Kernkraft 400

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"Kernkraft 400"
Single by Zombie Nation
from the album Leichenschmaus
Released1999
GenreElectronic[1]
Length4:46
LabelGigolo
Songwriter(s)
  • Emanuel Günther
  • Florian Senfter
  • David Whittaker
Producer(s)Zombie Nation
Music video
"Kernkraft 400" on YouTube

"Kernkraft 400" (English: Nuclear Energy 400) is a song performed by German techno artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. Released in 1999, it peaked at number 22 in Germany in February 2000 while becoming a top-10 hit in the Netherlands and Belgium's Flanders region a few months later. In September, the song debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, remaining there for two weeks, and has received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of at least 400,000 units.

The song is commonly used as a sports chant at sport stadiums (such as in American football, Association football, baseball, basketball, and hockey) all over the world and was ranked number eight by Sports Illustrated in their list of "Top 10 Stadium Anthems".[2] The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", which is a remix of the soundtrack of the 1984 Commodore 64 game Lazy Jones by David Whittaker called "Star Dust" which was made with the SID chip. Though permission for the sampling was not initially granted, Florian Senfter ("Splank!") paid an undisclosed sum to David Whittaker for the use of the melody.[3]

The song is sometimes mislabeled as "Zombie Nation", as the artist's name can be heard in the otherwise instrumental track.

Release

"Kernkraft 400" was released in Germany by Gigolo Records in 1999. The single was released in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2000 by Data Records.[4][5]

Music video

The music video of "Kernkraft 400" starts out inside a nuclear power plant room where an infomercial host (Florian Senfter) dressed in '70s disco clothing comes out and later two models (Cindy and Mindy) come onto scene dancing. One model puts a plate of food into a trademarked Kernkraft 400™ microwave oven, which cooks the food much faster and hotter than the other model's conventional microwave oven. Mindy then gets into a standard tanning bed, while Cindy waits before getting into a Kernkraft 400™. Mindy reveals a sunburnt tan, while Cindy has a perfect sun tan which has even worked under her beachwear. Finally, the host sits on a couch in the studio, off camera, where he examines a standard vibrator and a Kernkraft 400™ version. As the camera pulls away, both women are seen running towards the host while the video production staff are seen wearing hazmat suits.

The video was produced and directed by Hendrik Hölzemann, Grischa Schmitz and Dominique Schuchman who at that time were studying film at the Filmacademy Ludwigsburg, under the name Panic Pictures.

Reception

Select gave the single a review noting its widespread popularity stating that it was "as welcome in Pacha as in the Munich underpass, Tongo and Coxo like this Teutonic techno," as well as noting it was "Not bad for a couple of DJs called Splank and Mooner".[4]

In the liner notes of the Kiss mix album Kiss House Nation 2001, Mixmag music editor Matthew Kershaw named the song among 2000's "uncategorisable" club tracks, noting it "was championed everywhere from children's television to the most underground techno clubs. Was it techno, trance, electro or house? No-one knew, and frankly, no one cared."[6]

In popular culture

"Kernkraft 400" first received US radio airplay on now defunct station Energy 92.7 & 5 in Chicago, Illinois in 2001. Due to its popularity with all ages on that station it was first introduced to sports fans at Chicago Rush arena football games. The song was not a featured song during player introductions but received regular play during timeouts and commercial breaks to assist in keeping the indoor American Football fans loud and aroused at the team's home field at Allstate Arena in suburban Rosemont, Il.

"Kernkraft 400" has been sampled by various artists, including rapper The Game in the single "Red Nation".[7] The song is used by the Boston Bruins and Milwaukee Admirals, who both play it at home games after a goal is scored.[8] The Bruins have been using it ever since the song was originally released. The Toronto Maple Leafs used the song at home games after a goal was scored from 1999 to 2013.[9][10][11] It grew in popularity within the hockey community during the 2011, 2013, and 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Bruins had three deep runs. The Pittsburgh Steelers have played this song pre-game kickoff since before 2010. The Seattle Mariners also play the song after a big hit or during rallies at T-Mobile Park.[12][13] The Los Angeles Dodgers play the song after a home run.[14] Penn State football has been using "Kernkraft 400" since as early as 2005. During the break in the song, fans chant "We Are Penn State."[15] The song became a semi-official anthem for Welsh football fans during their country's qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2016. This stems from an incident after their 0–0 draw with Belgium at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels, in which the travelling Welsh fans danced enthusiastically to the song being played over the stadium's public address system.[16] As a result, the song was played before the return fixture at Cardiff City Stadium on 12 June 2015.[17]

Tranmere Rovers also use the theme track before the players come out to get the crowd roaring. In the NBA, most teams used this song as their starting lineup music or hype music. One good example is in Oklahoma City using it in the 2018 NBA Playoffs Game 2 versus the Utah Jazz.

