Donna Summer - German Interview

[@evilpagan2342]

Her German was very fluent, the American accent is obvious, but she spoke better and more fluent German than 90% of Americans I have seen. ♥️ Died of lung cancer age 63. RIP.

[@wmw4339]

correct...i really love the rare occasions where you can find Donna on-line speaking German...it's funny that i can understand what she is saying in German although i am by no means fluent...maybe the fact that German is a "second language" for her makes her understandable to a language novice like myself

[@ajs41]

She spent about 6 years living in Germany I think, in the 70s.

[@wmw4339]

it was actually 8+ years...Donna most likely would have remained in Europe for the duration had she not hit the world stage "fast and furious" around 1975 with LTLYB...i remember hearing her in a radio interview circa 1977 while i was living on the North Sea near Cuxhaven...she compared living in Europe to living in the US...she said she preferred Europe while prefacing her statement by saying that "she probably should not outwardly express her preference for Europe", but, at that time, that was how she was feeling...she returned to Europe in 1977 after LTLYB's phenomenal success stateside and recorded some of her follow on material in Munich...she would comment that she had to go back to Europe to "find herself"... i can fully understand and appreciate what she meant when she said this...i believe that Donna was always more partial to living in Europe (as am I lol!)...she resettled in the US for the remainder of her life for career (business) purposes...

[@dayo1026]

It just as obvious when Germans speak English with a German accent. No matter the native speaker, the majority of people speaking a foreign language maintain their native accent. Duh!!

[@Johnmag1976]

I do not understand. When did she begin her singing career ? It's not possible to speak so well German from classes in highschool in the US. I believe she has learned seriously. But How ?

[@Ralle1968]

she lived and worked for a long time in Germany,her first husband came from Austria

[@haakonjarlqvist7630]

Her German is quit good. She had a slight Southern German accent, but surprisingly good German. It is not easy to learn a language so well when one is older.

[@Starkardur]

She moved to Germany when she was like 20 so she wasn't older.

[@alexbuildingblocksandjerom3454]

She didn't learn it old...she was very young when she moved to Germany and she was also married to an Austrian man.

[@jihyosboobeesweat9412]

She was young

[@wmw4339]

second languages typically come much easier to youngsters (before they reach their teen years)...Donna would say that she was determined to learn the language when she first got to Europe in 1968 at age 19 and, she actually learned it within months...that is not typical for anybody learning a new language, but, when you immerse, you will pick up another language much faster...plus Donna's innate intellectual level was above the average person's e.g. she (was) a very smart, capable individual...a lot of people over look this fact about her or can't (won't) see or acknowledge this fact for obvious reasons

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

@@Starkardur What he wanted to say was "older" other than being a kid/child.

[@masongarrett3066]

I never knew she spoke German! I'm quite impressed to know this after she has passed!

[@TalyaT922]

She lived and performed in Germany for several years.

[@abfab7830]

Actually se was living in München in these years and was produced by Moroder 100% german produkt

[@masongarrett3066]

@@abfab7830 Thank you for that music history!

[@CoreyChambersLA]

Ruhe in Frieden. Vielen Dank für viele Jahre brillanter Musik.

[@Darrigrande]

Bravo Donna! Sie war, ist und immer wird die Disco Queen sein!

[@chibuo4733]

_..Königin_ sein... 😉

[@Johnmag1976]

I wuste daß sie in Deutscland gewesen war. Aber, wie kommt es daß sie so gut spricht ? In amerikanishe Gymnasiums lernt man nicht Deutsch.

[@Plexpara]

@@Johnmag1976 Ihre Karriere startete in Deutschland als sie mit 19 für das Musical "Haare" nach Deutschland kam. Sie lehnte dafür sogar einen Plattenvertrag in den USA ab. Heiratete dann einen Österreicher namens Sommer. Deswegen hat sie sich Donna Summer genannt. Summer...Sommer.. Ihre ersten Hits mit denen sie langsam bekannt wurde, wurden hier in Deutschland produziert.

[@alexallan-musicaaovivo500]

People with a gift for music, learn languages quite easily. After all, music is a language, that is sounds with meaning.

[@TheRTM]

It’s also pattern recognition.

