When Phil Collins toured in Germany with Genesis or solo, he would entertain the audience with German introductions like “Mine deutsch ist nicht zergood” which he would read out from big sheets of paper [the German equivalent would be “Mai Inglisch is nott werih guhdd”]. It is thanks to Frank Lenart’s polished translations that remain close to the original without any clumsy literal versions that Phil Collins delights us with “zergood” German on the German version of the Tarzan soundtrack. This extends to the pronunciation with a very pleasant British accent.When Phil Collins toured in Germany with Genesis or solo, he would entertain the audience with German introductions like “Mine deutsch ist nicht zergood” which he would read out from big sheets of paper [the German equivalent of “Mai Inglisch is nott werih guhdd”]. It is thanks to Frank Lenart’s polished translations that remain close to the original without any clumsy literal versions that Phil Collins delights us with “zergood” German on the German version of the Tarzan soundtrack. This extends to the pronunciation with a lovely British accent.
A compilation of Phil’s interview statements about his new “German album”: “Singing in German was easier than I thought. I was wrong thinking that French would be the easiest language and German the most difficult. I learned the lyrics phonetically. I do not speak Germany, but I think this language always sounds very good, very elegant. Of course there were one or two problems with the pronunciation. In any case it was very interesting for me to sing in the various languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish). I’d do it again. I’m anxious to know what the German listeners will say. I even consider making a German version of my next CD.”
The German version was produced by Red Rock Production. The musical boss was Leslie Mandoki, a versatile musician who had success in the 70’s with a band called Dschingis Khan. Some years back he also worked with Paul Carrack. The new version were recorded at Park Studios Tutzing.
The main difference in the content, of course, are the German lyrics sung by Phil Collins and the German voices (Eva Mattes as Kala, Heike Makatsch as Terk – the others, e.g. “Jane” Anke Engelke and “Tantor” Detlev Buck cannot be heard on the album). But the package is different, too. The artwork for the cover, the booklet and the CD itself has been changed from the English version. Two single versions of songs were added, as was a CD-ROM part. The order of the tracks was changed, too.
Soundtrack Tarzan
German original version
Edel, 0105282DNY
1. Zwei Welten 3:20
2. Dir gehört mein Herz 1:40
3. So ein Mann 2:44
4. Krach im Lager 2:17
5. Fremde wie ich 3:02
6. Zwei Welten - Reprise 0:52
7. You'll Be In My Heart 4:18
8. Trashin' The Camp 2:23
9. Strangers Like Me 3:00
10. Son Of Man 2:46
11. Two Worlds 2:42
12. Ein wundersamer Ort 5:18
13. Ein Mensch, der sich wie ein Affe bewegt 2:56
14. Die Gorillas 4:27
15. Eine Familie 3:47
16. Zwei Welten - Finale 1:15
total playing time: 46:59
CD-ROM BONUS
- Tarzan cinema trailer
- Disney's Tarzan action game demo
- Phil Collins interview - The making of the music
THE MUSIC
(Also read the review of the original soundtrack.)
1 – Zwei Welten (same as the original Two Worlds, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
2 – Dir gehört mein Herz (same as the original You’ll Be In My Heart, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
The tender and gentle German version of You’ll Be In My Heart has only one major flaw: It is too short. The song was arranged by Mark Mancina and co-produced by Collins. Actress Eva Mattes, who lends her warm voice to female Gorilla Kala (Tarzan’s “mother”) sings the first verse. Says Mattes: “Kala is drawn so incredibly beautiful. She is the warmhearted mother’s mother. She has found her child and she loves it dearly.” Collins about the song: “Tarzan sits on his mother’s shoulder and he is crying. Like every mother, Kala tries to get him to stop crying.”
It was quite a nervous Phil who performed Dir Gehört Mein Herz in Berlin on November 13, 1999, at Wetten, Dass..? [Wetten, Dass..? is probably the most popular of all big German Saturday night shows on TV; translator’s note]. Phil accompanied himself on the grand piano – and for the first time he sang in German in front of a live audience. This so-called “Berlin version” was extended by an additional verse. It was released as a bonus track of the Two Worlds maxi-CD.
3 – So Ein Mann (same as the original Son Of A Man, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
4 – Krach im Lager (original: Trashin’ The Camp)
Heike Makatsch, who lends her voice to gorilla Terk, provides the “shoobeedoo”s for this wild, percussive, accelerating jungle-swing jam-session. One Paul Bogaev is responsible for “additional music arrangement”, whatever that may be. The reviewer could not spot any difference’s from the original except for Makatsch’s efforts. Krach Im Lager follows the Disney tradition of merry songs such as Probier’s Mal Mit Gemütlichkeit and Hakuna Matata.
5 – Fremde wie ich (same as the original Strangers Like Me, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
6 – Zwei Welten – reprise (same as the original Two Worlds reprise, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
7 – You’ll Be In My Heart (original)
8 – Trashin’ The Camp (original)
9 – Strangers Like Me (Top 40 mix)
The Strangers Like Me maxi-CD does not only offer the Top 40 Mix but also another so-called A/C mix. Some may prefer this slightly more aggressive version, but the song did not really need a lifting by electric guitars and drums.
10 – Son Of Man (single version)
The added electric guitar really beefs up the song. A remarkable alternative to the familiar album recording.
11 – Two Worlds (Phil version; original)
12 – Ein Wundersamer Ort (same as the original A Wondrous Place, except for the title)
13 – Ein Mensch, Der Sich Wie Ein Affe Bewegt (same as the original Moves Like An Ape, Looks Like A Man, except for the title)
14 – Die Gorillas (same as the original The Gorillas, except for the title)
15 – Eine Familie (same as the original One Family, except for the title)
16 – Zwei Welten – finale (same as the original Two Worlds Finale, except for title, lyrics and vocals)
THE CD-ROM PART
Tarzan Trailer
The cinema trailer is provided in the Real Player and Quick Time formats. It runs for about two minutes and is aimed at getting the audience to see the film. It was shown in cinemas, but it is unknown whether it is the same version that was used for the TV commercials. Anyway, it is the German version.
Disney's Tarzan action game demo
The second bonus track is a demo version of the computer game that was published at the same time the movie was in the cinemas. It provides a glimpse at the game. The quality of the action and the graphics appear to be somewhat mediocre. One would think twice about acquiring the full version of the game.
Phil Collins Interview - The making of the music
The second Real Player/Quick Time video runs for 2:55 and it’s really interesting. We get to see and hear Phil. Bits from an interview are coupled with pieces of the feature film and shots from the recording sessions in the studio. Phil tells about the overall work on the soundtrack. We find out that Phil considered the project a challenge because of the rhythmic elements. He explains about the songs and provides some background information about the development of the music. Mark Mancina, who composed the film score, talks about the way he and Phil worked together.
You may want to pass on the German (and the French, Italian and Spanish) versions of the Tarzan soundtrack if you’ve already got the nearly identical English original (plus the singles). But you may also want to buy it if you’re a hardcore Collins fan who wants to hear Phil’s excellent vocals in unfamiliar German or if you are of the “I collect everything Genesis and related” persuasion.
To sum it all up: Collins in German? A successful experiment. It gives one an appetite for further similar probable (if the interview statement was more than a polite phrase) projects in other languages.
The 1973 Classic, remastered on CD in 2008.
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