General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 66........"No Matter Where You Are In The World, If You're In The Bathroom I Still Think European"

I've always thought it was difficult for artists not from the UK, Australia, or Canada to make it big even for a minute in the United States not only because of the language barrier that so many of them face, but because of the record companies that might not have as big of an international presence. While some of these bands are hits the world over, they have to record in English (even if they couldn't speak it in a conversation) in order to be seen even for a second in the music promised land, the United States.

In order to be considered for this category, the artist/band had to be from a European country that is NOT in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, NORTHERN Ireland for all of you Geography remedials out there). Also receiving votes in this category was "Puttin' On The Ritz" by Taco, "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco, and "99 Luftballons" by Nena.

"Zombie"- Cranberries. I know everyone is a big fan of their song "Linger", but I had to go with a song that was a little bit different from anything they did. For one song, The Cranberries thought they were a grundge band with this 1994 protest song over "The Troubles" between Ireland and the IRA of Northern Ireland. This song was written by lead singer Dolore O'Riordan after the violence spilled into England with a bombing in Warrington that killed 2 children. This video follows the usual dark tone of most alternative rock videos of the 1990's of being quite confusing, and in a way disturbing. However, I have seen this song done masterfully in karaoke by several females, and it continues to be one of my favorite rock songs from the 1990's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts

"Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of"- U2. Staying in Ireland, U2 followed up their huge album "Pop" with 2000's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind" with this being the second single to follow up the hit "Beautiful Day". I had always been a casual U2 until my sophomore year of college when my roommate, who is quite possibly the biggest U2 fan ever played their music not only in excess, but all the time. I always appreciated him getting me in to some new bands. I have tried 3 times now to watch this video, but seeing Bono upside down makes me really dizzy, sorry can't do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqFXZMdpMuk

"Take A Chance On Me"- ABBA. In 1977, Swedish supergroup ABBA was on top of the world, and in the midst of selling their 375 million albums worldwide. When their album simply called "The Album" hit the record stores in 1977, this lead single made it a hot commodity, with the single actually selling more copies than their biggest hit "Dancing Queen" in the United States, despite it only peaking at #3 in the USA. I'm gonna go on record by saying that Agnetha Faltskog (the blonde) was one of the better looking women in music in the late 1970's and has aged extremely well, and despite the negative stereotype of European women being hygiene challenged, she has definitely bucked that trend. Yes, I know she is 60 years old now, but come on what's wrong with paying a woman a compliment when it's deserved?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crgQGdpZR0

"Lovefool"- The Cardigans. Wow, I keep going back to back with countries, but Swedish rock band the Cardigans "sold their soul" according to their loyal fan base in 1996 by going away from their rock sound with this hit song that appeared on the 1996 soundtrack of "Romeo and Juilet", and a couple of years later, "Cruel Intentions". Despite the backlash from their fans, the song shot to #1 and made their third studio album "First Band On The Moon" a huge success. Even though she looks completely psycho in this video, lead singer Nina Persson is also super hot! What is it about these Swedish women? Bonus points for the guy not paying attention to the lap dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuQ0AQ7YWS8

"Take On Me"- Ah-Ha. I'm glad I get to feature these guys from Norway again. However, I still think I'm watching an episode of "Speed Racer" on MTV, then I switch it to "Reading Rainbow" when the hand comes out of the book. Someone please explain to me where the bad guys came from and PLEASE tell me why Morten Harket wants to slam himself into the wall when he gets OUT of the book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914

"Monsoon"- Tokio Hotel. Yes! I get to put our "gay" German friends on here again, didn't we confirm that, Devon? Let me also say that it's really confusing being a German band with a Japanese city in your name. Anyone else think so? This song was actually Tokio Hotel's first English single in 2007 on their first English album "Scream". This video is awesome- between flying in the helicopter and actually jumping out it seems like something off of "Fear Factor", but it gets ruined for me when I have to figure out why Bill Kaulitz has a typewriter in the limousine with him while no one is driving. Bonus points for this song being on Guitar Hero. This is my favorite song on this list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le_IyYLrUtQ

