I downloaded the Duolingo app on my phone. Fifteen minutes a day to learn a language? Cakewalk. The first few weeks were a breeze.
Then life got busy. A skipped a day. Then a few more. That’s when Duolingo unleashed their muscle. First it was just a friendly nudge. A nag. Haha. Cute. Then it seemed to escalate. They turned into telemarketers trying to grab my attention. Message upon message. After awhile it became ridiculous. When they transitioned to debt collectors forcing me to pay up my time, I had to draw the line. I deleted the app to escape the harassment.
The funny thing is, six months later I gave it another try. I’d forgotten how bad the labor pains were and unsurprisingly, the exact same thing happened again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I’m not sure how to stay motivated learning something new. I do know harassment doesn’t do the trick. The crazy thing is, I have a strange feeling I may take a stab at Duolingo again. I don’t think that phrase extends to fool me a third time. Most people learn their lesson after putting their hand in the fire once. I’m a lot denser than most. It takes me a little bit longer.
I’m not sure how a non English song became a hit in the 80’s, but it did. Falco released a few songs in German to the US. I took Spanish in high school, so I had no clue what they were singing about. But it didn’t stop me from singing along to the English part of the chorus in Rock Me Amadeus. Kind of a ridiculous song, I know. But you can’t help liking it.
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For a complete playlist, please click here.
For the Spotify playlist, please click here.
Uh, rock me Amadeus
Er war ein Punker und er lebte in der großen Stadt
Es war in Wien, war Vienna, wo er alles tat
Er hatte Schulden, denn er trank, doch ihn liebten alle Frauen
Und jede rief: „Come and rock me Amadeus!“
Er war Superstar, er war populär
Er war so exaltiert, because er hatte Flair
Er war ein Virtuose, war ein Rockidol
Und alles rief: „Come and rock me Amadeus!“
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Come and rock me Amadeus!
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Es war um 1780 und es war in Wien
No Plastik money anymore, die Banken gegen ihn
Woher die Schulden kamen, war wohl jedermann bekannt
Er war ein Mann der Frauen, Frauen liebten seinen Punk
Er war Superstar, er war so populär
Er war zu exaltiert, genau das war sein Flair
Er war ein Virtuose, war ein Rockidol
Und alles ruft noch heute: „Come and rock me Amadeus!“
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Come and rock me Amadeus!
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Come and rock me Amadeus!
Come and rock me Amadeus!
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Oh, can't you rock me Amadeus?
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus, Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus - oh, oh, oh - Amadeus
Amadeus, Amadeus!
Amadeus, Amadeus...
MyGenXerLife 
I started learning Chinese🤣, though yt, insta and even bought a register to note down the details about sound etc motivation lasted only three days.
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It’s hard to keep it up, I agree. And Chinese sounds like a difficult one to learn!
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Wasn’t there an English version of this song also?
I specifically remember hearing the “timeline“ part of the song in English.
But I always wonder what people in other countries think. And I know that American music is really big all over the world. And it’s funny because you’ll have people who don’t speak English yet they will sing songs back in English in a perfect accent.
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I’m trying to remember an English version. Another person commented that as well. I trust the masses more than my failing memory. But I only remember singing along to the chorus!
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it’s kind of like how there are both English and German versions of “99 Luftbaloons”
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Yes! I remember the English version to that one. I’ve been meaning to look up the English version to Falco’s songs ever since you mention them.
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I loved this song when i was a kid!
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Right? So odd but so good!
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That’s next level ‘motivation’ by Duolingo! Best of luck with the next try…
I know I wasn’t living under a rock in 1985 and remember a lot of Falco’s stuff, but strangely cannot recall this one!
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There were a handful of Falco songs that I remembered. I only know what they played on the radio. The song is a little odd, but catchy!
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Indeed, it is!
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Great song–much better than the English version. Somehow the edginess was lost in the translation.
As for being bullied by a program–that would happen only one time with me. I have no patience for human bullies–even less for non-human one.
I may have missed it, but just out of curiosity, what language are you trying to learn?
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I thought I’d give Japanese a try again. I took it in college, but not much stuck. My wife suggested we visit Japan again while the exchange rate was still favorable. I thought I’d get a head start just in case we went.
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I give you a lot of credit for that. Hard enough to learn another language….but another alphabet, too? All the best!
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Thanks!
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I think the best way to learn another language is to hang around some friends who speak that language, and practice speaking to them with their language. Long story short…conversation is widely considered the most effective way to learn a new language.
What language are you learning?
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I took a few Japanese classes in college but it never really stuck. I was giving a go. Seems not to have stuck again!
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I loved this song as a kid.
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Me, too! The chorus is addicting!
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It IS ridiculous but catchy as hell.
Have you checked out your library’s electronic resources? Mine has several free language learning resources, that are also apps (like Mango). You login with your library card. And they don’t pester you like DuoLingo. Which language are you trying?
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Funny you should mention the library. I just received a message to come in and renew my card. I’ll certainly check it out. Thanks!
My wife mentioned visiting Japan again while the exchange rate was still favorable. But then she had an interest in Europe, so I put Duolingo on hold until we figure out the next destination.
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I had the same experience with DuoLingo! Yet, I also tried it twice. LOL! I like your comparison to a telemarketer…so annoying. When you mentioned it, I automatically thought, “Hey, maybe I should give it another try. It wasn’t that bad, right?” Haha!
I remember the English version of this song, and they played it on the radio nonstop. Catchy tune.
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Many people have mentioned the English version. I don’t quite remember it. I’ve got to look for it.
Mary added a comment that there may be language learning resources at the library. I’m going to check it out!
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Some explanation from an Austrian 😉: while I was not a big fan of Falco when I was a teenager in the 80ies, I now have to admit that he was actually great – and ahead of his time. This song is about how Mozart in a way was also ahead of his time. Mozart was a Rockstar. He was drinking, gambling, throwing parties, he was famous – and died young. That’s what the song is about. Listening to it now, I think it’s really cool.
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Hey, thanks for that! I just remember being a dumb kid singing along to the chorus and having a good time. I like hearing about the music. I appreciate your comment!
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