Alphaville - Big In Japan (Thommys Popshow extra 1984)

40 years ago today, BIG IN JAPAN went all the way to the top of the Official German Singles Chart for the first time! In celebration, we dug up one of our favourite performances of the song that year at 'Thommy's Popshow extra' and had it upgraded!
Enjoy it in a quality you haven’t seen since 1984!
Here is what Marian Gold remembers about this specific performance:
"We arrived in Dortmund the day before the show and of course it was a big hello. Pretty much all the artists from the current top 40 were there. That ended in a delightful collective binge, of which I unfortunately have no memory. Rehearsals began the next morning, which went pretty quickly despite the hangover mood, but Billy Idol's show interlude was quite something, because during his performance he crawled so deeply under the skirt of his bassist lady that nothing was left of his head. The event organisers then, in true German brusqueness, ordered this cute interlude to be omitted during the actual recording. When the show started and Billy and his band stormed onto the stage, pretty much everyone who wasn't backstage in make-up or on the loo at the time was sitting in front of the screens and bets were placed on whether he would repeat his performance from the afternoon. Of course he did. And that's why there's nothing of Billy in the version of the show that was finally broadcast. What a pity."
"Wir kamen einen Tag vor der Show in Dortmund an und natürlich wars ein großes Hallo, weil so ziemlich alle Künstler der aktuellen top 40 vor Ort waren. Das endete dann in einem beglückenden kollektiven Besäufnis, von dem mir leider jede Erinnerung fehlt. Am nächsten Morgen begannen die Proben, das ging trotz Katerstimmung ziemlich fix, aber Billy Idols Showeinlage hatte es in sich, weil er während seines Auftritts der knappbeschürzten Bassistin so tief unter den Rock kroch, bis von seinem Kopf nichts mehr zu sehen war. Die Veranstaltungsleitung verfügte daraufhin in urdeutscher Bräsigkeit, dieses putzige Intermezzo während der eigenlichen Aufzeichnung zu unterlassen. Als es dann losging und Billy mit seiner Band auf die Bühne stürmte, saß so ziemlich alles, was zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht backstage im MakeUp oder auf dem Klo war, vor den Bildschirmen, und es wurden Wetten abgeschlossen, ob er seine Performance vom Nachmittag wiederholen würde. Natürlich wiederholte er. Und das ist der Grund, weshalb in der finalen Version der Show von Billy nichts mehr zu sehen ist. Schade."
Footage licensed from ZDF Studios. All rights reserved.
#alphaville
#biginjapan
#ForeverYoung

[@MichaelYouTuber]

Music will never be better than the 1980's.

[@Rossbott1964]

The 80’s were the best and will never be bettered! No rules no shit no mobiles no technology just an amazing decade with music which will never be bettered and never forgotten!! 💪

[@thebilbe]

Synthesizers were technology :)

[@VEGASMYWAY]

Here here couldn’t say it better myself 👍

[@shenayduffy4043]

Spot on best music films times

[@user-hv1kx9xh3b]

Just before Napster arrives with free download and ruin all industry in 2000

[@user-hv1kx9xh3b]

Sounds like all good melodies been written and played and nothing left for this generation

[@stephaniediaz7057]

I really wish I could go back. So many memories, family alive and together, different morals. The music and movies there are no words to describe the feeling

[@marksanders1034]

Too bad those great days are gone, replaced with mayhem and carnage

[@Catlily5]

For me those days were worse. Wish I could've seen Alphaville then though.​@@marksanders1034

[@Catlily5]

I wish I could have seen Alphaville back then but those days were not better for me.

[@patrickmatiasdecarvalho7852]

Sinto a mesma coisa !

[@SvetlanaSvoboduyaschinu]

​@@marksanders1034❤❤❤ Согласна с Вами!

[@LakhalSabiha-ng1bl]

صوت جميل جدا فنان بمعنى الكلمة مغني موهوب حتى الاغنية لها ٤٠ سنة ومازالت إلى يومنا هذا ٢٠٢٤ مسموعة شكرا لهذا الفنان 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@dorinamihalache6671]

Brilliant for all times 💯💎 Alphaville 1984 🌟🍀💖 Alphaville 2024 💯🏆🎊

[@SandeepGupta-hk8dr]

40 years....❤

[@turcao-bts]

..17 years.....1984....

