While the United States doesn’t have an official language, I can easily say that English is one of the more common in America. Sometimes, our pop charts reflect the diversity we have in this country. Here are a few pop songs in a foreign language that became big hits in the United States.
1. “99 Luftballons” by Nena.
The German recording artist Nena had an unlikely hit with an anti-war song, “99 Luftballons.” It hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. The song was so popular that Nena re-recorded it in English, but “99 Red Balloons” failed to have the same success in America, strangely.
2. “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens.
While it’s known as a Mexican folk song, Ritchie Valens recorded a rock n’ roll version of the song in 1958. It was a smash hit, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and currently ranks as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time.
3. “Dominique” by The Singing Nun.
Jeanine Deckers AKA The Singing Nun had a the #1 hit song in America in 1963 with “Dominique,” a catchy little pop tune in French. The song was so popular that it outsold Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
4. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio.
Not only was “Macarena” a hit song for three solid years in the 90s, but it was also a dance craze that continues at every wedding, Bar Mitzvah, and gathering of senior citizens today. The Spanish duo Los del Río is still active today, while they’re known as the greatest one-hit wonder of all-time.
5. “Da Da Da” by Trio.
In 1982, the German band Trio released the song “Da Da Da” and it hit the U.S. dance charts. It peaked at #33 and had a resurgence in 1997 with a series of Volkswagen of America and Microsoft commercials. Bonus: The complete title of the song is “Da da da, ich lieb’ dich nicht du liebst mich nicht aha aha aha.”
6. “Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto.
In 1963, Japanese artist Kyu Sakamoto released “Sukiyaki” in the United States. The song reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and stands as the only Japanese song to chart at #1.
7. “Ca plane pour moi” by Plastic Bertrand.
The catchy pop song from Belgian singer Plastic Bertrand hit #47 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1977. While Plastic Bertrand admitted he didn’t perform the song, it’s still one of the catchiest French pop tunes you’ll ever listen to.
8. “Al di là” by Emilio Pericoli.
Peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, Italian singer Emilio Pericoli found success with the song “Al di là.”
9. “Sadness (Part I)” by Enigma.
The unlikely dance hit from Enigma featured Gregorian chants in French and Latin hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard’s dance charts in 1990. It was a weird time in pop music.
10. “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco.
Austrian recording artist Falco released “Rock Me Amadeus” in America in 1986. While Falco is known as a One-Hit Wonder, “Rock Me Amadeus” rocked the Billboard Hot 100 at the coveted #1 spot.
11. “Zou Bisou Bisou” by Jessica Paré.
After airing during the season premiere of Mad Men in 2012, “Zou Bisou Bisou” actually became a giant hit on iTunes and in Canada. Sung by actress Jessica Paré, the song is a great way to kick off a new season of Mad Men, amiright?
12. “Gangnam Style” by PSY.
During the summer of 2012, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” was virtually everywhere. It was the first and only video on YouTube to garner more that two billion views, as it, surprisingly, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.