AI song charts in Germany – but people are saying it’s problematic
Take a listen below…
Credit: MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty Images
As musical AI advances, it’s becoming simpler than ever for anyone to bash out a decent track. Whether you’re using Voice-Swap’s AI vocal modelling, or just want TikTok’s AI Song to conjure up a silly jingle, artificial intelligence can transform a tone-deaf dream into a chart-worthy hit, with the right guidance.
Think we’re exaggerating? Just check the current German pop charts. Coming in at number 48, Verknallt in einen Talahon is the first AI-generated song in history to chart in Germany.
The ’70s-inspired crooner track immediately transports you back to the days of twanging Europop. It’s totally nostalgic – because every inch of it, including the artwork, is created by AI. The track is a patchwork of the past, culminating in a timeless pop sound.
German producer Butterbro is the man behind the track. Initially intended as a joke among friends, the creation was never expected to make such a wave with the German public.
Take the subject matter, and it was clearly a satirical creation; the track name, Verknallt in einen Talahon, translates to ‘In Love With A Talahon.’ According to blue News, ‘Talahon’ is used to describe aggressive young men with “an abstruse world view” centring around sexism, patriarchal control and “glorifying violence”.
Uber-macho misogynists draped in Gucci aren’t often the primary focus of a beautiful, timeless love song. It’s the German equivalent of writing an ode to a ‘roadman’ or ‘hypebeast’. It’s clear Butterbro crafted – or prompted – the track with a certain degree of irony.
Of course, in-jokes with your pals are never understood by everyone. People are branding the pop tune as problematic due to its use of the term ‘Talahon.’ The term is sometimes used as a racial slur by far-right groups, often alluding to young immigrants.
While Butterbro hasn’t made any comments on his divisive AI anthem, there’s no denying that the German public love it. DJs are knocking Verknallt in einen Talahon out in clubs, and the German public are happy to howl along to every word.
@domy.berger DU STEHST IM BIERKÖNIG UND ES KOMMT DIESER SONG 🤯 #domyberger #djdomy #bierkönig #bierkönigmallorca #ballermann #alterbereich #talahon #verknalltineinentalahon
A study back in December showed that 30% of musicians surveyed used ChatGPT for songwriting, and it’s likely those numbers have risen since. Butterbro’s track could very well be a sign of AI music’s impending takeover.