[@Darrigrande]

@@TheRTM Englisch, Deutsch, French ! Who cares! Music is an universal language!

[@thomasharter8161]

@@Darrigrande It's also about singing and she was a singer...

[@adelgado75]

it's so fun to hear her speak Germany. They must love her in Germany. We love her here also...

[@Plexpara]

Yes we love her. She was a Legend. She started her career here in Germany with young 19 years. I am proud.

[@jukingeo]

Coming from a German background and growing up with Donna Summer, I had always adored her. To learn that she spoke German fluently was the icing on the cake as there are not many women of color that can speak German. She was a magnificent woman and I was happy to grow up adoring her and her music. I was very heartbroken to hear of her passing in 2012. And she is very much missed, but her memory will live on through the spectacular music she has created with her beautiful voice. A beauty that is only matched by her own beauty as she was always a beautiful woman.

[@chibuo4733]

Very nice sentiments, very well said! If I may? Could I ask you to refer to her as a black woman rather than a person of colour. There’s no shame or denigration in her or _any_ other black person being rightly referred to as what they are. This new _P.O.C._ phenomenon tends to overshadow the uniqueness of people who aren’t white and whilst is sounds innocuous actually has profound political implications. z.b. Enslaved people in the US weren’t P.O.C, they were black. You have many Asians accepted in the tech industry and seen as ‘model immigrants’ in total contrast to the stereotypes and oppression of black people. Hopefully I’m making sense, no offence is intended as agree with your sentiments 100%, I just thought it was important for you to understand the deeper connotations of this P.O.C. label for an already disadvantaged but specific group. Vielen Danke für ihre Verständnis 🙂

[@jukingeo]

@@chibuo4733 I didn't mean offense, but it seems like no matter how I try to explain myself, someone says something negative about it. I used to say black woman to describe a person of darker complexion, but then I get flack from the Indian / Hindu community because they have darker skin but are not considered black. So now I express myself by saying woman (or person) of color and that is how I will continue to represent a person as such. I think it better to say that way then say, "non-white" person. So my apologies if you take offense to it. I didn't mean it that way, but at the same time, I am running out of options to express what I have to say. So I just come to accept that I try to please most of the people most of the time as it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time.

[@chibuo4733]

@@jukingeo no offence was taken - really. It was a teachable moment I simply tried to take advantage of. My intent was never to criticise or put anyone down. Especially _you,_ as I actually _agreed_ with the positive statement you made about a wonderfully talented black woman. This has nothing to do with how Hindus view themselves or other Indians, that is a family discussion I have no part in, this is purely about the uniqueness of Africans - _black_ people. My advice (if I may); try not to conflate Hindus with black people _clearly_ of African heritage - Donna Summer being part of the latter and not the former. Second piece of advice; stop seeing _’whiteness’_ as any kind of de-facto standard. It really isn’t and this ‘self-othering’ really isn’t helpful anyone (whites included, oddly enough), Europeans have colour too. Please accept my comments in the spirit in which they were offered, again, they’re not a criticism, it’s cool to say someone’s black if they’re not being referred to in the pejorative! You now know the difference between the term ‘black’ and the implications of ‘lumping people together’ who simply aren’t white - _especially_ for black people. It’s up to you if you choose to accept or ignore... Again, no offence/criticism is intended 😊

[@willnill7946]

Yea, all those non whites in Germany just can’t speak the language even though they were born there, idiot

[@davidnavarro4821]

@@jukingeo Don’t need to apologize, some people are just offended by anything.

[@garryowen852]

On the radio - great song - Never forget listening it for the first time

[@Darrigrande]

I still love you Baby! Ich liebe Dich immer noch!

[@Ricobaca]

Dich?

[@Darrigrande]

@@Ricobaca Gemeint ist natürlich Donna!

[@danielc.8875]

It seems so strange seeing Donna speak German, and very good German as well.

[@Darrigrande]

She lived many years in München! She was a classy Lady and a Wonderful singer!

