https://youtu.be/yx5xhlwUxxA

There were A LOT of songs about nuclear war in 80s music. German youth in the 80s was very aware that in nuclear war Germany (being a huge part of the east west border) would just be ground zero to be vaporized in WW3.

Thinking about Germany people associate the Autobahn, what some don’t know - there were pre-built detonation chambers so key sections and bridges could be mined with atomic demolition munitions in order to stop the east bloc tank armies from advancing.

ChatGpt translation of the song lyrics:

When in the Canale Grande submarines drop anchor
And on St. Peter’s Square in Rome missile launch pads stand
When a carpet of bombs floats over the bazaar of Ankara
And from the hills of Olympus a Pershing II rises

Then everything is long too late
Then, when nothing works anymore
Visit Europe
As long as it still stands

In front of the old Cologne Cathedral a mushroom cloud rises into the air
And the sky is filled with the scent of neutron waffles
When in Paris the Eiffel Tower bows westward in a final salute
And near Big Ben a gentle Alpine glow appears

Then everything is long too late
Then, when nothing works anymore
Visit Europe
As long as it still stands

When haute cuisine turns into a witch’s cauldron
Where the cook from overseas flambés his old world
There’s laughter and applause, even the waiter gets a kick
What’s left to us but culture — we wish you bon appétit

Then everything is long too late
Then, when nothing works anymore
Visit Europe
As long as it still stands
Yes, then everything is long too late
Then, when nothing works anymore
Visit Europe
As long as it still stands
As long as it still stands, as long as it still stands
As long as it still stands, as long as it still stands