Kraftwerk's Autobahn: Understanding the Pioneers of Electronic Music

Prepare your popcorn! Embark on an in-depth exploration of Autobahn, one of the most seminal electronic music albums ever created. This profound 1974 classic not only served as a forerunner to techno music, but also represented one of the most significant artistic contributions to the musical landscape of that decade.🚀
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Love, Claudio & The Doctor Mix Team
#Kraftwerk #Autobahn #synthesizer

[@Doctormix]

🚀Ready to elevate your music production skills? Get my 'Music Producer Gold Guide' now at 25% off for a limited time only! 👉 GoldGuide.uk

[@gameboypocket9038]

Your "Fun Fun Fun"-Theory is very wrong, "Fahren" = "Driving" in Germany, so your little Beach Boy Reference ist just a happy little accident :)

[@gameboypocket9038]

As you thought about, what they sing about on Autobahn, here is a little translation: We are driving on the Autobahn In front of us is a wide valley The sun is shining with glittering rays The driving strip is a grey track White stripes, green edge We are switching the radio on From the speaker it sounds: We are driving on the Autobahn Obviously it rhymes in German, haha

[@InSurrealtime]

Phase shifter has a very hypnotic effect. I use it all the time.

[@gps4l184]

@@gameboypocket9038 Exactly and the part Dr Mix asked for Die Fahrbahn ist ein graues band, weise strife, grüner rand (20:58)

[@MojoSpoon]

@20.58: "Die Fahrbahn ist ein graues Band, weisse Streifen, grüner Rand" and means: "The roadway is a gray band, white stripes, green border"

[@hschieck]

In 1974 I was 5 years old and whenever "Autobahn" was on the radio I was like glued to the speaker. In consequence, "Autobahn" was my very first music cassette. Significantly, I didn't have a stereo at the time, but an old "Blaupunkt" car radio with a cassette slot built into a wooden box by my dad. The cassette has survived all the years and is still safely sitting in my cupboard.

[@j.maxell3030]

Después de escuchar el Synthetizer Man/ Freedom Day de Jarre 1972 nada de Kraftwerk sorprendía o llamaba la atención...😉 En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@flufycat2748]

My dad build also speaker for me.!

[@hschieck]

@@flufycat2748 The speakers to my car radio where the old car speakes built into cigar boxes. Definitely not high end, but better than nothing. Those were the days ...

[@flufycat2748]

Why you was 5 years În '74??.. Like me?? 😄

[@hschieck]

@@flufycat2748 Class of '69 - at least we enjoyed the 80th at its fullest. 😁

[@bluebull399]

Can you just imagine being alive in the 70's and hearing this for the first time. Amazing.

[@galier2]

Yes, I can. I have good memory.

[@unclemick-synths]

​@@galier2 me too

[@user-du1yk7uk9v]

I was there and sincerely did not impress me too much ..there were LOTS of better music back then.....basically some kids nowadays listen to electronic music thinkin that is something new (ignorance) but it's as new or as old like rock..funk...disco....prog...hard-rock/heavy-metal....new wave...soul...hip hop....fusion...electronic etc....every modern genre was invented in the 70's (or in the 70's it was developed at its max)

[@davidchristensen6908]

Yes I can I was there.

[@Cl4rendon]

Yes i can - We perceived it different than today though.

[@artuskoenich8377]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1256">20:56</a> the lyrics are: "fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, die Fahrbahn ist ein graues Band. Weiße Streifen, grüner Rand." which translates to "drive, drive, drive, the road is a grey band, white stripes, a green roadside" Love your analyses ❤

[@PascalBlondiau]

I was waiting for someone to correct that ;-) Nice analysis, though, as always with much enthusiasm in it.

[@karlp8484]

When you drive along an autobahn, it's almost mesmerising. And I think the trees on both sides (Germany is extremely forested) , are somehow evoked in the later stages. But the speed on autobahns are very high and that's even projected at certain points in the music.