[@user-bb7bn4ju7h]

Обалдеть 84 🤔а я в первый раз услышал его в 91 году.. И думал это что то новое.. 🤔😁👍👍и до сих пор в восхищении от этой группы 💪💪👍👍☺🤘

[@draxpendragon]

man 1984....feeling My Age now...

[@robertfridekrans2970]

1984 - the best year in music history! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mistersquare7327]

This beautiful song sounds just as good as it did 40 years ago, and even better cause nowadays they don`t make music like that anymore! The true vibe of the 80s!

[@dorinamihalache6671]

Absolutely incredible live performance, massive, beautiful sound, the energy and audience💥.... No matter how long passes, "Big inJapan" 🌟is exceptional and it stays Forever!!!! 💯🌟💎💖🎶

[@pelleoh]

It's playback tho..

[@dorinamihalache6671]

​@@pelleoh this is the 80's, it was considered as live performance due to the presence on stage, but really live singing, that was not depending on the bands and singers of that time. The Organizers of the shows rules as well on TV Shows of the 80's was the same.

[@dorinamihalache6671]

​@@pelleoh let's not argue now please about the live performance, let's admire and enjoy the good music of the best decade 😊🙏, admire Alphaville band back then and now. I've seen them live, last year, on their Symphonic tour with orchestra and I ensure you that Marian can sing live amazing, the concert was awesome, spectacular, Outstanding.

[@mariorossi9887]

it's live only the intro

[@Realmasterorder]

@@pelleoh Dont really matter the song is still amazing and timeless !

[@arminwiemhoff7537]

Mega Sound und Mega guter Hit. ♥️💓👍

[@emymasuzaki8452]

I love Alphaville!!!!❤

[@hugoortiz3805.tucuman]

Excelente.... 1984- 2024 saludos....

[@Lexxenrock]

unglaublich, wir waren alle mal jung, ich verfolge dich und deine Musik schon seit Ewigkeiten, es ist brutal, wie du dich verändert hast Ich liebe deine Musik ...... 😊

[@Mikyr_05]

Even though I'm only 19, this music has gotten into my head so much that I listen to it several times a day... I hope to meet you one day

[@ginterka381996]

I'm 27 and I have goosebumps when I listen 80s music, especially songs like this.

[@jojosguitarreadventure2802]

same

[@pasqualetondo6405]

Anch'io spero di incontrarti il più presto possibile sperando che sei un bel fighetto ❤

[@analiajimenalopez4666]

Wonder band ..thats voice Marian Gold !

[@detto1573]

Die Sendung ging bis in der Nacht....ich war 14 Jahre alt meine Eltern schliefen und die haben mich erst erwischt als ich bei Alphaville die Lautstärke nach oben drehte....😅❤(Papa zu mir, ob ich nicht mehr ganz sauber bin...ich zu him, nein das ist BIG IN JAPAN )😂😂😂Wie geil 👍🙌😍 Danke Alphaville

[@floressence11]

I so love the voice of Marian GOLD!

[@MartaZRAPHAELPH]

40 years of this spectacular song, which will last over time, congratulations and thank you forever♥♥

[@cristianacatalinamedelean4841]

🎼💎💯 Omg ,so beautiful, such a good song ,an eternal gift from Marian, Bernhard and Frank. Millions thanks! I love you so much Marian.. ❤😍💋🔥🌹

[@Silly_Goose68]

Was 16 in 1984. Met my now hubby at school. We used to listen to Alphaville breaktime . Was, is and will always be my favourite band. Victory of love was our song.

[@matejvrbnik6072]

thanks,you too

[@levkvarner9865]

Alphaville is so great. I have always listened to Big in Japan in my car in the 80's.

