Komet (song)

"Komet"
Single by Udo Lindenberg and Apache 207
from the album Gartenstadt
LanguageGerman
Released19 January 2023 (2023-01-19)
GenrePop rock
Length2:47
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jumpa
  • SIRA
Udo Lindenberg singles chronology
"Mittendrin"
(2021) 		"Komet"
(2023)
Apache 207 singles chronology
"Nie mehr gehen"
(2022) 		"Komet"
(2023) 		"Breaking Your Heart"
(2023)
Music video
"Komet" on YouTube

"Komet" (German pronunciation: [koˈmeːt]; transl. "Comet") is a song by German singer Udo Lindenberg and rapper Apache 207. It was released on 19 January 2023 by Warner as the lead single from the latter's upcoming second studio album Gartenstadt.

After debuting at number two in Germany, the song went on to reach number one in its second week, holding the top spot for 21 non-consecutive weeks. In doing so, the song became the longest-running number-one song of all time in Germany, even tying the record of longest running number-one songs predating the current chart publishing. Additionally, Lindenberg achieved his first number-one song in his over-50-year career, while Apache earned his eleventh number-one on the chart. It also topped the Austrian charts in April 2023.

Background

The collaboration came about after Lindenberg visited an Apache 207 concert.[1] According to him, the rapper left a lasting impression, calling Apache a "stand-out" among other "Gangsta-rap" artists.[2] Likewise, the latter attended a concert of Lindenberg in Mannheim that year. Both decided to team up and work on music.[1] Shortly after its release, the duo was able to name a star of Perseus after the song.[3]

In wake of its instant success, Lindenberg claimed to be surprised by the gigantic numbers the song consistently pulled. While he expected the song to be a hit, he had not expected the "dimension" it would eventually take on.[4]

Composition

"Komet" starts out with Lindenberg's trademark ad-libs during the intro and devolves into a "fiery" chorus sung by Apache, who is later joined by Lindenberg. Lyrically, the Pop rock[5] song is a "tribute to life", accompanied by "nostalgic" 1980s Synth-sounds.[6]

Commercial performance

For the chart dated 27 January 2023, the song debuted at number two on the German Singles Charts behind "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus. The song reached number one in its second week, having so far topped the chart for 21 weeks in total. In doing so, "Komet" became the longest-running number-one song of all time, surpassing the previous record held by "Rivers of Babylon" (1978) by Boney M. and "Despacito" (2017) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.[7] Additionally, the song accumulated 120 million streams across all platforms in its first three months.[8]

Music video

The accompanying music video was released on 20 January 2023. It starts with a bar fight initiated by Apache after he spotted a man drugging drinks. He is then seen being put on trial with Lindenberg acting as a lawyer. Other charges include dangerous interference with road traffic, assault, property damage and theft; all of which can be seen as flashbacks during the video. Scenes of the trial were filmed at Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht. Apache is eventually sentenced to house arrest at the Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg, where both he and Lindenberg are seen smoking cigars.[9]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Komet"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[17] 3× Platinum 90,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[18] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[19] 4× Platinum 80,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fromm, Amelie (20 January 2023). "Apache 207 und Udo Lindenberg veröffentlichten gemeinsamen Song "Komet"". Stern (in German). Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. ^ Kraft, Katja (9 February 2023). "Udo Lindenberg und Apache 207 schlagen ein wie ein Komet!". Merkur (in German). Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Udo Lindenberg und Apache 207 bekommen einen Stern". T-Online (in German). 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Udo Lindenberg "geflasht" von "Komet"-Erfolg mit Apache 207". Stern (in German). 14 April 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. ^ Kistinger, Johannes (17 April 2023). "Udo Lindenberg und Apache207 egalisieren Singles-Rekord – und Depeche Mode stürzen vom Alben-Thron". Rolling Stone Germany (in German). Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. ^ Driever, Natalie (29 January 2023). "Udo Lindenberg x Apache 207 – "Komet"". 1LIVE (in German). Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  7. ^ ""Despacito" abgelöst: "Komet" jetzt größter Nummer-1-Hit aller Zeiten" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Lindenberg und Apache 207 erreichen Historisches". Die Welt (in German). 5 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  9. ^ Eichstädt, Annika (20 January 2023). ""Komet": Udo Lindenberg und Apache 207 veröffentlichen Duett". Mads (in German). Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207 – Komet" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207 – Komet" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207 – Komet". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023: Singles". Ö3 Austria Top 40. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Jahrescharts 2023" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  16. ^ "+++ Offizielle Deutsche Jahrescharts +++" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207 – Komet" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207; 'Komet')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  19. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Komet')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 August 2024.