[@ewetoo]

vielen dank

[@dannynysus]

No distinction is made between the present simple and present continuous tenses in German, so "(wir) fahren" can mean both "(we) drive" and "(we are) driving"

[@srh2301]

"Fun fact": There was a german Beach boys cover band in the eighties which did a cover version of "Fun Fun Fun" which actually utilizes the similar sounding and uses "Fahrn Fahrn Fahrn" in the chorus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/al7Xg6mwoN2ljZY

[@tomhekker]

I love how Kraftwerk gets almost 100% electrically created sounds to sound human. It’s really what sets them apart from everyone else.

[@j.maxell3030]

El que le dió 120% humanidad a la Electrónica fue Moroder...no el Krautrock & Ruido Dusseldorft de Conny Plank (Kraftwerk). En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@miloshp7399]

Human? Please verify that you're not a robot.

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

​@@miloshp7399We are all just in the universal machine.

[@Cold-1]

"Fahrn auf der Autobahn" translates to "Drive on the Highway". It has nothing to do with "fun"!

[@jochenreich683]

So siehtz aus😃🚙🛻🚛🚐🚗

[@compfox]

Ja, aber wenn es schon so eine Koinzidenz gibt, warum sie nicht mitnehmen?

[@jochenreich683]

@@compfox stimmt👍

[@unduloid]

"Fahr'n" sounds like "fun," but it's just a coincidence.

[@madyogi6164]

Not, if you can't grab the Beach boys context...

[@josephramone5805]

Without doubt or argument, this is THE ALBUM that brought electronic music into the mainstream conscience. I remember very clearly that I was getting my haircut by a Brazilian "stylist" when I first heard this album circa 1974-5. It was during the Disco era and his salon in NYC had a very Euro vibe, mostly decorated in chic black and white decor. He would spin vinyl, and most of it obscure. When this record came on, I was transfixed. This "new" robotic music that the guy was playing was my doorway into Larry Fast and his Synergy experiments, as well as other electronic artists. Long live Kraftwerk!!

[@X22GJP]

TUBULAR BELLS TUBULAR BELLS II - perhaps the greatest ever sequel to an album ever made. Loved the Autobahn analysis Claudio, very insightful and makes you really appreciate the nuances and complex simplicities!

[@jayceeloop]

Tubular Bells II manages to go above the original and beyond! Love it lots

[@TechnoBillyD]

Totally Agree

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Oldfield is criminally underrated.

[@michael1234252]

Tubular Bells is one great album and kickstarted Richard Branson's Virgin record label as well as his Virgin brand. That album also kickstarted Mike Oldfield's career.

[@ZZZer00]

One of my all time favourites

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

The last album they recorded and mixed at the Conny Plank studio :) It was even Conny's idea to add sounds that sounded like cars passing by. This man was quintessential for shaping the Sound of Kraftwerk in their early years and the mixes of the first 3-4 Albums (Kraftwerk, Kraftwerk 2, Ralf & Florian and Autobahn) are AMAZING. I think there's even a quadrophonic Mix of Autobahn. There is an incredible spacial feeling in Conny's mixes which i love so much. Also fun fact, the sound of the Car starting at the beginning is a foley sound that was also often heard in the german Audio Drama series "Die Drei ???" based on the original series about the 3 detectives by Alfred Hitchcock.

[@j.maxell3030]

En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock y su productor Conny Plank. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@lowandodor1150]

LoveLoveLove his companionship with Moebius & Roedelius and their CLUSTER & HARMONIA records.

[@giddyaunt9953]

I love the idea that they are quoting the Beach Boys with "Fahren" in place of "Fun" but I did hear that a member of Kraftwerk had denied that they had that in mind. So maybe, maybe not

[@Doctormix]

Yes, I always remember the story but I see how this could be speculation. Thanks for the comment! C

[@Emlizardo]

Anybody whose read interviews with those guys knows they were great comedians and tricksters, hardly ever giving a straight answer to any question.

[@soepil]

Great! This record was not recorded in Kling-Klang Studio, but in legendary late producer Conny Plank's studio. He was a master of echo and production and is all over the record. The Minimoog was certainly present at this time and also the Farfisa Professional Piano. Klaus Röder is on guitar and violin.

[@MonsieurC64]

Thanks for mentioning Conny Plank. He played a big part in their early albums.

