This is a personal selection of music from Hungary over the last decades - an interesting insight into a nation's popular music - the words might be different, but the trends are the same - this is for fun

1. Hungarian
Popular Music
Highlights , part 1
from a personal view 
Kinga Brady
Music Industry, MYP

2. Check out this
selected music
from Hungary
The singers/bands
are put in time order
so that you can have
a sense of
development as you
go through them and
find that, even if
a different country, the
trends are the same
Of course, this is
a very personal
selection: things that
I like and/or found
with English version
or had the patience to
translate
ENJOY
It would be great
to hear from you
if you liked some
Try to have an
open mind –
see if you like other
kinds of music than
the ones you
usually listen to; or
you might find new
favourites

3. Links to videos are
usually buttons you
need to click on
If I provided translation,
it is worth watching the
video on the net next to
it only, set window
accordingly
If video is in English,
watch in full screen
If the song is in
Hungarian with no
translation, I state that
with link – still worth
listening to them for the
music, or video is good
You might go on this
music/cultural journey
in parts; there is plenty
to cover

4. OK, HERE
WE GO

5. The Green, The Purple, The Black
I’m looking for you on deserted roads
But only nothing awaits
Intoxicating nights
Speed with grumble on the concrete
Boredom stares from the walls
Only the silence warns me
Stars fall
New ones are born
And You are far away...
The Green Star is dead in the sky
The boat is at bay
In the cold silence, everything is black
Be your dream, be your dream beautiful
I am standing on open bridges
Above troubled waters
I am looking for you on crowded buses
Behind closed doors
I am standing where, in your room
Purple fog drizzles
Stars fall
New ones are born
And You are far away...
The Green Star is dead in the sky
The boat is at bay
In the cold silence, everything is black
Be your dream beautiful
When I started to think about
putting together this selection of
music, I asked my male friends,
who know music, about the best
songs from Hungary. They all
insisted that I should share this
one...
This song is a tribute from
Pandora’s Box (see later) to
the father of all popular music
in Hungary, Bela Radics,
the Hungarian Jimmy Hendrix,
if you will.
He was never allowed his own
music published by the political
elite except for this single,
‘Green Star’; died of alcohol.
Listen to his guitar playGreen Star
(in Hungarian)
link

6. Illés Band – ‘The Hungarian Beatles’
I know it’s been long
Since I was I young lad,
My life was different,
As I remember.
The square was blooming
When I was a young lad
In the walls of narrow streets,
In the courtyards of buildings.
I was a little afraid
When I was a young lad
That some bad-faced people
Will take me away.
Then I still admired adult people.
I believed it was going to be great
When I would become one, too.
I was not allowed,
When I was a young lad,
To lie honestly,
To laugh crying
was one of the biggest groups of the 1960s
and early 1970s rock boom in Hungary.
The band is often compared to the Beatles
(time period, activity, artistic and cultural
influence and continuing popularity).
Their songs were often covertly political.
Later, they wrote two historical rock operas,
very popular in Hungary
Link to song at
a song contest,
1968

7. Illés – ‘In the Street’
Sometimes in a strange mood,
I walk the streets alone.
I’m not in the mood for anything,
And I feel that it’s not ok.
I wish I knew where, but where, but where I am going.
But where, but where, but where....I am going.
I stop at a corner,
Where now, which way?
I make three steps,
So, why should I go this way?
I wish I knew where, but where, but where ...
Leaning to a lamp post,
I am looking at the people passing.
They are all in a hurry with a tired face,
I try to guess where they are going.
I wish I knew where, but where, but where I get...
Some look at me disagreeing,
‘What a figure?!’ they say.
They might as well stand on their heads,
I could not care less.
I wish I knew where, but where, but where I get...
Like a heavy cloud disappearing suddenly,
I realize that maybe you are waiting for me.
You see, I don’t hesitate anymore,
I am going to you, I won’t stop.
And now I know, now I know,
now I know where I am going.
I know, now I know, now I know
that I will be with you...
A tribute to the great
city of London - after
a performance, they
had such a good time
that they were kicked
out of London...
GREAT SONG
link This clip is from a reunion concert in
Transylvania (now Romania) in 2005. At the
drums is the son of the original member.
Back in the 60s, the authorities did not like
this song – how come the socialist youth
does not know where to go?! lol
Good-bye
London
(in Hungarian)
Watch it
FULL SCREEN

