By Mark Nobes, chief editor
Falco was massive in his home country of Austria, but had just two Top 40 hits here in the UK, the other being the follow-up single Vienna Calling which peaked at #10., which saved him from being an 80s one hit wonder, at least!
Rock Me Amadeus was a number one hit in 12 countries, including the U.S. and Austria, and the lyrics were about the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - it's just a pity I couldn't understand them, though!
Falco became the first German-speaking artist to score a #1 single in the U.S. and he also scored worldwide hits with several other songs during the 80s, including Der Kommissar and Jeanny.
In the opening of the video, we see a sharply-dressed Falco sat in the back of a horse drawn carriage which is taking him to a masquerade ball - there is a similar opening to the video of his 1998 song "Out of the Dark", in which he is sat in the back of a luxury classic car (Not sure if it's a Rolls Royce or a Bentley) and stroking a cat. At the ball, he arrogantly walks through a line of people who bow and curtsey to him. Also, we see Falco dressed as Amadeus Mozart with a pink wig and having a rage fest with a large gang of bikers - at one point is is being carried on the bikers shoulders and there is also a lot of angry fist waving.
Sadly, Falco died from his injuries after a collision with a bus on 6th February 1998. At the time of his death he was planning a comeback.
Check out the 12" American version of Rock Me Amadeus at my blog 80s Remix.
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