[@jihyosboobeesweat9412]

She lived in German and was fluent

[@wmw4339]

can't understand why this would seem so strange...she (is) a human being capable of speech...nothing out of the ordinary about that

[@jihyosboobeesweat9412]

WMW it’s strange seeing her speak German because 1. Maybe they’ve never knew she could speak it and hat she speaks it so well 2. They’re surprised someone of another race besides a German knows German

[@wmw4339]

there are A LOT of people who come from outside of Germany who speak German and they speak it well...and, lots of people of color speak German...it is not that uncommon...being a person of color myself who lived in Germany for many years and, yes, learned the language, I can honestly attest to this

[@neguys]

i love donna !!! forever and ever .....

[@Darrigrande]

The everlasting Queen of Disco and Queen of Hearts too!

[@mickygabriela8165]

I am german, she spke very well, like almost mother tongue, only with american accents and a bit bavarian southern germany

[@TechnoVixen2025]

ich bin amerikaner und Sie war die Beste, es ist traurig, dass sie jung gestorben ist. she inspired me to do electronic music

[@HopStepJunk]

forever Donna !!

[@marcidee869]

Ich vermisse diese power Voice she is the Queen 👸 of Disco 💃 🕺

[@MrCharli53]

RIP Munich will LOVE you ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Plexpara]

Love her connection to Germany. Want to hear her singing in German? Check out "Donna Summer - White Boys"

[@Mo_Daze]

She did not look 63!! She looked younger, especially when she performed Last Dance in 2011

[@4jrgolf]

Wow Donna spoke German so well. I didn't know.

[@angelicadixon167]

She was so cool! RIP.

[@japnikki]

smart lady!!

[@jerrybear6440]

Love her....

[@mariovetsera8026]

Donna the nice, sensual and best artist

[@Madame_T.]

Sie hat wirklich gut Deutsch gesprochen.

[@Hairysteed]

Finde ich auch! (Ich bin Finne)

[@androskrupp2568]

❤GODDESS❤GODDESS❤GODDESS❤

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

Donna and Chaka Khan would speak to each other in German.

[@chriscanale9535]

awesome thanks

[@FunkMan53]

Ooh, club music, now I get it.

[@dayo1026]

She was married to a German and lived in Gerany for a while. It is not surprising she spoke the language.

[@jueho47]

Last Dance is one of my all-time-favourites. Und sie sprach wirklich fabelhaft Deutsch!

[@Darrigrande]

Sie war wirklich eine unglaubliche Frau! Wir werden sie immer in Erinnerung halten!

[@itisfiya5729]

I'm surprised I never knew she spoke German! RIP 🙏 Donna!

[@ralflangermann6769]

Ihre Karriere begann schon in München im Musical "Hair".. und hat auch jahrelang mit Ihrem Deutschen Mann dort gelebt, deshalb auch Ihr sehr gutes Deutsch. R I P Donna...meine Disco-Queen der 70ziger.😍

[@adelgado75]

I want to learn German

[@Darrigrande]

Got to Goethe Institut and you can learn!

[@IAmFat1968]

@@Darrigrande I did the same and now I'm fluent in German. It's easier for someone who speaks English or Dutch to learn German because these languages have the same roots.

[@paulvazzo3723]

what for .....it sound horrible

[@90sHONEY]

@@paulvazzo3723 It sounds gorgeous, Paul

[@paulvazzo3723]

why on earth you want that ?

[@richardtobani6369]

Never knew, she had a good command over the German language

[@donronn71]

God LOVE YOU. .....N. C. More

[@thecritiquevirtuoso]

@MissMoniMona Danke. Du bist mir ein sympathisches Publikum. :)

[@adelgado75]

Was she still a big star in Germany?

[@preppstone]

i read that he is dentist and still in contact with donna, mimi and the whole family.

[@SmashDigger]

@thecritiquevirtuoso Seit den 70ern und mit mindestens 120 Millionen verkauften Platten ein Weltstar.

[@thecritiquevirtuoso]

@MissMoniMona Eigentlich erinnere ich mich an sie. Ich habe einst ein Lied von ihr gehört.

[@joen3992]

Recently saw an interview with David Gilmour speaking French during the recording of Wish You Were Here. This amazes me as well that Donna spoke German. I suppose cause Georgio M was German?

[@wmw4339]

Giorgio Moroder is Italian but speaks fluent German as well...

