The fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago started a domino effect which saw the Soviet Union collapse and the landscape of Europe change forever. As these events were taking place across the continent, the Scorpions' hit "Wind of Change" - released on November 6, 1990 - captured the feeling of the times better than any other and will forever be associated with those revolutionary years.

The Scorpions story began in Hanover in 1965 when guitarist Rudolf Schenker started a band inspired by the beat sound popular at the time. After singer-songwriter Klaus Meine joined the band they released their debut LP, "Lonesome Crow." In 1975 the Scorpions released their debut single, "In Trance," which established their hard rock sound.

The Scorpions became Germany's premiere hard rock band and enjoyed success outside of their native country. In 1984 they released the "Love at First Sting" album, which went double platinum in the United States and provided the Top Ten Hit "Rock You Like a Hurricane."

"I follow the Moskva, down to Gorky Park, listening to the wind of change…"

By the late 80's, change was sweeping through Eastern Europe, and this new atmosphere of hope and freedom inspired the Scorpions' best-known song. An increasing number of demonstrations for freedom and democracy, independence from Soviet control and the fall of the Berlin Wall all signaled the imminent end of the Cold War and provided the inspiration for "Wind of Change."

"The future’s in the air, can feel it everywhere, blowing with the wind of change…"

As well as celebrating the new freedoms for citizens of the former Warsaw Pact countries, "Wind of Change" also describes the world contracting and people from both political sides being able to live together again like brothers. As the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union were such unexpected events, many people hearing the song would have shared in the band’s sense of disbelief.

"Did you ever think that we could be so close like brothers…"

"Wind of Change" first appeared on the "Crazy World" album in 1990 but wasn’t released as a single until April 1991. However, anyone thinking the Scorpions had missed the boat in providing the soundtrack to a changing Europe were soon proven wrong.

The song was a smash hit all over Europe; it charted in 78 countries, made No. 1 in seven (including, of course, Germany), reached a respectable No. 2 in the UK and even took fourth place on the United States Billboard Hot 100. It was the best-selling single of 1991 in Germany, and in a recent poll by the German television broadcaster ZDF, it was voted as "Song of the Century."

"Where the children of tomorrow dream away, in the wind of change…"

If the developments taking place in Europe in the late 80's and early 90's required an official anthem, it would appear to be "Wind of Change." The Scorpions managed to succinctly encapsulate the political zeitgeist in a mere five minutes. "Wind of Change" is a wistful, melancholic track soaked in disbelief and wonder; a song that is especially poignant this year.

Author: Gavin Blackburn

Editor: Sean Sinico