[@j.maxell3030]

En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog (influencia que toma Conny Plank en su Rock Prg. & Krautrock) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s: Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@nicomeier8098]

When I Autobahn came out I was 8 years old. I was in Germany with my German grandfather, grandmother and their son, my uncle, who introduced me to the music of Kraftwerk. Got me hooked for life, I got all their original albums and all vinyl remastered ones as well as the CD's. Still play it regularly, I so love their music. BTW I also love driving on the German Autobahn.......remember that until quite recently the German Autobahns were mainly made of large reinforced concrete slabs, so driving on them would produce a "thumb...thumb" noise from your tyres hitting the small gaps between those slabs - now listen to the transition at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1107">18:27</a>.

[@tim_buck_too9126]

This was THE song that began a 50 year journey of discovery and enjoyment of "electronic" music for me. It takes me way back to being 12 years old again. It sounds as fresh as the day it was released. The whole album is a joy to listen to.

[@ReyArteb]

8-9 year old me would listen to this 8 track over and over (thanks mom and dad for being HIP!) this song is an emotional journey.

[@n84434]

You and me both. We were on a road trip to Mackinac Island in 1975 and stopped to eat at a diner. I walked in and heard this coming from a small Jute box and was hooked!! I was 9 at the time. 👍🏻

[@Peter_S_]

I remember the feeling of elation when I realized I had owned both a late 1960s white Bug and a black 1961 Mercedes 220, and there they were on the cover of Autobahn !!

[@DoctorNemmo]

I just saw Kraftwerk a week ago in Santiago! Full of young people enjoying the music and singijg aloud the songs ! Ralf Hutter is still there singing for all of us. Autobahn was one of the tracks they played live. Great band, great trajectory, great video !

[@hdelmot]

Oh yes please, Tubular Bells or any of the early albums of Mike Oldfiel, they are so amazing ! So much to tell about composition, melodies, harmonies, ... These are real masterpieces !

[@j.maxell3030]

En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@Keyswiz71]

I'm the same age as you and remember hearing Autobahn for the first time in the 70's; my mind was blown!

[@roberthollander4522]

in 2003 we traveled as part of a high school charity band across Europe which worked with Make-A-Wish, granting wishes in each town they performed. One night we rode in a bus from the Hague (Scheveningen) to Frankfort. I went to sleep that night, on the Autobahn, listening to Autobahn. It was surreal. And something I ALWAYS wanted to do. Once in a lifetime! GREAT VIDEO Claudio!! I'm listening through the whole album now, every song just as good as the first time I heard them.

[@matthouben4242]

Between the album "Autobahn" and "The Man Machine", Kraftwerk released : " Radio-Activity"

[@azynkron]

What they did several times, on Trans Europe Express as well, was to capture the rythm of the surface. In this case the concrete slabs (or rather the small gaps). They did the same with the train tracks.

[@hinzster]

Though a lot of the music sounds sequenced, Autobahn was made before they started using their (custom-made) sequencer. To think that they were so precise as musicians that they actually sounded like machines is mind-blowing. And you can't only hear influences of classical music, but actually classic *electronic* music, like eg. Karlheinz Stockhausen.

[@j.maxell3030]

En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. (Conny Plank) y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@terberg1961]

Nobody analyses like Dr. Mix! Excellent as always.

[@FunkyDisco79]

Not excellent at all. Lots of error in this video.

[@richardervins]

No. Sorry to say. But there are a lot of mistakes in this. Not just the mistake with „fun“ being „ fahr‘n“ (short for „driving“ in German). I know two members of Kraftwerk personally. I know how they worked at the time. And there is just too much speculation and not enough knowledge of how Autobahn was produced in this „essay“. ❤

[@harrycooper5231]

Heard this on late night FM in 74, never heard anything like it. Bought the album the next day, and became a lifelong Kraftwerk fan. RIP FS.

[@RobVaderful]

I remember me and a my friend listen thet LP over and over again when we where 12...we where blown away.

[@etk1138]

It's amazing how something as simple as a delay on the bass can make it so special and iconic. The title track is just sensational. Also Kometenmelodie 2 from the album is one of my fave Kraftwerk tracks

[@jamesmay3941]

I bought the Kometenmelodie single in the 80s not knowing at the time it was from this album (I have most of them now, I think). Hearing that movement on this vid took me straight back. 👌

[@lowandodor1150]

Ohhh Kometenmelodie is swee heat!

