MTV Newsroom » Tokio Hotel Politely Trick You Into Singing in German

Tokio Hotel Politely Trick You Into Singing in German

43 Comments | Published by MTV News on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm.

Have you seen Bill Kaulitz, the singer for Tokio Hotel? We here at MTV News are haunted by his compellingly shiny plastic doll’s face, framed with hair like the world’s most incredibly anime porcupine. Wait — he kind of looks like a member of Jem and the Holograms…

Anyway, you have to hear how the girls scream at this band, as in this latest installment of their American tour diary (narrated by Bill in way-Germanic monotone [Update: It’s his adorable brother Tom]). It’s shrill, tear-stained, full-on-hysterical weeping. Tokio Hotel are truly the NKOTB of the IM-MySpace-Facebook-Interweb generation. Except they’re German, skinnier, and shinier.

And incredibly, their American fans sing along to every word in both English and German — can you imagine that?? These are kids who will not spell out things longer than “lol” but they’ll learn German to sing along to this pop band? And their new album’s not even available yet!

Here you can see them against a classic industrial-wasteland backdrop in the clip for “Ready, Set, Go!” Notice how when he plays a member of the oppressed masses, Bill’s hair is all flat and limp and sad — but when he’s been liberated by the sound of rock, he gets all that body right back!

And if you feel truly, deeply moved to follow the continuing American adventures of the German tween sensation that is Tokio Hotel, you can check in with Buzzworthy on Fridays.

Filed Under: music

Comments (43) Email This Post Permalink

You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

43 Comments to “Tokio Hotel Politely Trick You Into Singing in German”

Sarah says:

1:22 on 04/25

Thanks for this feature. Tokio Hotel are so fun and talented!!

Oh, and it's Tom Kaulitz narrating, not Bill.
Breeze says:

1:37 on 04/25

Tokio Hotel definitely is the most interesting band to hit the US market in years. They are the real deal and comparing them to boyband's like NKOB is an insult. Tokio Hotel writes their own music, play their own instruments, is nothing but brilliant live, and is not casted and put together by some producer. They existed as a band in this lineup for 3 years playing small clubs before they managed to land a record contract. I can't wait to see how mainstrem America will welcome the band once their album drops. So far Canada has fallen head over heels in love with them just like whole of Europe.
Breeze says:

1:42 on 04/25

It's not Bill kaulitz who narrates these videos, it's his twin brother Tom, the guitarist in the band. Bill has been in voice rehab for weeks due to surgery on his vocal cords (to remove acyst) and is not allowed to speak or do interviews.
vicky says:

3:37 on 04/25

Thanks for this.I love Tokio Hotel!!!
Chuck says:

6:53 on 04/25

I will never. Ever. Get tired of watching this video. I LOVE TOKIO HOTEL.
Jashel says:

7:15 on 04/25

I love tokio hotel! i've been a fan for 2 years now and not regreting it =D
boutstinkintime says:

7:18 on 04/25

Same here Chuck.
cece says:

7:23 on 04/25

Thanks for mentioning Tokio Hotel they're great!
Taylor says:

7:23 on 04/25

I love Tokio Hotel. I've Been a fan since December 07 but it feels like it's been way longer and I wish it was! They are the first band I've ever liked so much, in fact I don't think I've ever liked anything this much. Can't wait to see them in Hollywood!!!
And all their videos are amazing. They are just pure awesome.
Andreia says:

7:28 on 04/25

I love Tokio Hotel and its about time that they get recognized in the USA...there the best band ive heard in all my life and they truly make me dream, there songs mean so much to me and the guys just put a smile on my face each and everyday. I love them and everyone should see how incredibly amazing they are.
TOKIO HOTEL forever!!!
Rebecca says:

7:33 on 04/25

Breeze's comment is completely right. That's why I appreciate Tokio Hotel so much. They aren't manufactured or produced; they are and have been who they've always been and do write their own music and play their own instruments. They have been a band for 7 years, five of these years spent trying to 'make it' by playing in small clubs on weekends. I hope that North Americans will see this too and look past what some other people assume about this band. I love Tokio Hotel and am a huge fan of them and their music.
Luky says:

7:34 on 04/25

Is the writer mocking Tokio Hotel? Well it just sounds like he's taking shots at Bill, and his adorable brother Tom. When you write about something that your suppose to support, you shouldn't make it sound like a bad thing. Maybe the writer is bald and envious that Bill's hair has so much body. I haven't been a fan of Tokio Hotel long, since February. But I quickly turned into a die-hard fan. Their songs influence many people and are fantastic. As much as I appreciate the Tour Diaries Buzzworthy is doing it I suggest they find someone else to write about them.
Lisa says:

