Computer World
Encyclopedia
Computer World is the eighth studio album by the German electronic music
band Kraftwerk
, released in May 1981. The album deals with the themes of the rise of computers within society. Critics see this album as a peak in the career of Kraftwerk, along with Autobahn
and Trans-Europe Express
. The compositions are credited to Ralf Hütter
, Florian Schneider
, and Karl Bartos
.
In keeping with the album’s concept, Kraftwerk showcased their music on an ambitious world tour and issued several versions of the single, "Pocket Calculator". The song is also sung in German—"Taschenrechner", French—"Mini Calculateur", and Japanese—"Dentaku" (電卓). While not major, it should also be noted that there are a few noticeable differences in the album mixes used on the English- and German-language releases.
As was the case with the two previous albums, Computer World was released in both German and English language editions. The title of the final track is in English in all releases, as it is a pun based on the slogan "It's more fun to compete!" that could be seen on old pinball machines.
The track "Computer Love" was released as a 7-inch single in the UK, in July 1981, backed with "The Model", from the group's previous album The Man-Machine
. The single reached number 36 in the charts. In December 1981 the two songs were reissued as a double A-side 12-inch single
, and reached number one on the UK pop charts in February 1982, although "The Model" received the most airplay.
"Computerwelt" was remixed in 1982 as a punchier-sounding dance version, with additional bass and percussion. It was released in January 1982 as a twelve-inch vinyl single only in Germany. The original track was nominated for a Grammy award
in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Computer World was also chosen by the BBC
for use in the titles of their UK computer literacy project, The Computer Programme
.
Side one
Side two
Wolfgang Flür is included in the general list of contributors to the software but is not credited with a performing role.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
band Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
, released in May 1981. The album deals with the themes of the rise of computers within society. Critics see this album as a peak in the career of Kraftwerk, along with Autobahn
Autobahn (album)
Autobahn is the fourth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in November 1974. The 22-minute title track "Autobahn" was edited to about 3 minutes for single release and reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and performed even higher around Europe, including...
and Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express (album)
Trans-Europe Express is the sixth studio album by German electronic music band Kraftwerk. Recorded in mid-1976 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the album was released in March 1977 on Kling Klang Records. The album's themes were influenced by friends who suggested writing songs about the Trans-Europ...
. The compositions are credited to Ralf Hütter
Ralf Hütter
Ralf Hütter is the lead singer, keyboardist, and reportedly leader of the electronic-music band Kraftwerk. Since the departure of Florian Schneider in 2008, he is also the group's sole remaining founding member....
, Florian Schneider
Florian Schneider
Florian Schneider-Esleben is one of the founding members of electronic music band Kraftwerk. He left the band in November 2008.-Career:...
, and Karl Bartos
Karl Bartos
Karl Bartos was, between 1975 and 1990, along with Wolfgang Flür, an electronic percussionist in the electronic-music group Kraftwerk. He was originally recruited to play on its US "Autobahn" tour...
.
In keeping with the album’s concept, Kraftwerk showcased their music on an ambitious world tour and issued several versions of the single, "Pocket Calculator". The song is also sung in German—"Taschenrechner", French—"Mini Calculateur", and Japanese—"Dentaku" (電卓). While not major, it should also be noted that there are a few noticeable differences in the album mixes used on the English- and German-language releases.
As was the case with the two previous albums, Computer World was released in both German and English language editions. The title of the final track is in English in all releases, as it is a pun based on the slogan "It's more fun to compete!" that could be seen on old pinball machines.
The track "Computer Love" was released as a 7-inch single in the UK, in July 1981, backed with "The Model", from the group's previous album The Man-Machine
The Man-Machine
The Man-Machine is the seventh studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in May 1978. It contains the song "The Model" which was a chart-topping single in the UK in 1982....
. The single reached number 36 in the charts. In December 1981 the two songs were reissued as a double A-side 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
, and reached number one on the UK pop charts in February 1982, although "The Model" received the most airplay.
"Computerwelt" was remixed in 1982 as a punchier-sounding dance version, with additional bass and percussion. It was released in January 1982 as a twelve-inch vinyl single only in Germany. The original track was nominated for a Grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Computer World was also chosen by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
for use in the titles of their UK computer literacy project, The Computer Programme
The Computer Programme
The Computer Programme was a TV series, produced by Paul Kriwaczek, originally broadcast by the BBC in 1982. The idea behind the series was to introduce people to computers and show them what they were capable of. The BBC wanted to use their own computer, so the BBC Micro was developed as part of...
.
Track listing
All songs written by Karl Bartos, Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider, except where noted.Side one
- "Computer World" ("Computerwelt") (Karl Bartos, Ralf Hutter, Florian Schneider, Emil Schult) – 5:05
- "Pocket Calculator" ("Taschenrechner") (Bartos, Hutter, Schult) – 4:55
- "Numbers" ("Nummern") – 3:19
- "Computer World, Part 2" ("Computerwelt 2") – 3:21
Side two
- "Computer LoveComputer Love (Kraftwerk song)Computer Love is a song by the German electronic band Kraftwerk. It was released on the 1981 album Computer World and as a single in the same year...
" ("Computerliebe") (Bartos, Hutter, Schult) – 7:15 - "Home Computer" ("Heimcomputer") – 6:17
- "It's More Fun to Compute" – 4:13
Personnel
The original 1981 sleeve notes are relatively unspecific regarding roles, merely listing all the equipment suppliers and technicians under the heading Hardware and the various other people involved, such as photographers, as Software. By contrast, the 2009 remaster notes give the performer credits as the following:- Ralf Hütter — voice, vocoder, synthesizer, orchestron, synthanorma sequenzer, keyboards, electronics, producer
- Florian Schneider — vocoder, speech synthesis, synthesizer, electronics, producer
- Karl Bartos — electronic percussion
- Guenter Spachtholz — engineer
Wolfgang Flür is included in the general list of contributors to the software but is not credited with a performing role.