[@lowandodor1150]

A little more like Cluster and Harmonia perhaps or. well, just wonderfully blissful electronic exploration!

[@e1gr3co]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="840">14:00</a> the rythm is the concrete blocks of the autobahn under tyres :)

[@greatheightsu]

I could listen to you break down records like this for hours. Gives me a new appreciation for it.

[@fumocamel]

i'm over 50 years old now, and i start to listen kraftwerk when i was 14 yo, but everytime i listen kraftwerk i discover new things, they are my master, the light to follow

[@seculi7757]

Do something Yello in the future please. Eventhough i like everything really.

[@damouze]

Yello has my vote too!

[@peter-utrblk]

Same here

[@mcweb1036]

I am from Germany Düsseldorf and i love Krafterk. Nice Video 😊 you speak good germen ;))

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Kraftwerk played the theater in my picture, here in Detroit (Eastown Theatre, then called Showcase Theater) for the first time in the midwest United States, in 1975. ....The rest is TECHNO HISTORY. ❤

[@djbuebby_official]

Kraftwerk is very important for the electronic music because, Kraftwerk is the origin of electronic music. Without Kraftwerk, there would be no Techno or House. Without Kraftwerk, we would still be listening to Rock n Roll today. Nice Video 🔥🔥🔥

[@gwivongalois6169]

Ok, let's just ignore ~30 years of electronic music before Kraftwerk. The are very important, but they are also standing on the shoulder of giants.

[@djbuebby_official]

@@gwivongalois6169 Before Kraftwerk, there were also excellent electronic productions. However, Kraftwerk played a significant role in commercializing electronic music. As a result, electronic music became relevant to the commercial music industry.

[@lee_drifting]

same with a lot of hip hop records. they were sampled a lot on old electro funk and miami bass beats

[@djbuebby_official]

@@lee_drifting Yes this is correct, great hip-hop acts such as Africa Bambata made their sounds blossom again in the late 80s and early 90s by sampling!

[@garrytoole]

Saw these guys in dusseldorf in 1977 was 10 unreal been a fan of electronic music ever since thanks guys

[@80ssynthfan48]

To me the bit from <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1107">18:27</a> to <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1124">18:44</a> feels like entering and driving through a tunnel, and <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1125">18:45</a> when the bass comes back is when the tunnel ends and you come back out on to the road.

[@peterarmstrong3298]

Autobahn was the first record i ever bought. I have very fond memories of playing this on my primitive record player.

[@just1synth]

I grew up in this and your enthusiasm for this just makes me smile so much

[@MyOtherNick]

One correction, claudio: they don't sing " fun, fun, fun auf der autobahn". Instead the lyrics state " fahren fahren fahren auf der autobahn". It is a sentence in German and fahren means to drive or driving... which makes more sense....

[@timi_ro]

Kraftwerk said it works both ways, if the listener wants to!

[@peter-utrblk]

Very nice video, as always!!! Autobahn is like an audio journey through the german state of Nordrhein Westfalen. You can hear birds, steel mills and rivers. All what you can hear when your window is open on the Autobahn. Greets from Düsseldorf

[@JockGit64]

Love Düsseldorf, spent 3 years there while in the British Army in the 80's. Very fond memories of the place. Was my intention to stay there when I left the Army but I met a girl, left the Army, and got married in the UK, oddly enough she was born in Düsseldorf when her Dad was in the Army. One day I will go back for a visit.

[@philipgilligan_art]

Used to travel to Dortmund and Paderborn as a teenager visiting military relatives, many times in a car several times hitchiking in trucks…… nighttime on the B1 was magical

[@user-fr7dk9xw9m]

HITLER KAPUT!!!

[@rainerwaansinn]

That was the case 50 years ago. Try driving on the AUTOBAHN today 😞 Greets form Germany

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

The use of the synthesizers to create those whizzing Doppler effected car sounds whizzing by without the use of digital sampling is just magic!

[@josgulikers3104]

I remember buying the album in 1974 as a 16 year old kid; I still have it in my record cabinet. I also remember that my mother liked it, and we listened to a live version when she was 90.

