Peter Schilling - "Major Tom" at the top of the charts after 42 years
## Re-Entry into the Top Ten after 42 years
In March, Peter Schilling (68) was chosen as the new anthem for celebrations through a fan petition with the song "Major Tom (Completely Lost)". Since then, the hit spaceship from the 80s has no height limit. The latest record mark: The "Abgeh-Song" has reached the Top Ten again after 42 years. It currently ranks sixth in the German charts. According to market research institute GfK, "Major Tom" is the first song in German chart history to achieve the feat of landing in the Top Ten in its original version more than 40 years after its release. Thus, "Major Tom" outperforms Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" (37 years) and Band Aid with "Do They Know It's Christmas" (36 years).
Peter Schilling and "Major Tom" today on the Fan Mile
"Major Tom" took off for its first flight in November 1982. At that time, the song reached the top of the German charts and stayed there for eight weeks. It also topped the charts in Austria and Switzerland. Schilling wrote German music history by lifting off with "Major Tom" and his debut album "Fehler im System" for a worldwide victory. The English version "Major Tom (Coming Home)" climbed to number 14 on the US Billboard Charts. Worldwide, the single sold over six million copies. To this day, it is one of the most successful German productions both domestically and abroad.
Not taken off, but with honest joy and humility, Peter Schilling deals with his unexpected success: "I thought I had the best time of my career behind me. But the best time is now." Before the Viertelfinal-Clash in his hometown, the Stuttgart hit-maker is expected to be seen on the Berlin Fan Mile on the Friday beforehand. There, he wants to give the fans of the German team the necessary push for a hopefully successful match against Spain.
Peter Schilling's "Major Tom" song, now in sixth place after 42 years, outperformed notable tracks by Kate Bush and Band Aid in the German charts, as reported by GfK. This resurgence in popularity has led to Peter Schilling being invited to perform on the Fan Mile before Germany's UEFA EURO 2024 quarterfinal clash, seeking to inspire fans with his timeless hit "Single Major Tom", a reference to the original 1982 German release.
