Munich

Album: The Back Room (2005)
Charted: 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Munich" is a song by British post-punk revival band Editors. Originally written in Birmingham before the band was signed, the title "Munich" has no connection to the Bavarian capital city, according to frontman Tom Smith. "It was just a stamp to give our song," he explained to Music Week.
  • A searing guitar, a cymbal sprint and a new Order-esque bassline are all employed in support of Smith's baritone vocals. The lyrics are like cryptic whispers, hinting at isolation, a yearning to belong. It's a soundscape of urban anxieties, a soundtrack for feeling lost in the city crowd.
  • "Munich" was originally released on April 18, 2005, as the second single from Editors' debut album, The Back Room, peaking at #22 in the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released on January 2, 2006, this time reaching #10 in the UK.
  • The song was played when the guests were introduced on the long-running English television program A Question of Sport. "Munich" was also used in the TV shows:

    Eastenders ("Episode #1.6880" - 2024)
    Cold Case ("Joseph" - 2006)
    Waterloo Road (various episodes)

    "Munich" also shows up in the 2008 supernatural-horror movie Waterloo Road.
  • As referee Michael Oliver blew for full time after the April 28, 2024, Tottenham v Arsenal North London derby, the person in charge of the Tottenham sound system flicked the music on. Out blasted "Munich." Arsenal had crashed out of the Champions League after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich a couple of weeks previously. Was the playing of "Munich" a savage coincidence or a hilarious case of shade thrown by the DJ?

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.