The UCF Knights began using "Kernkraft 400" as their rallying anthem at least as early as 2007 with the opening of FBC Mortgage Stadium.[18] When the song plays, UCF fans jump chanting "U-C-F Knights" during the breaks in the song. The song became controversial on campus as it became a cue for fans to start jumping, which when done in unison makes the stadium reverberate and bounce, earning it the nickname, "The Bounce House". University officials originally wanted to stop playing the song all together for the longevity of the built stadium, but after safety inspections showed no structural damage, they instead settled on playing shorter clips of the song fewer times during a game.[19]

Yasuaki Yamasaki who plays for Yokohama DeNA Baystars, Japan's Central League, uses "Kernkraft 400" as an intro song when he takes the mound with so-called fans' Yasuaki-Jump in Japan.

"Kernkraft 400" is featured in the soundtrack of the 2012 video game NHL 13, which uses the "Stadium Chant Mix" version.[20]

The New Jersey Devils used "Kernkraft 400" as a goal song in their first year during the 2007-08 season at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer uses this song when they score a goal.

The Atlanta Braves play this song when they win.

The Real Valladolid play this song when they score. Celtic play this song when they score or win in the Glasgow Derby at home.

In Italy, A.C. Milan of Serie A uses this song when they score a goal.

In the Netherlands, PSV Eindhoven of the Eredivisie uses this song when they score a goal.

On May 8, 2022 W268BB 101.5 in State College, Pennsylvania launched the station by playing this song over and over for a week.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Kernkraft 400 (A Better Day)"

On 1 July 2022, German DJ Topic and Swedish singer A7S released the cover "Kernkraft 400 (A Better Day)."[45] The song charted at 26 on the German chart.[46]

References

  1. ^ Dancing Astronaut staff (19 March 2019). "Zombie Nation released their beloved, inescapable jock jam 'Kernkraft 400' 20 years ago". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  2. ^ Mustard, Extra (29 September 2015). "Ranking the Top 10 Stadium Anthems". SI.com. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  3. ^ "OK Computer!". NME. 30 June 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2001. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  4. ^ a b "tracks of the month reviews". Select. EMAP Metro: 99. October 2000. ISSN 0959-8367.
  5. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting September 18, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 16 September 2000. p. 31. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. ^ Kiss House Nation 2001 (tray insert). various artists. Universal Music TV. 2000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ "Game f. Lil Wayne - Red Nation [Prod. Cool & Dre] | New Hip Hop Music & All The New Rap Songs 2011". HipHop DX. 17 March 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Boston Bruins 2015-2016 Goal Horn {HQ} - YouTube". YouTube. 10 September 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  9. ^ Leafs Beat: Maple Leafs need new song, top centre Toronto Star
  10. ^ Auston Matthews in Favor of Changing Up Maple Leafs Goal Song Sports Illustrated
  11. ^ How do they choose what music to play, and when, during Maple Leafs games? Toronto Life
  12. ^ "Seattle Mariners Ballpark Music | Mariners.com: Fan Forum". Seattle.Mariners.MLB.com. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  13. ^ Pentis, Andrew (2 August 2012). "Stadium Songs: Seattle Mariners". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Ballpark Music". Los Angeles Dodgers.
  15. ^ Horan, Kevin. "Zombie song will fade out". Daily Collegian.
  16. ^ Rogers, Gareth (18 November 2014). "Watch Wales fans enjoy the best two minutes of their Belgium trip as they dance to Zombie Nation". Wales Online. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  17. ^ Rogers, Gareth (12 June 2015). "Wales v Belgium Zombie Nation: Watch the amazing moment Welsh and Belgian fans rave to Kernkraft 400". Wales Online. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Jumpy Fans Worry UCF". Orlando Sentinel. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  19. ^ "New Knightmare Song Gains Popularity Amongst UCF Football Fans - UCF". UCF Athletics.
  20. ^ "NHL 13 Soundtrack Replicates Authentic In-Arena Hockey Experience". EA Sports. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  21. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 309.
  22. ^ "Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  23. ^ "Zombie Nation Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 September 2019.[dead link]
  24. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7160." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 42. 14 October 2000. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  27. ^ "Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 4. 20 January 2001. p. 20. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kernkraft 400". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  30. ^ "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 21 September 2000". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 29 May 2019.[dead link]
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  32. ^ "Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  34. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  36. ^ "Zombie Nation Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  37. ^ "Zombie Nation Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Zombie Nation Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  39. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  40. ^ "Top 100 of 2000". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  41. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  42. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  43. ^ "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England: United Business Media. 20 January 2001. p. 25.
  44. ^ "British single certifications – Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Topic, A7S - Kernkraft 400 (A Better Day) (Radio Date: 01-07-2022)". EarOne. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  46. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

External links

The Story of the Biggest Sports Stadium Hit: "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation - VICE Video

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