17 May 2015

Metaphysical Pop Songs: Gods of Aquarius

"NunSexMonkRock" (1982) is Nina Hagen's earliest English language album.
 
 

Listening to any song, there will be an instantaneous effect upon one's mood; however, I must admit that there are few 'hit' radio songs that hold my attention these days — a time of media conglomerates, iHeartRadio and 'heavy rotation'.  One surprise in recent years was the inclusion of the lyrics "Welcome to the New Age" in the Imagine Dragons song "Radioactive."  When I'm in my car, I usually prefer to listen to the non-profit classical music radio station.  The worst thing about listening to contemporary pop music on the radio is the commercials, which have become ridiculously incessant.

Back in the 1980s—a remarkably eclectic time for popular music—I commuted from Pasadena to the Hollywood Hills and listened to New Wave music, etc.  People my age probably recognize much of the pop music that I do from past decades but I'm not sure that everyone remembers the innovative recording artist Nina Hagen (born in East Germany 1955) who has shown a joyful preoccupation with metaphysical themes throughout her career. 

Nina's songs played regularly on my local station.  The song from her first English album that caught my attention is "Born in Xixax", which shows Nina's delight with her unusual vocal range.  Her singing is hard to describe yet easy to experience upon listening to her songs on YouTube.  I listened to "NunSexMonkRock" this afternoon and noticed the influence of the 'punk' movement (not my forte) with a postmodern sensibility.  Hearing "Dr. Art" in particular was a little startling.  Nina has always expressed adoration of Jesus while occasionally using her peculiar vocal abilities and sometimes even her facial make-up to satirize superstitious conceptions of the 'demonic.’ 

I discovered a fascinating five minute video clip of Merle Ginsburg interviewing Nina: "1984 Nina Hagen Interview English".  Nina talks about her perspective of God, a transcendental 'voice hearing' incident, and she relates an experience that is an instance of what I have called the 'Michael' Pattern in previous blog articles.  In the video clip, some EVP messages are audible: "NO" at 3:00, 3:10 and 4:36; and "YOU KNOW" at 5:07.
 
Nina Hagen's second English language album is the disco-influenced "Fearless" (1983).  A producer of the album is Giorgio Moroder, one of the many successful recording artists associated with electronic music during the '80s.  The LP includes "New York New York" (not a cover version of the Liza Minnelli song), "Flying Saucers", "The Change""What It Is" and "Zarah".
 
In "Nina Hagen in Ekstasy" (1985), Nina's third English language album, the song "Gods of Aquarius" presents the full scope of Nina's optimistic and cosmically expectant outlook.  Other songs include "Universal Radio", "Spirit in the Sky" and "The Lord's Prayer".

"Gods of Aquarius" Lyrics
Music: Nina Hagen, Karl Rucker / Lyrics: Nina Hagen 

The Gods of Aquarius are coming with UFOs
They love me and they love you
And what they have to say is true
The good old communication with Holy Spirits of God's creation
Is true but our church denies it
God, when will they realize it

Oh God, we need the big solution
We can't stand atomic pollution
Man, it would be such a shame
If we won't stop the devil's game
Telepathic communication leads to physical transformation
When at the end of night human race is filled with light

Love love never get enough
If you don't love hey, hey, hey too tough

Voices, visions some go in trance
Holy Ghost talks to His fans
I really don't want no more fighting
What I want is automatic writing
Oh my God, the Heavenly Host sends us down His Holy Ghost
The Golden Age of Aquarius the second coming of the glorious

Love, love, never get enough
If you don't love hey, hey, hey too tough . . .

Writing this article and observing some of Nina's interviews for the first time, I am reminded that people have different life experiences and relationships with 'God' based upon their awareness, perceptions and also circumstances involving what might be simply expressed as 'karma'.

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