7:45 on 04/25

Excuse me, you're basically saying that a lot of us fans have no lives and I for DAMN sure have a life away from Tokio Hotel. Plus German isnt that hard haha. You got the TH fanbase a little bit twisted among the people on the internet who have no lives and "TyPe LAiK DiZ u q t." From what ive seen of the US fanbase ive seen about 3 people who type like that of the fans ive seen. We're not only the internet generation. We're a generation who is massively open minded. So dont make fun of us kay?

And this is the first US article ANYTHING that had described any part of THs music or music videos with actual smart talk. Good job mtv lol.

And the only people I saw cry were the short girls around me who were getting squished to death lol. Too bad Tobi (personal bodygaurd) couldnt keep that "magical white line" magical. We're so getting railed next concert poor Tobi lmao.
Jessica says:

8:21 on 04/25

MTV, why is it that you insist on calling these guys a 'tween sensation'?

My friends and I who love Tokio Hotel range in age from 18 to 24, and the guys in the band are 18, 19, and 21. It repulses me that the media continues to call them a teenie, tweenie pop band. Please give them more credit than that. They deserve it. They aren't the Jonas Brothers.

I guess I should thank you for putting them in the spotlight. A lot of people will get to see a band that is phenomenal because of you guys. But I hate that the fans are represented by a bunch of screaming girls. Yes, Tokio Hotel makes me want to scream and giggle like a little girl, but not all of their fans are 14 and sobbing at the site of the androgynous Bill. It's difficult to hold back, but we manage it.

I'm guessing this 'review' was supposed to be positive, but please, next time you try to write something about a new artist, do a little research and give it to the people straight. Stop trying to go off of what the rest of the world has already said about them. We want fresh opinions about the music, not the same old jokes about Bill's hair and Tom's broken English.

Very disappointing.
Lissy Love says:

8:28 on 04/25

TOKIO HOTEL ROCKS! and yeah whoever wrote this article needs to work on their writing techniques. I think you should stick to one opinion about Tokio Hotel. It's difficult to tell if he/she is mocking them or complimenting them... =\
May says:

8:37 on 04/25

Tokio Hotel is a phenomenal and truly talented band; one of the reasons they have such an international and dedicated fanbase is because their music isn't manufactured for a specific demographic. They are often labeled as "tweenie" bands, which is far from the truth. The band has worked incredibly hard from the start to move past that brand, and hopefully the US will show them some respect and focus on the quality of their music, which is what catapulted them to success in the first place.
mel-ann says:

9:28 on 04/25

ok ok wait... Tokio Hotel is just the next generation. Well ok sometimes it looks like boyband, but like they said in the Times (or somethin' like that) they are juste the Bon Jovi of the Facebook generation. And look now : Bon Jovi is huge (well it's not metallica, but...). Do you know a boyband huge like that? not really, because they're not!
I love TH music, and I'm sure if they were older your opinion about them would be quite different... And I can tell you that the fans are not just screaming teenage girls : old women of 25 and 40 (yeah!) love them too!
Sarah says:

9:33 on 04/25

Tokio Hotel is absolutely amazing. They are exteremely wonderful and great, plus they give out a great message to everyone out there. Plus, German is better. ALSO> Tokio hotel was named "the best band in the whole world" last year.YEAH! TOKIO HOTEL ROCKS!
Renee says:

10:32 on 04/25

Sarah and everyone else has it completely right. The main thing a journalist MUST do is research. I found TH on the internet one day back in September and immediately liked their sound. I read everything I could find about them that was in english or translated to learn more about them. Their songs relate with alot of issues that Young Adults face and inspire alot of the younger generation and help them out in difficult times. I have seen plenty of comments to the band about this. My nieces and son listen to them are die hard fans. If you had done your homework you would have learned in a very short amount of time they are loved.....everywhere, they have worked their butts off playing live pretty much year round for the past couple of years with just little time off but that is who they are and what they love...PLAYING LIVE FOR THEIR FANS. You don't have to like them who cares...you have your opinions.....but you are missing out.
Charlotte says:

1:40 on 04/26

MTV, I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'm falling in love with you.

Thank you so much for the support and featuring of Tokio Hotel that has been going on around here lately! I am coming up on my first anniversary of being a TH fan, and so seeing this now just blows my mind. Tokio Hotel are genuine, talented, hardworking, *and* good-looking and I am ever so pleased that they are getting airtime and blogtime on MTV!