[@merylenebarrospavao5578]

Ele é lindoo ❤ os cabelos maravilhosos perfeição de rosto, amo❤❤❤

[@dorinamihalache6671]

🌟This is music masterpiece 💎in every single way!!! Catchy sound ✨rhythm ✨phenomenal voice ✨💖.... That's Alphaville!!! 💯💖💎

[@ElenaShapovalova]

Это видео, как гипноз, совершенно покорило меня, как только я его увидела! Много раз смотрела его и сейчас продолжаю смотреть. Само очарование по другую сторону экрана! Благодарю Alphaville за песню и это замечательное выступление, поздравляю с юбилеем и желаю всего самого-самого наилучшего! 🤲🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹! 👏👏👏👏👏! 🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇!

[@alnash1227]

💓👭🏻💓

[@ElenaShapovalova]

@@alnash1227 👋! 🤲☕🍰 🍰☕!

[@allanben9795]

Beautiful music from Alphaville. Ever since I discovered this song, I made it a commitment to be playing it at least two times each week. (Since 2018). They are one of the best music bands ever

[@vessto]

Most beautiful, most talented, most everything. Marian, you are my sweetest pain.

[@hajer-alphaville]

Congratulations on your 40th birthday Alphaville ♾️ 🎹🎶❤️🎊🎉🎂🎁🎈. Thank you for this masterpiece Big In Japan ✨💎💠 and for all your wonderful songs 🎼🎵🎙️🎧 that have accompanied us and continue to entertain us for nearly half a century. You are a legend that cannot be repeated all the members of the band , especially Marian Gold 🥇🪙💫🩵💚❤️

[@marcosaureliocarvalhodossa5249]

Que grande clássico dos anos 80! 😍🕺🏽💃🏽🕺🏽💃🏽🕺🏽💃🏽

[@victoriarv8827]

Grandiosa canción!... Cuánta nostalgia pues yo compré el disco de vinilo de esa maravillosa producción musical y qué guapo eres Marian Gold! 😊😊✨✔️👍🏼😺

[@entidadalan4967]

Soy de los 80's por siempre. Gracias Alphaville❤ (09.04.2024)

[@oljasternberg5763]

Mein Favorit! Bravos !Unsterblich!❤

[@annakatrini6913]

ΤΕΛΕΙΕΣ ΕΠΟΧΕΣ, ΤΕΛΕΙΑ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ!!!

[@thinkpadx60]

no phones, pure clapping, so joyful

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

My 80s my childhood love it miss it so much

[@ErsenAsper]

Wonderful ! I think 80's teens were elite.

[@fabiolaballiu]

Big in Japan = Escapism! I always loved this song.

[@anabellahernandezortega9082]

Thank you Alphaville for this song ,for all your songs❤

[@user-pj4iv1rq6s]

Эта мелодия у меня всегда на слуху 🧏 без никуда 1984 🤷‍♀️

[@user-my2zq2rz2f]

I po raz kolejny zespół i dobre wspomnienia dla mojej. Siostry. Urszuli z. Zabrza❤

[@merylenebarrospavao5578]

Música eternizada Marian muito lindo Essa banda todos maravilhosos❤❤❤

[@Svetlana__SPB]

❤❤❤Музыка 80-х и эта песня 🔥🔥🔥

[@dorinamihalache6671]

🎊🥂Congratulations Alphaville 🌟💖for this memorable day, congratulations for your magnificent music... 🌟To Alphaville💖🌹 with Love💝my number one 🏆 From Baden-Württemberg ✨✨✨✨

[@ttlyfr520]

Estate 1984, mi ricordo questa canzone. Stupenda, molto danse. La sentivamo al bar oppure alle giostre. Sono ricordi indimenticabili. Love from France and italy

[@andreasill8153]

😉😊👍❤👏👏👏 Ich war zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch 13 Jahre alt,als ich die Sendung gesehen habe. Wo sind die Jahre hin ??? Alphaville forever.❤❤❤

[@user-oq2kr5my2m]

Классное время было, золотые годы! 👍🔥💥🎶🎧🇷🇺

[@user-di1gm8us2c]

This is the best version. Super hit!!!

[@hagopkejejian1262]

Unforgettable songs guys ❤

[@michaelk.6182]

Es war eine super Zeit....tolle Popmusik

[@alnash1227]

❤❤❤ It's a real pleasure! Thank you very much!🙏

[@emrullahgokce]

40 years ago today,OMG😮😮😮

[@AngusArtEntertainment]

Thank you so much for 40 years of excellence, from the first single through now, and beyond!