[@lucianogemme8759]

I knew them with their second album, Radioactivity, when i was at middle school. It was lve at first sight:) And last year I saw one of their concert (at Milan), including Autobahn and its 3D vintage computer graphic video behind them

[@SynthFelix]

You must sleep very happy in the nights. ❤

[@julioricardo2415]

SIMPLE Vs COMPLEX Superficial Vs Deep Kraftwerk Vs Kraftwek .... Like a mantra, exactly Excelent video indeed

[@Dj_Shroom]

I'm in love with the passing cars sounds

[@willybones3890]

First time I heard Kraftwerk I was 14. It was 1978 and I fell in love. I was pretty much the only one in my friend group that liked them...I still have eclectic tastes in music to this day.

[@Smily_23]

Hey, i'm from germany and i can translate you what the say in section 3, where the voices singing is changin.. German: Die Fahrbahn ist ein graues Band, weiße Streifen, grüner Rand. English: the roadway is a gray band, white stripes green border. As simple as genius it is! 😊 Love your Videos, your deconstructions! Take care! 😘

[@compfox]

Band = ribbon

[@winesynths]

Back in the days, when I had my old Mercedes, this sentence was written on the dashboard! 😎

[@hermannrudi9688]

​@@compfox "Rand" here means edge or border. So you have a gray highway and green grass beside it.

[@PM-fs2eg]

You're the Rick Beato of electronic music. I just love love love your channel....so very informative and I learn so much. I also learn to appreciate music even more. Thank you for doing what you do!🥰 Kraftwerk..? I'd call their genre "krauttronica" 🙂

[@bdoehner]

“The Rick Beato of Electronic Music!” Good description for this channel. Absolutely agree with it too

[@tertiaryobjective]

FON FON FON on the AUTOBAHN My own misheard lyrics, I stand by it.

[@noisetheorem]

This and The Box by Orbital (the full 28 minute version) are my favorite long-form electronic music tracks. Just amazing!

[@roygalaasen]

Aaaaaaahhhhhh The Box is insane! You listen to part one, slowly building up to part 2 and it totally blows up! Pure genius. That is also a true Gold nugget, though of the 90’s. Edit: you mentioning 28 minutes, which made me have to research a bit, and there is this single where there are more parts continuing where part 2 ends, totalling 28 minutes. Sadly I never had the single though the part that did not make the album are great as well. It is different, and you may not like, but give this album a listen. It is brilliant as well. kzbin.info/aero/OLAK5uy_mixmsfhHN1xgSZtgviqq2SW63bQkLIe7c

[@j.maxell3030]

En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@fernandosantos3576]

Claudio, I just love the way you deconstruct these masterpieces. Thank you.

[@clausappel8086]

Since my childhood my interpretation of this song is: Part one - start and driving on the Autobahn Part two - taking a break and enjoying the nature Part three - the journey continues Part four - the car breaks down because of a bursted radiator hose. The noise represents the hissing noise of the steam. The vibrato bass line stands for the heartbeat of the worried driver. Then comes someone to repair the car, represented by the slow melody with the elongated notes and the disappearing vibrato (the heartbeat calms down) Part five: On the road again ..... Part six: traffic jam! Everyone can only drive slowly or must stand still. Then: Full throttle to make up time. In the end: Arrival at the destination. Lyrics (translated): Autobahn Autobahn Autobahn Autobahn Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn In front of us there is a wide valley the sun is shining with shimmering light We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn The roadway is a grey band White stripes green border We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn Now we switch on the radio From the loudspeaker it sounds We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn We drive drive drive on the Autobahn ........... Before I forget: TUBULAR BELLS

[@Imaginnnn]

I'd love you to analyse Klaus Schulze. A true moog legend. Krautrock is awesome and so is your analysis of Autobahn. Thank you.

[@SaroDogTraining]

I remember, the first electronic music that was popular and even got airplay on the raidio was Jean Micheal Jarre's Oxygen inthe 70s. After that, I got to know Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Klaus schulze and so on.

[@wiseoldfool]

Real music!

[@michalpachla2212]

So, now only Computer World and Trans Europe Express and my dreams are gonna be fulfilled! Great analysis as always

[@Yemsky]

I remember taking a bus from Northern Germany to Turkey (2500km) in the late 70s and all of the Autoput in Yugoslavia was this album.

