History

First formed at the end of 1984 (Anders was 21), they unexpectedly became immensely popular with their standalone disco hit "You're My Heart, You're My Soul", which was then followed by "You Can Win If You Want" and "Cheri, Cheri Lady". They released two albums a year from 1985 to 1987 while also promoting their singles on television all over Europe. After splitting up in 1987, the duo reunited in 1998, at first only testing the waters with new versions of hit singles and again reaching the top of the charts unexpectedly. Bohlen and Anders split again in 2003 due to irreconcilable disagreements (they had never been friends in the first place). Thomas Anders started another solo career immediately, while Bohlen had by now begun devoting most of his time to new talents, especially those he discovered on the German edition of the TV show Pop Idol/American Idol.

Other facts

• Modern Talking is the only band to Score five consecutive number one singles in Germany along with Boney M.
• Their biggest hit You're My Heart - You're My Soul reached number 1 in 35 countries.
• Their hit Cheri Cheri Lady reached Number 1 in 11 countries including: Lebanon, Israel, Germany, Austria, Greece.
• Their hit Brother Louie stayed on the UK chart for 8 weeks and reached chart position No. 4 there.
• In 1988 Modern Talking record sales reached 85 million copies.
• In 1998 the comeback 7th album Back for good sold 700,000 copies in the first week in Germany.
• In 1998 at the first concert outside of Germany after their comeback in Budapest they played to 214,000 people and were shown on MTV Europe.
• They sold in excess of 100,000 copies of 'Back for Good' in a smaller market like South Africa, which translates to double platinum in that country.
• In 1999 the third version of "Brother Louie" reached the top 5 on the UK Dance chart.
• The post-reunion singles like Sexy Sexy Lover regularly reached the top 20 on the MTV Europe chart.
• In 2001 they were awarded the Top of the Pops Award as best German band, in Manchester.
• The singles Win the Race and Ready for the Victory were written at the request of the German tv station RTL for their broadcasts of Formula One racing contests.
• Many songs, including You're My Heart, You're My Soul and Cheri, Cheri Lady, have been covered by Cantopop artists during the 1980s.

Discography

Albums

• 1985 The 1st Album (Ariola) [#1 Germany, #6 South Africa, #8 Netherlands]
• 1985 Let's Talk About Love (Hansa Records) [#2 Germany, #17 Netherlands]
• 1986 Ready for Romance (Hansa Records) [#1 Germany, #19 France, #76 UK]
• 1986 In the Middle of Nowhere (Hansa Records) [#1 Germany]
• 1987 Romantic Warriors (Hansa Records) [#3 Germany]
• 1987 In the Garden of Venus (Hansa Records) [#35 Germany, #1 Turkey]
• 1998 Back for Good (Ariola) (BMG) [#1 Germany, #1 South Africa, #3 Netherlands, #9 Italy, #1 Europe, #2 World sales]
• 1999 Alone (BMG International) [#1 Germany, #1 Argentina, #5 Sweden, #9 South Korea, #11 France, #13 Spain, #17 South Africa, #6 Europe, #8 World sales]
• 2000 Year of the Dragon (BMG International) [#3 Germany, #4 Switzerland, #5 Austria, #10 Europe]
• 2001 America (BMG International) [#2 Germany, #10 Switzerland, #7 Austria, #9 Europe]
• 2002 Victory (BMG) [#1 Germany, #14 Switzerland, #7 Austria, #20 Argentina, #9 Europe]
• 2003 Universe (BMG) [#2 Germany, #25 Switzerland, #10 Austria, #11 Europe]
• 2003 The Final Album (compilation, BMG) [#3 Germany, #1 South Africa, #14 Europe]

Singles

• 1984 You're My Heart, You're My Soul [#1 Germany, #56 UK, #2 South Africa, #1 Lebanon, #15 Japan] [8 mil. sales]
• 1985 You Can Win if You Want [#1 Germany, #1 Lebanon, #70 UK, #10 South Africa]
• 1985 Cheri, Cheri Lady [#1 Germany, #1 Lebanon, #1 Israel, #7 Italy, #1 Hong Kong, #1 Greece]
• 1986 Brother Louie [#1 Germany, #4 UK, #1 Lebanon, #34 Canada]
• 1986 Atlantis is Calling (SOS for Love) [#1 Germany, #1 Spain, #3 Lebanon, #4 Italy, #55 UK]
• 1986 Geronimo's Cadillac [#3 Germany, #1 Spain, #23 Italy]
• 1986 Give Me Peace On Earth [#29 Germany, #7 Belgium]
• 1986 Lonely Tears in Chinatown [#9 only for Spain]
• 1987 Jet Airliner [#7 Germany, #16 South Africa, #3 Spain]
• 1987 In 100 Years [#30 Germany, #18 South Africa]
• 1998 You're My Heart, You're My Soul '98 [#2 Germany, #5 Lebanon, #8 Ireland]
• 1998 Brother Louie '98 [#16 Germany, #1 Argentina, #8 Lebanon, #2 France]
• 1998 Cheri Cheri Lady '98 [#1 Argentina\Air Play chart, #20 Hong Kong\Air Play Chart]
• 1999 You Are Not Alone [#7 Germany, #5 Spain, #13 France, #10 Japan /Airplay top 100, #15 Sweden, #36 Brazil]
• 1999 Sexy Sexy Lover [#16 Germany, #20 Argentina, #25 Sweden]
• 2000 China in Her Eyes [#8 Germany, #6 Spain, #26 Sweden]
• 2000 Don't Take Away My Heart [#41 Germany, #8 Hungary]
• 2001 Win the Race [#5 Germany, #1 Romania, #16 Argentina, #36 Sweden]
• 2001 Last Exit to Brooklyn [#37 Germany, #7 Russia]
• 2002 Ready for the Victory [#7 Germany, #9 Russia, #11 Spain, #13 South Korea]
• 2002 Juliet [#25 Germany, #4 Paraguay, #10 Russia]
• 2003 TV Makes the Superstar [#2 Germany, #4 Russia, #11 Europe single chart]

Compilations

• 1986 The Singles Collection
• 1987 The Modern Talking Story (Scandinavian Edition)
• 1988 Best Of Modern Talking
• 1988 You're My Heart, You're My Soul
• 1988 Romantic Dreams
• 1988 Greatest Hits Mix
• 1989 Hey You
• 1989 The Greatest Hits Of Modern Talking
• 1991 The Collection
• 1991 You Can Win If You Want
• 1994 You Can Win If You Want (re-release)
• 2000 You're My Heart, You're My Soul
• 2001 Selected Singles '85-'98
• 2001 The Very Best Of Modern Talking
• 2002 Best Of Modern Talking (re-release) [#14 France]
• 2002 The Golden Years (3xCD)
• 2002 We Still Have Dreams – The Greatest Love Ballads Of Modern Talking
• 2003 Romantic Dreams (re-release)
• 2003 Let's Talking! … Best of Modern Talking
• 2002 The Final Album (2 CDs South African Edition)
• 2003 Greatest Hits 1984-2002 (Korean Edition)