[@user-vk3wr4gu6i]

Мариан лучший! Спасибо за творчество ❤

[@user-nd1rp7ij5g]

Очень харизматичный исполнитель. С удовольствием слушаю. Особенно сейчас. Когда, честно уже нет хороших исполнителей. Невозможно никого слушать. Их песни разрушают и вгоняют в депрессию. От Alphaville у меня вырастают крылья и хочется жить. ❤

[@_Inessa_7]

У Alphaville хорошая энергетика, с ними всегда отличное настроение 😊✨

[@vessto]

​@@_Inessa_7❤️❤️❤️

[@_Inessa_7]

@@vessto 🖐️😊✨💖✨

[@user-cy7mk2fu3m]

You know, as to me you are FOREVER YOUNG!!!❤

[@claylexander6171]

I was 13 in 1984 🙈 Was a fan from this song and on ❤️

[@christianronaldo9899]

❤Danke, dass es euch gibt❤

[@illustriousrocket4476]

An edited version of this performance was one of the first videos I saw when I got into Alphaville's music. It's great to see the original!

[@concettamaccarrone8050]

All keyboardists can play with both hands at the same time.Some of them stop playing with one hand for a few seconds to be able to move the other hand while dancing.Probably,Bernhard is the only person who has ever managed to move one hand in a harmonious way while playing with the other.The videos"Big in Japan-Thommy's Pop Show 1984"and"Big in Japan Extended 12" Version Edit"are the ones in which Bernhard's incredible movements are seen most clearly.They show the same performance,differ from each other only in the quantity and arrangement of the scenes.Without the contribution of a plot,changes of clothes,extras,studiously unusual things and scenes,three wonderful boys turned the footages of one of their own performances into two of the most beautiful videos in the history of music.Some versions of"Big in Japan"and the two videos of its extended 12"version edit are among Alphaville's jewels that deserve to be kept with extreme care.It is nice that their own sounds and images have been preserved and made clearer with remastering and restoration.

[@dorinamihalache6671]

👍😊Yes, Bernhard has cool movements while playing his keyboard! 🎹🕺 Even Frank is moving while playing at keyboard!!😁👍Usually stand still and ice cool. But on this stage, the enthusiasm of Alphaville is obvious!!! This is one video of Alphaville band that I like the most. 👍💖🎉 My regards to you 🤗💖🌷🌷🌷🖐️😊

[@concettamaccarrone8050]

​@@dorinamihalache6671Hello,dear Dorina! 🤗💖🌹🌹🌹 During some performances,Frank played the keyboard without making any other movements,perhaps out of shyness.In an interview,he said:"I am shy.And I don't like to talk,I prefer to look and listen.Marian and Bernhard talk quite enough."Geniuses seek simplicity in everything.Also for this reason they only speak when necessary or when asked a question.Marian and Bernhard don't talk much,Frank is essential.Chatty people have never brought any progress.They would not have been able to invent even the simplest things,such as the chair and the table.Many artists move a lot during shows,concerts and filming music videos.But they have never done anything interesting in their lives,they couldn't compose good songs even by copying those of the past.Their brains don't move at all as much as their bodies.Instead,Marian,Bernhard and Frank proved that their outward liveliness reflected their lively intelligence.For example,Frank co-wrote the wonderful songs of"Forever Young",the best album of all time,before he turned 22.

[@seungministax3824]

I'm 17 and I love this song, I love Alphaville ❤

[@ginterka381996]

❤ I'm 27 and I love them too.

