Depeche Mode’s Udo Linden and Dave Gahan
Photo: AFP via Getty Images, Tristar Media/ANNA KURTH. All rights reserved.
The German market research institute GfK has published the German half-year charts for 2023. In the singles category, Udo Lindenberg’s /Apache 207’s “Komet” took first place. When it comes to albums, Depeche Mode tops the charts with “Memento Mori”.
German and German-speaking acts strongly represented in the charts
Miley Cyrus came in second for singles with “Flowers”. Shortly thereafter follows Ayliva and Mero’s “Sieweiß”, “I’m Good (Blue)” by David Guetta in a duet with Bebe Rexha, and “Wildberry Lillet” by Nina Chuba. It is striking that many German or German-speaking artists are dominating the single charts this year. In addition to Aylivia and Mero, Peter Fox also has a place in the top 10 of the first half of the year with his “Zukunft Pink”. When it comes to genres, the German single charts are dominated by hip-hop (40 places), pop (29 places) and electronic/dance (17 places).
In terms of albums, British synth-pop legends Depeche Mode took pole position. With “Memento Mori”, the first album since the death of founding member Andy Fletcher, Dave Gahan and Martin Gore prevailed against the competition. Behind them, Metallica took second place with “72 Seasons”. This is followed by Herbert Grönemeyer’s meanwhile 17th studio album “Das ist los”. Nina Chuba’s “Glas” and Pink’s “Trustfall” are the only women in the top 10 at number four and seven, respectively. Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” just missed out on a top ten spot. However, their concert announcements in Germany have already caused masterful euphoria.
German and German-speaking musicians are also strongly represented on the albums. Almost two thirds of all albums are sung in German, which may be due to the many representatives from the hit genre (including Roland Kaiser’s “Perspektiven” in 15th place).
GfK creates its half-yearly charts based on the sales or usage data of 2,800 retailers from stationary retail, e-commerce, download portals and streaming platforms. The period runs from the first to the 26th calendar week.