Unconventional Pairing: Helene Fischer and Otto Sing the Well-known 'Baby Shark' Song - Unusual Collaboration: Helene Fischer and Otto Performing Baby Shark
Helene Fischer, the renowned German singer, is set to release her new album, "Die schönsten Kinderlieder (Feiern und Tanzen)", on September 12. One of the standout tracks from the album is the cover of the viral children's hit, "Baby Shark". Fischer is collaborating with Otto Waalkes, a comedian and musician, on this unique rendition.
"Baby Shark" originated as a campfire song in the USA and Canada, but its exact origins remain unclear. The new version by Fischer and Waalkes sees Fischer taking on the role of "Mommy Shark" while Waalkes steps into various roles, including "Baby Shark" and "Daddy Shark".
This collaboration is an example of musicians, actors, and comedians pushing boundaries and trying something new. It's a move reminiscent of the unexpected duo of Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, who combined Mercury's theatrical pop voice with Caballé's full operatic voice in the 1987 power ballad "Barcelona".
Collaborations that mix very different musical genres, styles, or artist backgrounds are not uncommon. For instance, Billie Joe Armstrong, the punk rocker of Green Day, and Norah Jones, the jazz singer-songwriter, created the tribute album Foreverly in 2009. The album mixed punk and jazz influences, showcasing surprising harmony between their different styles.
Similarly, Tom Jones, the pop crooner, and David Gilmour, the Pink Floyd guitarist, performed a unique cover of Prince’s "Purple Rain" in 1992. Their collaboration merged Jones’ soulful vocals with Gilmour’s psychedelic rock guitar, creating a blend of genres rarely heard together.
In recent years, we've seen Berlin rapper Sido and music cabaret artist Helge Schneider collaborate on the satirical work anthem "Arbeit" for Sido's 2020 album "Ich & keine Maske". In the early 2000s, Stefan Raab turned the quote from Green politician Christian Ströbele "Free the hemp" into a song, incorporating Shaggy.
90s Eurodance star Blümchen, alias Jasmin Wagner, also ventured into unexpected collaborations, teaming up with US star David Hasselhoff in 2019 to create the summer song "Summer go away".
The 2016 version by the South Korean company Pinkfong holds the record for the most-watched YouTube video of all time with over 16 billion views. However, it is unlikely that the new version by Helene Fischer and Otto Waalkes will break this record.
Regardless, the collaboration between Fischer and Waalkes is a testament to the power of unexpected partnerships and the willingness of artists to step out of their comfort zones. The new album, "Die schönsten Kinderlieder (Feiern und Tanzen)", is sure to be a fascinating exploration of this spirit.
References: 1. Foreverly - Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones 2. Crossover hits in dancehall music 3. Tom Jones and David Gilmour - Purple Rain 4. Skylar Grey and Eminem - C'mon Let Me Ride
I'm not going to be able to compete with the record-breaking success of Pinkfong's "Baby Shark" on YouTube, but the entertaining collaboration between Helene Fischer and Otto Waalkes on "Baby Shark" is a testament to the appeal of unexpected partnerships in the realm of music and pop-culture. This collaboration mirrors the unexpected harmony between Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones in the 2009 album "Foreverly."
