The Model by Kraftwerk (Das Model)

This classic track from the German band Kraftwerk hit the top spot in the UK charts in 1982, but was recorded and originally released in 1978 with German lyrics of course on the album Man Machine and as a single in Germany in 1978 before being included in the UK (with English lyrics) as a B side to Computer Love in  July 1981.  It was was re-released in the UK in December 1981 by EMI with The Model as the A side, apparently against the bands wishes.  Wonder what they think now every year when the big royalty cheque arrives!  I wonder how many other songs have taken that long to hit it big?

The lyrics are not complex or hard to understand.  Pretty damning view on the life and morals of models!  Actually, I recently saw a better analysis in the Men In Black 3 - all models are aliens!

She's a model and she's looking good
I'd like to take her home that's understood
She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time
It only takes a camera to change her mind


She's going out tonight, loves drinking just champagne
And she has been checking nearly all the men
She's playing her game and you can hear them say
She is looking good, for beauty we will pay


She's posing for consumer products now and then
For every camera she gives the best she can
I saw her on the cover of a magazine
Now she's a big success, I want to meet her again

Kraftwerk (this means Power Station in English) had been around since 1970 and were early pioneers of electronic music. They often used home-developed vocoders or computers for the vocals. The band was extremely influential and their sound can be heard in early Human League, Joy Division, New Order and OMD albums. The band are extremely secretive and rarely give interviews.

Here is another great version, with the German lyrics, from German TV in 1980.

And it would not be a surprise for me to include a cover too!  Wel. sort of.  This is a brilliant mashup of The Model and I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred!