Ever since this series began, I’ve always thought that if I were to write a column about cycling and music, I would eventually feature Kraftwerk’s “Tour de France” at just the right moment. With their live performance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2024 now making waves, I feel that now is the perfect time to introduce it.
Formed in 1970, the German electronic music group Kraftwerk, known for designing their own album covers and visual images, is a quintessential example of so-called Krautrock (German rock) and a pioneer of techno-pop. They greatly influenced not only YMO but also the British new wave scene, particularly the electro-pop/synth-pop movement known as New Romantic in the 1980s. Although they project a robotic, emotionless, inorganic, and ascetic mystique, they are often referred to as “The Beatles of electronic dance music” due to their fusion of funky rhythms, musique concrète, and pop music. Notably, Kraftwerk has also had a significant impact on black music genres such as hip-hop and electro-funk, spearheaded by Afrika Bambaataa, as well as Detroit techno, symbolised by artists like Juan Atkins and Derrick May.
Kraftwerk is also known for its members’ keen interest in cycling, and their 1983 release “Tour de France” is a masterpiece inspired by their experiences and the famous cycling race of the same name. The music video even features footage of cycling. The following year, the track was used in the film ‘Breakdance’ (original title ‘Breakin”) and was also remixed by house music luminary François Kevorkian.
The first time I consciously listened to Kraftwerk in real-time was with their 1986 album ‘Electric Cafe’. However, during my school days around the same period, I also got to hear this song that celebrates the joy of cycling. I remember being strongly impressed by Kraftwerk’s unique sound-making, which mixes simple electro percussion with sampled voices and mechanical sounds related to cycling. The melody even quotes “Sonata for Flute and Piano” by the modern German classical composer Paul Hindemith.
When I was a university student, I bought this record because I was drawn to the vivid artwork featuring the four members in sharp cycling attire adorned with the French flag’s tricolour. The A-side contained the German version, and the B-side had the French version. I should also mention that in 2003, they released the original album ‘Tour de France Soundtracks’ to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France, which includes a retake of this song.
