2000 Great Songs #1448: Autobahn

I don't listen to much Kraftwerk--I enjoy their music just fine, just don't spend a lot of time with electronic music, however undeniably cool/influential it may be. But "Autobahn," the title track off the German act's 1974 album, is one of those odd pieces of music that I've always found to be strangely familiar even though I have no memory of when it first crossed my path.

I've always been mostly a guitar/bass/drums kinda guy, but when I got really into New Order in college, I remember some people saying I should give Kraftwerk another shot. And, yeah, there's some cool music there (I like "Neon Lights," which has been covered by acts more in my lane like Luna and Love Tractor, and, hell, even U2), but "Autobahn" is strangely magical, whether in its epic side-long album version or the truncated single. From the engine noises at the beginning through the simulated nighttime drive on the highway, it truly feels like a journey of sorts, mostly synths and drum machines but a few stray lyrics ("fahren, fahren, fahren"--German for drive drive drive, not "fun fun fun"). Did I hear that single on the radio as a kid? Was it used on tv or in the movies or on an amusement park ride or in some other cultural iteration? Dunno, it just feels like I've always been aware of it.

Single version:

Complete album version:

Live:

Amped up cover from Family 5:

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