[@tzmtzt]

i have to say i love your breakdowns My favorite album is Trans europe express, that chugging rhythm gets me every time (and hall of mirrors)

[@blockedeclipse]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="448">7:28</a> actually it wasnt, ralf noted later that he was saying fahren (drive) but fun makes sense, as driving on the autobahn was fun

[@MdeGreat]

Wunderbar, sehr schön

[@christophegowans3504]

Your happiness comes through the screen. Thanks!

[@DavidSmith-ne1zp]

This channel is SO MUCH FUN! Doctor Mix’s enthusiasm is very contagious. - always gives me a fresh case of synth fever. As a new synth enthusiast, I am learning and appreciating so much. Cheers!

[@j.maxell3030]

En 1974 esto no era diferente...ya estaba hecho y en proceso de evolucion y desarrollo. En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@peterream9437]

Simple is the key to success ❤ Isn't that we're all taught at somepoint , when creating something complex . Florain was a genius... Just like you Claudio explaining musical stuff...❤

[@MonsieurC64]

No offense to Florian's memory, but I think Ralf was the real genius of the band. He's the one who came up with most of their melodies, and most concepts for the albums.

[@jamesedinger4956]

Kraftwerk was able to paint vivid sound images using mostly primary colors...the art is in the simplicity.

[@j.maxell3030]

Kraftwerk dibujaba sobre lienzos ya marcados por otros...😊 En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@carlbrown8830]

I laugh every time I hear that song. It reminds me of my high school days, hanging out with my friends playing pool at my aunt's tavern.Her old jukebox was filled with 50's and 60's C&W tunes, and somehow, the vendor put an Autobahn single in it. Imagine the looks on the faces of the old redneck barflies when the song played over that 15" speaker in the old Wurlitzer. Priceless. When I think back, I think disco wasn't even that popular. I suppose Kraftwerk inspired future tech bands like Devo and The Cars. Thanks for taking us back to another time!

[@rainerwaansinn]

I am thrilled by the dedication with which you present this masterpiece. Thank you! I was 24 years old at the time (1974) and had already covered quite a few kilometers on the highway. Driver jobs financed my living.

[@ChrisMills-AmbientSpace]

I remember so clearly when I first heard those opening chords. Perfection! Thank you!

[@jeffgreiss142]

Autobahn, a masterpiece. I like your references to Buddhism, trance and spirituality, it’s true. Even with the machine aesthetic, this music speaks to the heart.

[@Foodgeek]

Tubular Bells :D Both Autobahn, Radioaktivität, Oxygene, Equnoxe, and Tubular Bells are staples from my childhood record player (from my Dad's collection, ofc) :)

[@garryiglesias4074]

Discovered them with my father's vinyl "Radioaktivitat", at the end of the 80's, was hooked... Then I listened to Autobahn and Trans Europe Express a LOT (to this day). I used to have it play in my car, driving on the freeway, at sunset, coming home from a surf session... Great ambiance, great memories. Kraftwerk and Pink Floyd are the ones who I've listen to since I'm about 12, 1988-89. They never failed me til this day (I mean those album, Pink Floyd is "dead" after The Wall for me, a bit same for Kraftwerk, I don't really like their rendition of their tracks since the 90's). But those 70's albums are DOPE.

[@BLCKVD]

This song truly goes straight into my heart… It gives me same lovely feeling as does Eric Prydz music (which makes sense as Eric Prydz is inspired by Kraftwerk) and I was inspired by Eric and I have been producing Kraftwerk/Eric Prydz style music quite long time now ❤️‍🔥

[@felix-barth1279]

Love that album. Last year I payed 50 € to own an original copy of it 😅

[@Doctormix]

woahhh

[@dariodzimbeg]

Kraftwerk series... I love 'em and I'm hooked. Do more! And yes, TUBULAR BELLS!

[@SynGirl32]

If I recall correctly, the instruments used on the album were a minimoog, an ARP 2600, a Synthi-A and a Farfisa electra-piano

[@j.talbert9043]

I believe it was an ARP Odyssey rather than a 2600 that was used on this particular album.

