In an interview with TSN Ukraine, Klaus Meine spoke about the decision to change the lyrics of one of the Scorpions , "Wind of Change".
The song, which was written after the band played in Russia in 1988, was initially inspired by that visit and celebrated the beginning of democratic change with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Currently, instead of mentioning the city of Moscow and Gorky Park in the line " Follow the Moskva / Down to Gorky Park ", Meine sings " Now listen to my heart, it says Ukraine".
“When I wrote 'Wind Of Change', it was about the time the Scorpions went to the Soviet Union for the first time in 1988 and played 10 shows in Leningrad. After all those years living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall and under the Iron Curtain, we live as we have the chance to build bridges with music and unite people,” says Klaus Meine.
“[The song] was very much inspired by that moment of hope, of waiting for a more peaceful world and coming together towards a peaceful future. That was the expression. And many years later, now, I think the song has lost its meaning as a hymn of peace and hope. I had to change the lyrics.”
The Scorpions' vocalist refers to the change brought about by the current socio-political context, in which Russia is at war with Ukraine after invading the autonomous country. Meine, who is German, also asserted that "the German people strongly support Ukraine," to the point that, when "Wind of Change" was written, his goal was to show Russians "a new generation of Germans. One that doesn't come with tanks and weapons bringing war, but rather with guitars and rock 'n' roll bringing love" (via Blabbermouth ).
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