Top Ten Most Popular Songs of the 2010s in Austria
Like every country, Austria loves music and has songs it adores and goes crazy about. Our radio stations, TV stations and newspapers form a large part of our pop culture, but in recent years, the internet caught on as well. What we look at now are songs from the 2010s decade that Austrians love and that are impossible to avoid when you are here. Therefore, we take a look at the music that are already on their way of becoming instant classics.Initial commercial success isn’t a guarantee a song sticks around. Sometimes a number one hit is forgotten as soon as the short lived hype wears off. On the other hand it happens that tracks that are “just” in the top ten, if at all, remain in people’s heads and radio DJ’s playlists.
For this list, I took a look, or rather a listen, at personal experience only. Which songs are present whenever the radio is turned on? Which songs do you hear out in the streets blasting from someone's speakers? Which songs are featured in the media, and not just the current charts?
When it comes to songs will still be remembered and played in the years to come, these tracks are a safe bet.
Helene Fischer’s single that turned her from a popular singer to THE biggest star of German language Europe. Written by Kristina Bach, the earworm topped the Austrian charts for 4 weeks, and managed to stay in the top ten for another 36. In Germany, the song received a diamond certificate, and its success sparked over to Austria, where the song is still heard in all the big media and was awarded double platinum. Whether you own or even like it or not, you know this song by heart because it’s inescapable. Fischer was a popular singer before who had a strong media presence and a handful of hits. But after this song, she sold out stadiums and had albums that received up to 18 times platinum.
The version I added is the most popular and best known one, which is used in the music video, and is usually heard on the radio or performed live. The album version that uses a different (and much less infectious) beat is rarely heard.
I don't think such massive international hits need much explaining. They were big and loved all around the globe, probably for the very same reasons. It's a great song that appeals to everyone, no matter which age or gender they have.
Gossip may be an American band, but while they were underground and not all too successful or famous in their home country, they were big stars in German speaking countries since the late 2000s and their record “Music For Men”. They would release only one more album in 2012 before disbanding, but it contained the smash hit “Move in the Right Direction”. The uplifting disco song plays at least once a day on Austrian radio stations and is loved by pretty much everyone.
What was actually planned only a musical indie/folk side project by two barely famous people (an comedian who had just begun his career and a T.V. director) suddenly turned them into musical superstars in Austria with multi-platinum album sales. “Ham kummst” touched the nerve of Austria’s sense of subtle humor and storytelling. It’s one of these songs that pop up whenever you turn on the radio, and remained on top of the charts for five weeks.
Probably Rihanna's biggest hit next to "Umbrella", maybe even more popular. The ballad is heard on the daily and guaranteed Rihanna a top spot in the A-league of singers of her generation.
It may be a bit early to include this song from 2017, as we don't know if this song will be just as popular in the years to come, but I am very sure it will. It was on top of the charts for numerous weeks, months even, and even now, a year after its release, it's still huge. It's safe to assume it will become a classic of the decade.
Although it also charted in the US, “Girl on Fire” was an even bigger smash hit in Austria - which is surprising, as she is a lot more successful in the US, this being only her fourth top ten entry as a main artist over here. The song not only topped the charts, it’s also an instant classic that has since received daily airplay. The no rap version is heard much more often.
In 2012, YouTube became pretty huge, causing the first German YouTubers to make a living out of their videos. Also in 2012, "Gangnam Style" became the trend song of the year, all around the world. This was when people realized that YouTube can make a star out of everyone, no matter where they come from. It knows no cultural borders.
"Gangnam Style" was fun, a lot of fun actually, and this is much appreciated.
In 2011, Swedish art pop singer Lykke Li released the ballad “I Follow Rivers” to no significant success over here. One year later, the Magician Remix of the song was introduced, and suddenly became a big hit in German language countries, peaking at number 2 in Austria. The club beats combined with the apathetic indie vocals obviously got through to people. The same year, the Belgian band Triggerfinger recorded a stripped down cover version which managed to become even more popular than the original. Radically different in tone, it is based mostly around an acoustic guitar, whistling and vocals. This version topped the Austrian charts (in Germany, the original was more successful). Both versions receive extensive airplay.
Audio sample is the Magician Remix, which is the version that became famous over here and got all the airplay and commercial success.