[@tomthroffle]

Giorgio comes from South Tirol. That's an area in northern Italy where German is still the Official language. So he was raised German and went to Munich in young years to become a Musician.

[@fitnlite]

Donna was in the touring company of Hair for a few years and mastered German. She also had German boyfriends, and one tried to kill her due to his jealousy!

[@markgerrard383]

Donna was married to Austrian Helmut Sommer 1973 to 1976 whose surname Donna GaInes changed to Summer..

[@Plexpara]

​@@wmw4339 He is not really italian. he is from south tyrol. that is originally austria and was german also. stolen by italians. but the people there still talk german, live the german culture and got german names etc. they refuse to be italians. moroders real name is actually Hans Jörg Moroder

[@MrAntiSellOut]

I wonder if Donna Summer ever sung any of her hits in German

[@MrAntiSellOut]

Sola Sistim Same here with me too

[@ash86marie]

Yes

[@90sHONEY]

Maybe not her hits but she was in the German version of "Hair" (the musical) and of course had to sing the songs in German

[@Plexpara]

She sung some Songs in German. Check out "Donna Summer - White Boys".

[@PALU3K]

RIP

[@francescosantarelli1732]

she's a chorist in germany and giorgio moroder ............

[@hausmeister3316]

Ihr Deutsch ist besser als mein Spanisch. 😮

[@thecritiquevirtuoso]

@MissMoniMona Ich weiß es nicht =)

[@professormause]

I always thought her song Eyes would have sounded better sung in German.

[@MissMoniMona]

@thecritiquevirtuoso Na, wahrscheinlich das Lied... Ja, warum schreibst Du denn, dass Du diese Frau nicht kennst ;))

[@MissMoniMona]

@thecritiquevirtuoso Echt nicht? Macht nix, vielleicht bist Du zu jung. Aber ihre "ever greens" laufen doch heute noch im Radio z.B.: "She Works Hard for the Money" auf dem Jahre 1983. Mehr Hits kenn' ich - zugegebenermaßen - auch nicht, jedenfalls nicht bewusst..?!

[@MissMoniMona]

@thecritiquevirtuoso Du bist mir ja ein sympathischer Komiker ;)

[@KnightKitchen]

Club music ;-)

[@ghost_emre_a7710]

Die schaut mehr als 20 Jahre jünger aus. Schafe das sie mit 63 unsere Welt verlassen musste :(

[@sunnybearbuds]

I knew someone whose dad is German and mom is from the Dominican Republic, she is fluent in 3 languages. I know a little German and my heritage is from DR, but I had considered myself a unicorn. The girl says things have changed in Germany and she knows quite a lot of Dominican people living over there.

[@MelBee128]

I'm confused. Her mouth is not synced with the audio though I know she did speak German. Was this an English interview they dubbed into German?

[@melissa90ify]

It's her speaking. Her parents were fluent and she lived in Germany for years

[@thomasrichter2898]

👍

[@discothequeplus]

não entendo nada! ._. can't understand a word.

[@Darrigrande]

She spoke in german, language she could speak fluently! Not only a Disco Queen, but also an intelligent smart Woman too!

[@expo1706]

how's her German?

[@ABC_XYZ99]

Her German is pretty good. Really fluently. But with american accent though

[@BlackAdam2784]

ABC_XYZ I was curious as well. Danke :)

[@okeAnous]

@@ABC_XYZ99 Come on now! You can't characterize her idiolect as "German with American accent". She may have a "foreign accent" in that she does not have a native German accent but she does not sound particularly American except when she uses English words/phrases.

[@ATLTee]

:)

[@FunkMan53]

Was ist Klappmuzik?

[@GibsonVienna]

Clubmusic

[@albertz2392]

Donna sieht so Deutsch aus und gar nicht Schwartz wenn sie spricht…

[@walendxweg]

Pfundig

[@thecritiquevirtuoso]

Wer ist diese Frau? Ich kenne sie nicht.

[@MultiFunky2000]

mm so lovely singer is she i love it

[@MultiFunky2000]

yes she is so lovely DONNA i love you , your the greathest :)

[@Darrigrande]

Imposible not to love her, imposible to Forget her. She was our queen of hearts and the Soundtrack our youth!

[@FaissalIdahmed]

RIP