"Wind of Change"- Scorpions. Dangit! I did it again. The Scorpions were the first band from Germany to get big in the United States with "Rock You Like a Hurricane", and later this song that seems like a protest song if you watch the video, but Klaus Meine was writing about how happy he was about the changes in Eastern Europe of the late 80's and early 90's which included the fall of communism. After the band visited Russia in 1989, they were inspired to record this song. This song hit #4 in the United States. This song remains the best selling worldwide single by a band from Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RjJKxsamQ

"Dragostea Din Tei"- O-Zone. Ok, I never said the song had to be in English! Anyone who has seen the internet video is very familiar with this song (which was sampled by T.I. on his song "Live Your Life"). O-Zone made the country of Moldova proud with their hit record also known as the "Numa Numa Song" off of their 2004 album "DiscO-Zone" that was a European smash hit and actually cracked the Top 100 in the United States despite it being recorded in Romanian. Despite the song's major worldwide success, the band broke up a year later in 2005. I really like how these guys really wanna act like they are an American boy band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRx5PrAlUdY

"Out Of My Hands"- Milow. I know I've featured this song before, but it's too good to not put on here again. This song from Milow's latest self-titled album has propelled this singer/songwriter from Belgium to platinum record status all over Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. It's only a matter of time before Milow is just as big in the United States. Remember, you heard it here first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTBKXiNA2dE

"All The Things She Said"- t.A.T.u. It's hard to believe that as big as Russia is, they've only produced one real worldwide musical group, and it was these two ladies, who just can't seem to keep their hands off of each other. I watch this video and it really makes me seriously just stop and stare for a second. Not only am I confused by the premise, but I am trying to figure out whethere or not these girls aren't lovers. I don't think t.A.T.u. ever came out and said they were LGBT, but I really wouldn't be surprised. With that being said, bonus points for the girls hugging in the rain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mGBaXPlri8

"Nothing Compares 2 U"- Sinead O'Connor. Before you talk about how awesome Sinead O'Connor is, please remember that Prince wrote this song and that Sinead's only hit was this song (COVER SONG ALERT!). However, I will say that this is a good video just because Sinead was so convincing in her acting the part of the song. Now, if Sinead O'Connor would have put that much energy into actually advancing her career instead of embarassing the people of Ireland with her antics she might have actually have been taken seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUiTQvT0W_0

"Girl, I'm Gonna Miss You"- Milli Vanilli. Admit it, you really wanted to see these guys be for real in the end. However, every time I see this or other videos of theirs, it just always seems like it's a different person from song to song. These guys should have been able to make great music videos since they were so used to lip synching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZG-VvlErJY

"The Final Countdown"- Europe. I stand corrected, Europe was from Sweden, I have no idea why I thought they were from Norway. I hate that their biggest song wasn't their best, but you have to give these guys all kinds of bonus points for this one. Not only is the song played in NBA/NHL arenas all over the dang country, but FOUR, count 'em FOUR professional wrestlers have used this song as their entrance music, including The Great Muta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

"Barbie Girl"- Aqua. Whatever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dGcYH6Fwj8

"A Beautiful Life"- Ace of Base. As overplayed as these guys were in the mid 90's, you have to actually give them credit for being successful while being unfairly compared to ABBA despite their styles being nothing alike (but their female members were hotter- MORE HOT SWEDISH WOMEN!). While their songs that made 7th grade girls hateable in 1994-1995, I have to admit even I was impressed when this lead single off of their sophomore album "The Bridge" followed up their smash debut album "The Sign" to worldwide success with a super cool video to go along with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyly3JtXoy4

"I Don't Like Mondays"- The Boomtown Rats. Bob Geldof in a way is Ireland's version of Bruce Springsteen. Despite only having 3 big hits to his band's credit, he always seems to be the guy sticking his nose in the political scene and is never shy for face time any time European artsists are having a "save the world" moment. Admirable, yes, but come on man it gets old. Unlike Springsteen though, he actually has a cool song in this song here performed at the London performance of Live Aid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaGnwx62FRU