The song “?” (“Fragezeichen”) is a track by the German band Nena, released in December 1983. It is the title track and the lead single from their second studio album, also named “? (Fragezeichen)”. Following the international success of their hit single “99 Luftballons,” this song continued to establish Nena as a significant band in the German New Wave (Neue Deutsche Welle) movement.
The song “? (Fragezeichen)” was written by band keyboardist Jörn-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen with lyrics by Nena Kerner. The album and the single were produced by Reinhold Heil and Manne Praeker.
“? (Fragezeichen)” translates to “Question Mark” in English. The song’s lyrics revolve around themes of uncertainty and existential questioning. Musically, “? (Fragezeichen)” embodies the energetic and melodic style of Nena’s music. The song features prominent synthesizers, a driving beat, and catchy guitar riffs, combined with Nena’s expressive vocals. The production creates a dynamic and engaging sound that was a hallmark of the Neue Deutsche Welle movement.
“? (Fragezeichen)” was successful in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It reached number one in Switzerland, 3 in Germany, and number 4 in Austria, demonstrating Nena’s continued popularity following the success of “99 Luftballons.” While it did not achieve the same international recognition as “99 Luftballons,” it solidified the band’s presence in the European music scene.