The first time many Americans heard 99 Red Balloons, it was probably sung in German in 1983. The hit was far from the only popular work to imagine the devastation awaiting a hair-trigger society. That same year, films like War Games made an accidental nuclear holocaust a believable reality. So who wrote 99 Red Balloons, and what’s the real meaning behind the words? We’ve got the answers for you. Let’s dive in!
Growing up during the Cold War, especially in West Germany, was a conflicted time. The constant threat of nuclear war made Karges appreciate the little moments in life. In 1982 during The Rolling Stones concert at The Forest Theatre, Karges witnessed something that would change his life.