians spent a lot of time designing the exact timbre of every little sound.”
10. Tour de France (Tour de France, 2003)
“What a fun song to watch people break dance too. I guess I am stuck in the 80’s 🙂 I still remember watching the break dancing on the side walk at lunch.”
9. Home Computer (Computer World, 1981)
“Kraftwerk was always a favorite. Originals of electronica. Very edgy, but artistic at the same time. Heard this as part of a DJ set list, wanted and acquired.”
8. Trans-Europe Express (Trans-Europe Express, 1977)
“”Trans-Europe Express” was actually written as a result of meeting with David Bowie and references his “Station To Station” both musically with that chugging, train sound and lyrically, when Hütter mentions meeting “Iggy Pop und David Bowie”
7. Computer World (Computer World, 1981)
“Computers and technology were always the subject of their albums, now we have a great album all about computers. These tracks are more dance tunes compared to the previous works, in my opinion. Very catchy and fun.”
See more: U2 Albums Ranked
6. The Man Machine (The Man-Machine, 1978)
“This song is again more abstract like Spacelab and Metropolis are. The lyrics are minimal, and say “….Man….Machine” with thick distortion of the voice, and some other lyrics that I have difficulty understanding because they are so heavily distorted. The tones of the voice start low pitched a rise up, giving them a gigantic and ominous attitude. The beat in the background is somewhat similar to The Robots. In some ways this song is like a reprise to The Robots.”
5. The Robots (The Man-Machine, 1978)
“The chorus contains the repetitive chant “We are the Robots” with voice distortion, and it sounds very sinister as if the robots are planning to take over the world. In the verses, they say that they will do anything you want them to do, and then there are also Russian lyrics about the robots being your slave and your worker. The electronic accompaniment has a very wet and fluid sound to it, especially considering it was made with 1970’s equipment. The song is 6:12 long.”
4. Computer Love Computer World, 1981)
“This is my favorite easily. Yes more than Autobahn. It has such beautiful melodies, and it doesn’t need to go on for 20 minutes to take you somewhere else. Autobahn is a close second, but this is brilliant beyond words and will never change. I also like Coldplay’s take on it, but Kraftwerk do it in a way that is much more hypnotic. I can listen to it forever!”
3. The Model (The Man-Machine, 1978)
“Far less abstract than Spacelab and Metropolis, this sound contains lots of lyrics, and is about a professional model, but the attitude about the professional model is pessimistic, and seems to suggest the objectification, commercialization and shallow attitude that society had back then (and still does today) about models. The beat is kind of happy and perky like the model would appear to be, but is also accompanied by long heavier tones that bring about the pessimistic attitude and real consequences that Kraftwerk wants to communicate.”
2. Radioactivity (Radioactivity, 1975)
“Ralf and Florian definitely had a vision and proceeded methodically to produce some of the most groundbreaking electronic music later to be the inspiration for practically all electronic driven music. Pioneers and prophets, and a great background story if you’re interested. Like Iggy Pop said this is music for you to listen to in your own space.”
1. Autobahn (Autobahn, 1974)
“It’s amazing to think how the did all these amazing effects with equipment at the time. I really love the son Autobahn, it great to drive to. Fun fact: the lyrics for the song actually mean drive on the autobahn not as some may think fun on the autobahn. But I love it either way”