A Representation of Berlin through German Songs

Abstract

This article focuses on the image of Berlin, Germany's capital, as seen through an analysis of German songs which are works of different singers and bands between the period after the construction of the Berlin Wall until its fall and the reunification of Germany. Thirty three songs written during the period of 1969-2014 were selected for the content analysis. All song analyzed here contain the name of Berlin. The results show Berlin's representation in four aspects : 1) important people  2) important geographical and historical places  3) histrorical and political views regarding the Berlin Wall,  and 4) perspectives of Berlin which contain images of Berlin as a homland, as a city of freedom, as a city for dream chasing and as a city reflecting love-hate relationships.