[@TheGuacamoleXplosion]

as new and groundbreaking this was: Pink Floyd released “On the Run” 1.5 years before Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn”; and it had some very technoid aspects to it. The bassline basically was acid house avant la lettre; using an EMS Synthi AKS, since the Roland TB-303 didn’t exist yet.

[@Magnus_Loov]

It had some parts that were heavy on Synths, but the album was still mainly normal electric guitar, electric bass and acoustic drums. Tangerine Dreams on the other hand made a total electronic album with only Synths in 1973 with Phaedra. Although that almost didn't have any melodies in it like on Kraftwerks Autobahn which was the first "top 40", total electronic hit single. Not sure if any other band before that had made a complete electronic track that was also a hit single...(Besides PopCorn and Son of my father which were almost ironic "one offs" in 72) Melodic electronic music for the masses!

[@paradisdesang7669]

J'ai découvert l'album à sa sortie, je ne l'avais pas entendu de cette facon après cette déconstruction. Merci cette vidéo est superbe.

[@hermeslord]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1593">26:33</a> sounds like shooting out of a dark tunnel into light, opening to a large valley overlooking, blue skies and golden tint of a lake far away, getting a real sense of the speed you were in

[@WEBB-TECH]

He's genuinely enjoying that. That fact makes me proper buzz. Love it.

[@Asmuk]

These are some of your best pieces. Educative, meaningful content. Thank you.

[@markkilley2683]

Great album, great melodies, regardless of how it was made. Music like this opens your mind.

[@radducku]

Tubular Bells. Also (why not?) Radioactivity, Computer World, Zoolook, Klaus Schulze Trancefer, Audentity, Timewind..I really love this kind of videos! Thank you Dr. Mix!

[@psynchrobalcarce]

You are incredible my distant friend, I am 47 years old and I have grown up listening to bands like Kraftwerk, Human League, Pet shop boys, Chemical Brothers, Erasure, Depeche mode, Yazoo, Camouflage, New order, Information Society, Mike oldfield, Kasabian, Daft Punk, Portishied, Alan Parsons, Jean Michael Jarre, Vangelis, kitaro... in my country, Argentina, electronic music had a bit of a boom many years ago with Sergio Koval, in short, you made a concrete and waste-free analysis of a masterpiece from the techno museum, to reveal That Not Everything is as simple as it seems, synthesizers robotized guys like Florian, but thanks to them, keyboards came to life. Excellent analysis!!! (My favorite is Radioactivity)

[@olivermarschalek5310]

Kraftwerk is like Bauhaus for music. And they loved the art of the Bauhaus.

[@mmeewezen]

I have heard this album probably at least a hundred times, but... just like the last one you did on JM Jarre, next time I will hear it with so much more interest because of these fantastic videos! Thank you doctor Mix, I greatly appreciate this and can't wait for more :)

[@j.maxell3030]

Jarre - Synthetizer Man / Freedom Day 1972 ya le daba escuela a los 4 robots del Krautrock de como hacer verdadera música electrónica a corte Synthpop

[@HANSMKAMP]

I live in the Netherlands. I often travel with my car through Germany, driving on the Autobahn! And then... I have this song in my mind! AU... TO... BAHN!!!

[@RachelsSweetie]

I love how you unpack this. It's like being in Beethoven appreciation class back in my university days.

[@PianoNick]

Brings back so many memories! Thanks for this great analysis! One small nitpicking remark: it’s just ‘Kraftwerk’ and not ‘the Kraftwerk’! 😊

[@unclemick-synths]

The one that always bugs me is "The Talking Heads".

[@j.maxell3030]

The Krautrock de Kraftwerk...

[@MrPrax28]

Man, I just loved your analysis 👏..and about a group that changed music concept forever...thank you Claudio!

[@jpaul2559]

in 1974 I was 21 and I wanted so badly to have a synthesizer, but not $$ . I was listening to Kraftwerk this album and my favorite Transe Europe Express. Tubular Bell! yessssss. Thank you Claudio for your excellent videos, I always have the impression that you are with me in the studio, with your simple explanation, I remind you that I speak French :-) so LOV Meci Proff.

[@placeboantwerp4312]

When I bought my first old Saab this was *the* *tape* I had to play on my way back in the car. Great review, the Godfathers of all things techno.

