Autobahn (song)
"Autobahn" is a 1974 song by German electronic band Kraftwerk, being the second and lead single from their studio album of the same name. The song was composed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider of the band, with Emil Schult collaborating on the lyrics. It was co-produced by Conny Plank, and is the band's first track to use sung lyrics. Recorded in 1974, the song is designed to capture the feel of driving on a motorway. "Autobahn" is Kraftwerk's biggest hit in the US, reaching number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Autobahn"
- "Morgenspaziergang"
- "Kometenmelodie 1"
May 1975
1974
- 22:43 (album version)
- 3:28 (single edit)
- 3:06 (UK single edit)
- Kraftwerk
- Conny Plank
Release and reception[edit]
The original version of the homonymous album of 1974 lasts 22 minutes, but the song was reduced to 3 minutes in its single version. The song was Kraftwerk's first hit, it reached No. 11 on the British charts where it later was included in the UK compilation LP Exceller 8. The single was also successful in other countries; it reached No. 25 in US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 43 in Adult Contemporary. It also reached No. 9 in Germany and No. 12 in Canada. A 12-minute animation video of "Autobahn" by Roger Mainwood was released in 1979.[8] "Autobahn" is widely considered to be one of Kraftwerk's great songs. In 2020, Billboard and The Guardian ranked the song number six and number five, respectively, on its lists of the great Kraftwerk songs.[9][10]