9. Scorpions – White Dove
One day the sun, too tired to shine
Slept in the deep, green sombre lake
And in the darkness, the world did ache
Until she came for all our sake
Oh that girl with pearls in her hair
Is she real or just made of air
Life went on as before
Man would live once more
The dawn did break and she went home
Back to the deep, dark seas alone
She lives in a world of fairy tales
Her lovely hair and only pearls ...
‘The Hungarian Queen’
Audio
link
Probably the most famous Hungarian rock band; started in
the 60’s as a high school band. They are well known in Europe,
especially Eastern Europe, as they were to them as the Rolling
Stones or the Queen to the Western world.
Omega went to London for a concert early on and had such
success that immediately got a record deal in England and had a
record published in a foreign country before their own (not many
bands can say this) – only after that the authorities in the then
socialist Hungary allowed the band to have their own records in
Hungary. When they had the concert in London, they did not
even have a name, so when asked for one, they said “Red Star
from Hungary”
They were the first band in Europe to use laser and smoke in
their shows, and more, they had their own full equipment that
other international bands rented for concerts.
The song “Girl with Pearls in Her Hair’ – personal favourite –
is from their second album from 1968 was later bought by
Scorpions, with whom they were great friends (Scorpions was
their warm-up band in a concert in Switzerland) and used
the music for ‘White Dove’.

10. Tower of Babel
Watch it
FULL SCREEN

11. REMEMBERING
(1973)
Russian Winter
(1978)
White Magic
Stone (1973)
Lady of the
Summer Nights
(1978)
Don’t Keep Me
Waiting
(1976)
House of Cards
(1976)
Symphonic rock album: Time Robber
Spanish Guitar

12. Petroleum Lamp
Sensitive porcelain, and stand here on the piano
A shiny old-old-old-old lamp.
On its sole green fonts:
"I'm the light, the fire to see in the night."
Petroleum lamp,
What a beauty is its flame.
It explored nights, burnt many butterflies,
and stood many many lies.
A hundred years stepped on him,
He knows life, and understands the big world.
Petroleum lamp,
What a beauty is its flame.
Girl, if you come its way,
your shadow is a blue giant.
It looks at you and charms you.
You’re gazing, ‘what the hell',
staring like in the cinema,
and it is dancing in your nice eyes.
Petroleum lamp,
What a beauty its flame.
link
See them in concert (1994)
with one of their most popular
songs – when they do one, people
come from many countries to see
them
Adjust internet window so that you can read
the translation

14. My Father Believed
My father believed in the warmth of home
My father believed in the joy of celebration
My father believed in his father’s heritage
And I believe it was nice like this
My father believed in the first night
My father believed in the gold of the ring
My father believed in the truth of words
And I believe it was nice like this
My father believed the words of the news
My father believed Chaplin’s sorrow
My father believed the direction of rivers
And I believe it is good like this
I also believe in a few nice things
I believe in the song, the song, the song
And I believe in the noise of the city
And I believe in you and myself
And I believe in the laser ray
And I believe in the death of weapons
And I believe in the expanding universe
And I believe, believe, believe in my father
link
A great figure of the Hungarian music
scene. This is his most famous song –
about the importance of one’s heritage
Shrink internet window so that you can see the translation hiding
one column, move it for the last two stanzas

15. What Am I Worth without Music?
Tell me, without a roof, what is your little house worth?
Tell me, without the river, what is the most beautiful bridge worth?
And the fire without warmth, and a girl without a boy
Tell me, tell me,... what is it worth?
Tell me, without crops, what is your field worth?
And tell me, without flowers, what is your garden worth?
And the night without dreams, your life without deeds
Tell me, tell me, ... what is it worth?
Tell me, without a child, what is a mother worth?
Tell me, without feelings, what is your heart worth?
And summer without sunlight, and the Earth without people
Tell me, tell me, ... what is it worth?
And what am I worth without music?
repeated
Link
Another great figure from music in Hungary – he wrote many
great songs for himself and others, died young of cancer.
Shrink internet window so that you can still see the translation

16. You Live Now
Time is melting like a pale hoarfrost,
And the passing happiness will come to an end.
You are standing there alone, a leaf on the hilltop,
You’re greeted by the sleepy moonlight,
And carried away by the wind...
But until then, there is hope, every minute is a celebration
Because there is always hope,
You must believe it, so please believe it.
You live in the now, so take good care to do it right now
‘Cause even your slightest mistake will take its revenge.
You live now, so be happy now
Because the summer is beautiful.
Be happy now, for there is someone waiting for you,
To hold you in their arms.
2x
link Listen to this voice with this powerful message

17. Kiss King
in Hungarian
Hungaria came to the
music scene with creating
music from the fifties – a
fun group, no party was
good without their music; if
you put them on, the
dancing starts! They were
big in the 80s What A Party
in Hungarian Roll Up the
Carpet
in Hungarian
Multimillioner
Jazz Drummer
in Hungarian
Hotel Menthol
in Hungarian

19. Locomotive GT
Music Express
Rock Yourself Away
Devotion
(in Hungarian
– good music
though)
Lady of the Night
LGT is a Hungarian rock band formed in 1971. It is one of the most influential
bands in the history of Hungarian rock music.
The founders were already well-known musicians – Gabor Presser (songwriter,
keyboardist, singer) had been member of the famous band Omega.
Click on images