[@pasixty6510]

I love every minute of this album, and you did a great job, celebrating it. Thank you for that! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1630">27:10</a> reminds me of ‚on the run‘ by Pink Floyd. Might be a coincidence, might be a tribute to PF from the Kraftwerk guys, who knows… The Album ‚Dark side of the Moon‘ was released in 1973. Listen to that piece of innovative/progressive music.

[@arturslotwinski]

And actually the swinging delay was probably inspired by the little gaps between the concrete elements which the German freeways are made of - especially the older ones.... While driving one can feel this characteristic constant rhythm.... I love Your videos BTW! :) Thumbs up as always! :D

[@loboheeler]

Concrete roadway sections (slabs) can buckle with temperature changes, and cause a ticking sound that varies with speed. Those are seldom seen anymore on US highways, and replaced with asphalt. Not sure about the Autobahn.

[@lycosa2000]

I sure enjoy your deep dives into these iconic albums. Your energy and spirit is worth the watch alone. You got me smiling bro and that's pretty good in a world that needs more smiling. :) Thanks for doing what you do.

[@PlanetC64]

"It feels like an elf. In the morning." Well, yes it does, now that you mention it. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@elCabronazoEse]

Yes , tubular Bells , please !....Mike Oldfield rules ! XD

[@DidierBrems]

And Tubular bells 2 and 3 and Ommadawn, Return to Ommadawn, Hergest Ridge, Incantation, and ...

[@damouze]

He is basically singing: "the lane is a gray band / white stripes / green borders" There are a couple of other couplets in German as well. The first couplet is "A broad valley lies ahead of us / Glittering beams of sunlight shine on us". The last one is "and now we put on the radio / and out of the loud speaker comes / Autobahn". I remember when I first heard "Autobahn". My dad played the record for me and I was mesmerized. It was the early 80s, but after Nova's "Aurora" had come out. I had heard the latter song and asked my dad what kind of instrument that was and all he said was "synthesizer". A couple of days later he sat me down on the couch and he put on "Autobahn". Ah good times... I have some requests: MIKE OLDFIELD - TUBULAR BELLS (You asked for it) Nova - Aurora Yello - Pinball Cha-Cha (actually, anything by Yello).

[@paulantoine1696]

Thank you so much for reintroducing me to this album, an old favourite from my youth... loved the exploration too.

[@anthonyt6872]

Thanks for reviewing this. I love this album dearly as my mum introduced this to me when I was about 15 years old and it totally blew my mind. I used to listen to it repeatedly and used to practice keyboard with this and it still remains gorgeous to me today.

[@Sockieknowshockey]

What a journey! I remember being 12 or 13 and hearing the radio version of Autobahn. Can you imagine pop radio stations playing something so different today? Thank you for exposing your young listeners to this record. It’s sad that the Art component of music has been lost in pop music today.

[@j.maxell3030]

En 1974 esto no era diferente...ya estaba hecho y en proceso de evolucion y desarrollo. En Autobahn los Kraftwerk se van alejando de su Krautrock & Rock Prog. y entrando mas al rubro de la Música Electrónica (Post Concreta, Experimental, Soundtrack & Moog) que se desarrolla desde los 60s y finales del 50s Kingsley, Dissevelt, Scott, Derbyshire, Hodgson, Cecil, Garson, Prilly... Moroder, Jarre, Lacksman, Tangerine Dreams, YMO, Schulze, Vangelis, Tonet, Gizzi, Pinhas, Martin W. & Ian Craig...(entre otros) toman la misma base electrónica para el desarrollo de sus modelos y lineas electrónicas siendo Moroder el Top 1 con su modelo EDM (NRG & Synthpop) desde 1977 influyendo incluso a los 4 Robots del Krautrock. Habría que decirle a Doctor Mix que escuche música electronica anterior a 1974 antes de creer que Autobhan es algo avanzado o revolucionario 😅

[@klauswustrack4481]

I love the way you analyse music in general. But this one is a perfect hit. Thank you!

[@Rbnqss]

I recently found your channel and as an electronic music fan dance my childhood I find this very informative. Now this Autobahn that I heard first time on 80's opened to me very differently. Can't wait the new content. Greetings from Finland!