TOP5 most successful Hungarian music hits that conquered the world overseas – VIDEOS

No matter how complex the lyrics are, these Hungarian music hits have conquered the world overseas with their rhythm and melody.

Rezső Seress: Gloomy Sunday (Szomorú Vasárnap)

There is a Hungarian song that is known almost all over the world. From Louie Armstrong through Marianne Faithfull, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Björk, and Portishead to Sinead O’Connor, almost every star in the world has sung it. This is the “Hungarian Suicide Song”, or Gloomy Sunday, whose original singer may have been world-famous, but he stayed in Budapest and continued living a modest life.

As Nullahategy reports, Rezső Seress never learned to write music or play the piano, but he created an atmosphere in smoky, wine-smoking pubs from 6 pm until dawn that was a wonder to Hungary and the world. He performed his compositions for forty years for the guests of the smoky pub but was never attracted to enjoy the success of his hit song abroad. The Hungarian artist received lucrative contracts and was offered a significant amount of money to perform at least once in a gala concert at Carnegie Hall. However, Rezső Seress did not go anywhere, instead, he sat down at the rickety piano in the Kispipa restaurant every evening at six o’clock to entertain the local audience.

Omega: Pearl-haired girl (Gyöngyhajú lány)

In addition to their domestic success, the Hungarian Omega’s hit, “Pearl-haired Girl” (Gyöngyhajú lány), is also a big success overseas. The catchy hit was even used in an Australian bank commercial in 2021.

Additionally, American rapper Kanye West was also inspired by the Hungarian hit. Unfortunately, however, he did so in a legally questionable way. The American rap star used Omega’s former hit “Pearl-haired Girl” in his song “New Slaves” in 2013 but without prior agreement with the song’s authors. The two parties eventually agreed out of court. According to certain information, Kanye West eventually paid $100,000 (29 million forints) to the rights owner and the authors of the Hungarian hit song, reported Blikk.

Lokomotiv GT: Motor City Love (Szólj rám, ha hangosan énekelek)

LGT’s overseas career is still considered a dream come true for every young musician in Hungary. The band played more than 30 concerts in 25 cities in the USA in the early 70s, all of them with great interest surrounding their “delicacy” imported from a Communist country. The first and only Lokomotiv GT album in the US is reportedly still available overseas at ABC record stores. One of their greatest music hits, “Motor City Love”, is also on this album.

Jolly: Chiki Chiki Chan Chan (Ciki Ciki Bam Bam)

Hungarian singer Jolly has soared to the top of the Japanese charts with one of his best-known songs. But there was more to come, as the hit became the theme song of the comic book adaptation “Ya Boy Kongming!”. These types of cartoons are hugely popular in Japan and in many other parts of the world.

According to the Hungarian singer, the Japanese publisher approached him to buy the song two years ago. Since then, it has been used for the manga series and has become available on several platforms. The company plans to translate the song into several languages other than Japanese, reported Blikk Rúzs.

Queen: Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt

One of the most memorable concert experiences in Budapest can be attributed to the band Queen, who visited the Hungarian capital in 1986 to give a fantastic show. The unforgettable concert was attended by 80,000 people, leaving its mark in the history of Budapest’s greatest concerts. As a sign of respect, the band’s frontman Freddie Mercury even sang to the audience the Hungarian children’s song “Spring Wind Floods Water” (Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt). One of the most memorable moments, for sure.

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Source: nullahategy.hu, blikk.hu, blikkruzs.blikk.hu