20. LGT: She is still 14
I don’t even know her name,
I do not hold her hand,
I only know that she is yet only 14
Her papa takes care of her,
Her mama takes care of her
She does not know what awaits,
what awaits, what awaits her.
I would not pay attention to her,
And I would not laugh,
Oh, if I did not know that she was only 14.
She does not believe in fairy tales anymore –
that is in her eyes,
No one knows what is, what is in her head either.
Oh, the night is not for you yet,
Hurry home, mama is waiting for you!
If you go home too late,
There won’t be any dinner,
Hurry home, mama is waiting for you!
If you wanted to look for her,
even if you were interested,
She then says that she is yet only 14,
If you look at her, she knows why you are looking,
She laughs and moves on.
Do not look at me….
Do not wait for me….
Link in
Hungarian
A popular song of the
band about a girl of 14
that acts older…

21. Somebody tell me
Somebody tell me what life is like
Somebody tell me why it is like this
Somebody tell me why life is beautiful
Somebody tell me why it is not
Somebody tell me why man is good
Somebody tell me why not
Somebody tell me why some become evil
Somebody tell me why some don’t
Somebody tell me who should I trust
Somebody tell me who I should not
Somebody tell me where one can get
What the taste of the water of life is
Somebody tell me why the long years
Seem like a moment
Somebody tell me what the past means
Somebody tell me where it has gone
Somebody tell me how to live
My father told me not to hurt others
Somebody saw that I hurt you
Somebody saw that you hurt me
Somebody tell me why we are here
My mother told me to be happy
But my mother did not tell me
That she meant not on this Earth
My mother did not tell me that, tell me, why
Link
English
subtitles
Gabor Presser – Anna Adamis
from ‘An Imagined Interview about An
American Rock Festival’ (70s) musical
Very powerful lyrics

22. Neoton (Newton) Family –
the Hungarian ABBA, lol
Smile
Again
Santa
Maria
Time
Goes By
Pago, Pago
(in Hungarian -
fun song about
the summer)
I could not believe it;
last time when I
went home, it turned
out there is a
musical now with
their songs – the
same as Mama Mia
for Abba, lol

23. BEATRICE
Pronounce: Be-at-rich-e
8 Hours
Work
Legendary Hungarian rock band
The song title is "8 hours work,
8 hours relaxation, 8 hours
amusement" - sarcastic version of
Marxist propaganda. This is an old,
iconic anti-communist song from
Hungary by Beatrice and
bandleader Feró Nagy (pioneer of
punk movement in Hungary.)
Article about Fero Nagy and his
struggle under the Communist regime
Work finished, you come out of the factory,
You are strong and brave from vodka,
A drunken reaches for your hand,
You don’t know why, but give him a good kick.
‘Cause you lost your patience
Altough it is free to kiss and free to dance,
A hundred years ago in Paris, this was ok
The Commune gave you a rope for this.
8 hours work, 8 hours relaxation, 8 hours amusement
In the pub life is busy,
Brains are getting dull, the knives are sharp
The air is dense from the smell of the cheap beer
You have enough of the ****ing world.
8 hours work, 8 hours relaxation, 8 hours amusement
Your shift is over; you come out of the factory,
You are strong and brave from vodka,
A drunken reaches for your hand,
You don’t know why, but give him a good kick.
You’re wondering what is going on here,
What is goes in will come out immediately.
Your mouth is bitter from the light beer,
Nobody promises that a better life awaits you.
8 hours work, 8 hours relaxation, 8 hours amusement

25. I Have Stood at Every Corner (1981)
Every minute is a hard day,
Every day is a long year,
So much emotion behind me,
So many years before me.
It happened that I had to go,
I didn’t know where I would arrive,
I hoped with closed eyes,
That a song would help me.
And a strange feeling came over me,
It caught me with wild force.
Yes, I felt that with my hands
I could reach the Sun.
This is why it was so strange,
More colourful than any light,
A song was burning inside me
Continuously all day.
I have stood at every corner,
I have sat on every stair,
And if I kicked a stone,
Wherever it rolled, I took that road.
Circle
English
subtitles
Loveless
World
I Dreamt of
A World for
Myself
link
80s - Edda (Works) is a rock band from
a countryside industrial city.
They had to work hard to get to be known.
Their songs are mainly about and for the
working class

26. Karthago, 1975
On the Way of
Our Fathers
(in Hungarian)
Requiem
A Hungarian rock band formed in 1975. They
broke up in 1985, but in 2004 they came
together again. It was one of the most
successful Hungarian rock bands in the 1980s.
The ‘Requiem’ is a tribute to a 16-year old youth
who died of a heart attack in the audience during
a Karthago gig back in 1981 or 82.
I am Alive
(in Hungarian)

27. FONOGRAF
Played country style music

28. Open part 2
to continue,
more great
music to come