Trans-Europe Express

by Kraftwerk

Trans-Europe Express cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: August 1977
  • Label: Kling Klang
  • Country: Germany
  • Length: 7:25
  • Community rating: 4.49/5 from 5 ratings

Artists on this release: Wolfgang Fl眉r, Emil Schult, Klaus Dinger, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos, Klaus R枚der, Michael Rother, Andreas Hohmann, Ralf H眉tter

Album Notes & Community Reviews

A monumental achievement in electronic music, conceptually romanticizing the sprawling European railway network. The track utilizes custom-built sequencers to mimic the hypnotic, mechanical rhythm of a moving train across a sparse, metallic soundscape. Its profound influence resonated heavily across the Atlantic, where Afrika Bambaataa famously interpolated its melody to help birth the electro-hip-hop movement.

Genres

Descriptors: rhythmic, repetitive, melodic, travel, electronic

Tracklist

  1. Trans Europe Express (4:00)
  2. Franz Schubert (3:25)

Credits

More from Kraftwerk: full discography