[@mirelaramona4393]

April 2024 still Love it ❤

[@alnash1227]

💥Одно из самых ярких и эмоциональных выступлений Alphaville! 💓И один из самых запоминающихся сценических образов. Я очень рада,что самое популярное видео Alphaville теперь опубликовано на его официальном сайте. 🎉Мои поздравления!🎉 👏👏👏🥰

[@1963Victory]

My favorite band of all time, Alphaville ❤

[@celine7190]

La chance ceux qui ont pu le voir en concert a cette époque moi j'avais que 5 ans '''' et j'adore trop 👍👍👍👍👍💪💪💪💪

[@user-xd1fx5eo4r]

Bellissima canzone, voce meravigliosa. 😍♥️♥️🎶🎶💖💖

[@user-wd5ok4pb6n]

Super cool marian ❤❤

[@fatimasintonia5709]

Brilhante em qualquer lugar, ano ou século. Extraordinário. Música atemporal. Eu amo Marian Golden eternamente. From Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@user-lm8vu8jc4s]

Привет из России с любовью! ❤🎉

[@jasonmussett2129]

I was fourteen when I bought this record. Timeless 👍

[@drag1967]

80s.. the best!

[@mapibieto5965]

La mejor música de todos los tiempos.

[@joserosa1420]

I love the song

[@NordTraveler]

1975 - 1990 самое музыкальное время на Планете Земля!❤❤❤

[@taniaportillo9799]

Yo tenia 1 año en 1984. Amo a Alfhaville....enamorada de Marian Gold🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤

[@RozymeireAraujo-jf4mn]

AMO ❤❤❤❤

[@user-pf5ei7hv9h]

Браво!👏

[@anaisastipp1432]

A melhor banda de todos os tempos ❤❤❤❤❤ e a melhor música ❤❤❤

[@DanaLumi]

Grazie Alphaville!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gabrielapereira6603]

LOVE THIS❤❤❤❤❤

[@neusapaixao653]

MARAVILHOSO. NÃO ME CANSO DE OUVIR ❤❤🍊🍊🧡🧡🎼🎼

[@user-rx4sd7ff4t]

Cudowne lata osiemdziesiąte i Alphaville na samym szczycie popularności cudowne przeboje niezapomniane brawo❤❤❤

[@cinthiaibanez4066]

Love it❤I am from Boliva and love them 🎉❤

[@monicabaudino1991]

Forever

[@xrysoulaveresoglou8679]

Ημουν 14χρονων τοτε σημερα ειμαι 54,i love this song

[@dorgetfamille4801]

Toute ma jeunesse.❤

[@cristianacatalinamedelean4841]

Love this video, love Big in Japan, love Marian! ❤

[@Userfox-if4tb2ln2v]

До сих пор стоит в телефоне на вызов 👍🔥

[@alexiscarrasco2063]

Son los más grandes de todo los tiempos, su música no pierde vigencia.

[@candiceeyraud7029]

❤👍

[@dorinamihalache6671]

I just love 💓😘Marian's stage presence!!! 🤗😘💓🌹🌹🌹✨✨✨

[@didikdoang7628]

Apart ftom Forever Young , this is one of my favorite songs.

[@hlektra999]

Just came home from cycling and listening to Alphaville! What else can I ask? 🥰

[@martadankking1240]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤amo esse vídeo! Amo Marian! Great Alphaville!

[@alnash1227]

💓I will wait here for my man tonight...✌🏻🥰

[@dorinamihalache6671]

👍😊🎊 "it's easy when you're Big in Japan" 🎶🧚✨🧚✨😍😍

[@alnash1227]

@@dorinamihalache6671 💓👭🏻💓

[@The_Earth_is_my_home]

Nel gergo dei tossicodipendenti Tedeschi degli anni '80 "il mio uomo" era lo spacciatore.👋🏻🌺🌺🌺

[@victorbekey3863]

Esto es espectacular!!

[@AleMathe]

This is a CLASIC 80s!!

[@user-us8yl1vr3z]

В 1985-86 гонял эти песни на бабинах. И в класс я ходил 6й. Как меня таращило от этих мелодий...

[@michemiche1895]

Superbe superbe chanson forever 🕺💃🎸🚘🏍❤🙏👍

[@michemiche1895]

👍💃🕺

[@user-om1qt1ki4y]

Я служил в ГСВГ и первый раз увидел эту песню по тв❤

[@dugueperouxjerome2007]

❤ , les années new wave ❤

[@candidosiqueira7828]

Incrível esse som ❤🎸 com esse shouzaso de palco 🎸🎤🎵 super 💯🎸