Though I do take slight issue with the "tween sensation" classification– the band members are all 18-21 years old, and a LOT of fans have not been "tweens" for a good many years– I think this blog entry rocks, and dankeschön for writing it! I hope to see more of Tokio Hotel in the MTV Newsroom (and elsewhere on MTV).

Oh, and thank you very much for updating the entry about the narration. And you're very right, Tom is adorable.
Moni says:

4:58 on 04/26

Thank you MTV for featuring Tokio Hotel, I love your intro;

"We here at MTV News are haunted by his compellingly shiny plastic doll’s face, framed with hair like the world’s most incredibly anime porcupine. Wait — he kind of looks like a member of Jem and the Holograms…"

Heee, but it seems like I am one of the only ones, did everyone loose their sense of humor!

Anyway amazing hair and looks aside, Tokio Hotel are a great and authentic Rock Band, I love their music and Bills voice is beautiful.

Please do not get drawn into the 'tween' thing, I hate that word it is always used disparagingly. Tokio Hotel have fans of all ages and both sexes and the younger ones deserve better than to be reduced to 'tweens'!

Than you.
Yessi says:

8:55 on 04/26

THANK YOU SO MUCH for puting them ON!! All of the fans are grateful that tokio hotel are finally getting credit here in america. Fom the lyrics to the performing, it really gives us a thrill of having them so close to us, here in the states!!
READY SET GO!! TOKIO HOTEL!!!
Silke says:

10:43 on 04/26

pfff..
the european fans did the same thing: also learned german and english (duh) ^^
(I'm from Europe :p )
x
Jerry says:

11:48 on 04/26

I'm someone who, for the past year now, has "felt truly, deeply moved to follow the continuing American adventures of the German tween sensation that is Tokio Hotel" and I agree with most of the comments made here. This is the best band I've heard in decades.

As a forty eight year old fan, however, I recognize that your reference to NKOTB was more of a cultural reference than a musical reference and as someone who knew the Wahlberg family "back in the day" I'm compelled to state one thing in there defense. They became the prototype for the casted boyband but they, themselves, were childhood friends who dreamed big and worked hard to make it happen just like Tokio Hotel. They were never asked to develop musically as Tokio Hotel has done. They were poor kids from the mean streets of Dorchester who became world famous and made enough money to not have to scratch and claw their way through life. They have nothing to be ashamed of.

This generation will just not settle for looks, harmonies and choreography. That's the fascinating difference that makes this ride so fun to be on. As generations change things come full circle. There are a lot of us fans over forty precisely because Tokio Hotel is leading the third Rock generation's charge to make Rock & Roll a relevant social force again.
ema! says:

12:48 on 04/26

DUDE! SAWEET TH are like AMAZING!~!
Cats says:

1:40 on 04/26

Thank you for the article, but please stop referring to Tokio Hotel as a tween/teen band. They are 18, 19 and 21 respectively and although they do have a lot of fans in the 18-24 demographic they also have a lot of fans over 25, well into their 30's and even 40's.

I know the reference to NKOTB can be attributed to their popularity and the hysterical reaction they generate but they are not just another boy band. Tokio Hotel have been together for 7 years, playing their own instruments and writing most of their own music to get where they are right now. Their music appeals to all ages and if they are this good now I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in the future. I love this band so much! Thank you for supporting "their continuing American adventures"!
Becca says:

2:07 on 04/26

I LOVE TOKIO HOTEL!! they rock for sureee!!

and i agree comparing them to NKOTB is not right at all.. did any of them play their own instruments??
tokio hotel is a BAND! not a tween/pop/boy band!!
they write their music and perform with their OWN instruments!!
also another thing.. TH does not have choreographed dances!!!
there is a big Difference!!

newho.. i am learning German for them!!
and i am very happy that yall are writing about tokio hotel..
more publicity more fame.. cant wait til they officially break the american market!!
it will truly be a "beatles" phenomenon!!
Dropthetacos says:

2:55 on 04/26

Tokio Hotel is AMAZING! I would love to see more of them on MTV! :)
Mariana says:

3:20 on 04/26

These guys are my passion. This is adorable and I am so proud of them.
Annie says:

5:03 on 04/26

Of course I can hear the sarcastic undertone in your post, but as you can see from all those comments, we are not fazed by criticism. Tokio Hotel are truly special and it is, especially because they ARE from Germany, a unique band. No other German band has been so successful outside Germany, and even more, made people sing along in GERMAN. That alone is worth celebrating
( especially if you are from Germany, like myself ). But also, it's the way they treat their fans and that I've never experienced such an incredible strong fanbase which unites people from all over the world. That is what makes them a true contender for even breaking the American market. And they very much deserve it, because they are working hard and there is simply no competition. C'mon MTV guys, give them a chance. You won't regret it. It's us, the fans who pay your wages!!! I'm very much looking forward to many more Tokio Hotel success all over the world.
Oh, and btw. I'm not even a tweeny anymore!!!!
Soula says:

5:17 on 04/26

yeah..come on guys! Thats Tom! Get your facts straight!
Vonda says:

6:54 on 04/26

the whole bit about bill's hair getting body once he is liberated in the ready set go video is great. I totally agree with the bit about his hair looking like a porcupine(I named my hedgehog after him). I can't wait to see them in concert again.
Lilly says:

1:07 on 04/27

Thank You MTV! Lol, Bill is really something unique, isn't he?

But, as many already expressed in these comments, please stop calling them a teenieband.
I'm one of Tokio Hotels many, many older fans and no other band has made me go so completely *gaga* over their apperance, music and lyrics. And I'm a former hardcore grungegirl...
Tokio Hotel are a bunch of genuine, honest, hardworking supertalents & superb live acts. They have an incredible dedicated fanbase all over the world, seldom seen before. And they sure deserve it.

Thank you so much for this humorous article and I'm absolutely thrilled over their upcoming US-launch. *Das ist so gail!*
loverth says:

12:49 on 04/29

I think it is a superficial/cruel criticism
I invite you to hear their music first¡¡
and Bill Kaulitz is not a doll is a person. He is THE PERFECT BOY.

Greetings from Spain to American fans it is incredible that you are doing for TH.

Bill es perfecto el grupo es increible su musica es ROCK del bueno fuera prejuicios¡¡¡¡
LaLa says:

9:38 on 05/05

Please!!!! Can't we all just get along!!!!!
Ayanna says:

6:55 on 05/06

ughhhhhhhhhhhh, i loaf Tokio Hotel yesh, i am 14, but who gives a S***? dont call me an Fnn tween n S***! im not one of those fnn shreckin fangirls that sing over them at concerts and shout when they are singing, i can hold my self like a "big girl"
i have known about TH ever since 2006-2007 but i havent heard their music till now. i really love them and glad to hear their in the USA
LUV YAH TH, MUCH LOVE TO TOM!!!
Musik says:

5:31 on 05/09

Natural talent? More like manufactured for the teenie boppers. Sony BMG took them under contract. Hoffmann hired David Jost and Pat Benzner into the team of creators and authors, and had them give the teens instruction on songwriting and instrument playing. However, shortly before release of their first album, Sony terminated their contract. In 2005, Universal Music Group took Tokio Hotel under contract and developed a marketing plan. Just like all the other music out now all marketing nothing more.
morgan says:

8:48 on 05/09

i love tokio hotel
they rock my socks off! lol
Doly says:

10:17 on 05/10

I absolutelly agree with rebecca and breeze,They never follow the tipicall fashion they are diferent to anybody else in this world and i really love them for this,kisses,Doly
ICH LIEBE BILL UND TOKIO HOTEL FÜR IMMER!!!
Jessi says:

8:04 on 05/13

My god I love these boys! They are gorgeous and their music is totally kick ass! They are the most distinguished band I have ever seen or heard. They need to expand their tour the next time they're in the states!

ICH LIEBE TOKIO HOTEL!

ps- Tom is narrating the video...not Bill. XD
muzik=life says:

8:23 on 05/13

I would have to say that 'Musik' is 100% WRONG!
They have all been into music since they were little. Bill has a natural, beautiful voice! And as for them getting instructions on how to write and play music...Bill has been writing songs since he was little and they were playing music ever since they were the called 'Devilish'. WAY before they signed any contract.

Tokio Hotel is an KICK ASS band! I LOVE THEM! I really hope they can go to more cities when they come back to the states!
Nathali says:

10:03 on 05/13

TOKIO HOTEL IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
megan says:

6:01 on 05/14

ok i agree that they have been writing music and stuff since they were little. but bill is SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

way hotter than tom but no offense to him. and wats funny if u watch videos of bill without make up on he actually looks like toms twin tehe.

love,
ME (tokio hotel knocks me dead)