The success of “Sing my song – the exchange concert” is probably the most improbable that there has been on German television in recent years. The ninth season of the show starts this Tuesday, with which Vox regularly gets ratings above the station average. Almost everything speaks against success. In an almost ludicrous way, the concept refuses everything that characterizes the great TV successes: It is a singing show – but in contrast to the talent shows “The Voice of Germany” or “DSDS” there is no drama.
No heroes are born here, there are no tragic losers. The viewer can’t root for it anywhere. You just make music for music’s sake. Similar to the jungle camp – the second successful format of our time alongside the casting shows – a bunch of celebrities gather here and can be filmed hanging out together. “Sing my song” leaves out the most defining characteristics of the jungle camp: disgust and malicious joy.
There is another element that makes the success of this show unlikely: whether Andreas Gabalier or Sarah Connor, Xavier Naidoo or Hartmut Engler, the princes or Lena Meyer-Landrut – many of the stars are not for everyone. There are even viewers who don’t like any of the artists involved, some even hate them – and yet turn on the television on Tuesdays to watch them sing. What exactly makes this show so attractive?
On the one hand, one notices – in contrast to most casting shows – that there are actually experts at work here. Unlike the many talented amateurs or semi-professionals from “The Voice” and Co., thoroughbred musicians take the microphone here, steeled by years of concert experience. In addition, the group at “Sing meine Song” is perfectly selected: Singers from different directions come together here. This makes the musical performances extremely versatile. Songs that everyone knows from the radio sound here in a completely new guise – it’s as entertaining as it is exciting.
Another factor comes into play: we see a bunch of celebs hanging out together, casually chatting and sharing glimpses of their personal lives. Unlike the jungle camp, we don’t see any celebrities who have reached the bottom. Who seize their last chance by filming themselves 24/7 and subjecting themselves to rationed food and disgust tests until they bring out the worst in themselves. With “Sing meine Song” nobody is tormented. On the contrary: Here we see successful people spending time together in optimal conditions under the blue South African sky.
In front of the fantastic backdrop of the sun setting in the sea, you sit together, chat with each other, and everyone takes turns singing a song. Who wouldn’t want to take part? The viewer gets the suggestion of a look through the keyhole. Small indiscretions are deliberately spread again and again. Never evil. And of course the artists open the treasure chest of their souls every week and allow a tiny glimpse inside. Sometimes Christina Stürmer reveals that the ballad “Mitten unterm Jahres” is about the surprising death of her grandmother, sometimes Lena Meyer-Landrut sings a song about her father – and sheds tears.
In general, at least one participant per show has to cry – because what better way to demonstrate authenticity than with your own tears? In this way, the viewer feels even closer to his star – and sympathizes with him all the more. Most importantly, he will most certainly turn on again in the coming week.
Not everything always comes from the heart of the stars, the editors are happy to help create such emotional moments. In the second season, the musicians toasted together with Christina Stürmer. It was actually her birthday on the day it was broadcast. However, the show was turned off many weeks earlier: the congratulations were therefore pure theatre.
But most viewers don’t get that. In the end everyone benefits. The TV station Vox, which is happy about grandiose quotas. The artists whose albums populate the charts in the weeks leading up to their broadcast. And the fans benefit too: they can intensify the relationship with their loved one – and not just on Tuesday evenings.
The new season of “Sing meine Song” starts on April 25, 2023 at 8:15 p.m. on Vox.
