Favorite Electronic Songs #8 - "Tour de France"

Tweet

We are at #8, as I continue my celebration of electronic music with my Favorite Electronic Songs countdown, and that distinction belongs to true pioneers of electronic music: Kraftwerk, with "Tour de France." From Dusseldorf, Germany, Kraftwerk have been at this since 1969. To say they are influential is an understatement: it seems as if any and every band even remotely involved with electronic music cites them as an influence. In the early 1980's, apparently, the group became interested in the sport of cycling. The result was their 1983 12" single, "Tour de France." The tune has, as Wikipedia points out, and you can see for yourself simply by searching You Tube, been edited and remixed so many times, that there really is no longer a definitive version. The original release charted at #22 in the UK (a remix and a rerelease have also charted there,) and reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart (oddly, the song peaked at only #47 in the band's native Germany.) "Tour de France" was featured in the 1984 movie, Breakin' (but a cover appears on the soundtrack.) The tune appealed to breakdancers. I used to DJ a Tuesday night teen dance party at a Chuckie Cheese-type pizza place, and without fail, the breakdancer's would hit the dance floor each time I played it. One listen to the song's electronic beats and you'll understand why. Throw in effects designed to emulate cycling, and some beautiful keyboard play, and you've got the makings of a classic piece of electronic music. (Info verified by Wikipedia)