“Nur geträumt” by Nena is a vibrant, emotionally charged song that marked the explosive debut of the German band Nena in 1982. The song was written by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen with lyrics by Nena and her then boyfriend Rolf Brendel, the band’s drummer. it was released as the lead single from Nena’s platinum self-titled debut album with “Ganz Oben” on the B-side.. The single was released in May 1982 with “Ganz Oben” on the B-side.
Musically, it’s a catchy, synth-driven pop-rock track with a bouncy rhythm, bright keyboard hooks, and edgy guitar lines—all wrapped in a kind of raw, youthful energy. Nena’s distinctive, expressive voice carries a mix of longing and frustration, giving the song both a pop sweetness and a rebellious punch.
Lyrically, “Nur geträumt” tells the story of someone who’s dreamed of a passionate moment with someone they care about—only to wake up and realize it wasn’t real. There’s a tension between fantasy and reality, and a feeling of emotional urgency that comes through in lines like “Ich hab’ heute nichts versäumt / Denn ich hab’ nur von dir geträumt” (“I didn’t miss anything today / Because I only dreamed of you”). It’s about desire, disappointment, and that lingering ache after waking from a beautiful dream.
The record initially went unnoticed until August 1982, when Nena made a “legendary” TV appearance in Musikladen TV show. The record, released with a new cover, achieved previously unknown daily sales figures of up to 40,000 copies and catapulted Nena to stardom in Germany, and its success laid the groundwork for their global breakout with “99 Luftballons” the following year. Even decades later, “Nur geträumt” remains a beloved track—nostalgic, energetic, and full of that unmistakable early ’80s charm.
In 1984, the song was recorded with English lyrics by Julian Dawson as “Just A Dream” for their international album “99 Luftballons”