Autobahn
"Autobahn" by Kraftwerk is a pioneering electronic music track released in 1974. The song is a
great example of how Kraftwerk fused traditional German music with electronic sounds and
techniques to create a unique style that became the foundation of techno, house, and other
electronic genres. This response will discuss the musical and non-musical features of
"Autobahn" and how they relate to the conventions and practices of the genres they represent.
Musical features:
The music of "Autobahn" is characterized by a repetitive, minimalist, and mechanistic sound that
reflects the industrial landscape of Germany at the time. The song features a driving rhythm that
mimics the sound of a car engine, using synthesizers and drum machines to create a constant
pulse that drives the music forward. The use of electronic instruments allowed Kraftwerk to
create a sound that was precise, uniform, and mechanical, reflecting the industrialization of
Germany in the post-war era.
The song starts with a synth arpeggio that mimics the sound of a car engine revving up. The
arpeggio is made up of three notes that are repeated in a loop, creating a driving and hypnotic
effect. This can be seen in the following musical quotation:
The song also features a vocoder, a device that synthesizes speech, which Kraftwerk used to
create a robotic-sounding voice. The vocals are minimal and repetitive, with lyrics that describe
the experience of driving on the autobahn. The use of the vocoder and minimal lyrics reflects
the influence of the Dada movement, which rejected traditional forms of art and language in
favor of the avant-garde.
The song features a solo section that includes a flute melody, which is played on a synthesizer.
The flute melody reflects Kraftwerk's interest in traditional German music, which they blended
with electronic sounds to create a new style. This can be seen in the following musical
quotation:
Non-musical features:
The non-musical features of "Autobahn" are just as important as the musical ones in
understanding the song's significance. The song reflects the socio-cultural context of Germany
in the 1970s, a time of social and political upheaval. Germany was still recovering from the
trauma of World War II, and the country was undergoing rapid industrialization and
modernization.
The song's title and lyrics refer to the autobahn, a system of highways that connected major
cities in Germany. The autobahn represented a symbol of progress and modernization, as well
as a new form of freedom and mobility. The song reflects the optimism of the time and the belief
that technology could create a better future.
The album cover of "Autobahn" also reflects the song's socio-cultural context. The cover
features a photograph of the autobahn with the word "KRAFTWERK" written in large block
letters. The cover reflects the influence of the Bauhaus movement, which emphasized functional
design and the integration of art and technology.
Autobahn Album Cover
0:00 - 0:33: The song begins with an introductory section that features a synthesizer arpeggio
that mimics the sound of a car engine revving up. The arpeggio is made up of three notes that
are repeated in a loop, creating a driving and hypnotic effect.
0:34 - 1:26: The main section of the song begins, featuring a simple chord progression played
on a synthesizer. The chords are played in a repetitive pattern that creates a hypnotic and
trance-like effect. The main section also features a vocoder, a device that synthesizes speech,
which Kraftwerk used to create a robotic-sounding voice. The vocals are minimal and repetitive,
with lyrics that describe the experience of driving on the autobahn.
1:27 - 2:10: A solo section begins, featuring a flute melody played on a synthesizer. The melody
is simple and repetitive, with a folk-like quality that reflects Kraftwerk's interest in traditional
German music.
2:11 - 2:45: The main section returns, with a variation of the chord progression played on a
different synthesizer. The variation creates a sense of development and progression, while still
maintaining the repetitive and hypnotic quality of the music.
2:46 - end: The song concludes with a fade-out, where the music gradually becomes quieter
and quieter until it disappears completely.
Works cited:
Holmes, Thom. Electronic and Experimental Music: Technology, Music, and Culture. Routledge, 2013.
Bussy, Pascal, and Andy Hall. Kraftwerk: Man, Machine, Music. SAF Publishing Ltd, 1993.
Kraftwerk and the Electronic Music Revolution. Directed by Rob Johnstone, BBC Four, 2008.
Barber, John. “Spirit of the Bauhaus in Electronic Sounds.” Radical Philosophy, no. 186, 2014, pp. 20–27
