what is this German rap about a rhubarb bar that is enjoying global success on social networks?

A global hit, which talks about rhubarb bars and barbarians, briefly overtook American superstar Beyoncé in number of views on YouTube. Its inventor himself still finds it difficult to believe in its success, and is now considering the next Eurovision.

Barbaras Rhabarberbar is a worldwide hit, although many have only heard of it, as it only spread on social media, including YouTube and TikTok. This hit with an unpronounceable name tells the story of a young woman, Barbara, who cooks the best rhubarb cake, and who opens a bar whose customers are barbarians, drinking beer while having their beards shaved. A German rap whose lyrics are based on a tongue twister, or parseltongue as they also say. A group of words that is very difficult to pronounce, like the famous “are the archduchess’s socks dry”.

The musician behind this song clearly doesn’t have the notoriety of Beyoncé. His name is Bodo Wartke, and he has been performing in cabarets for 27 years with his fanciful songs. He admits “I like rhubarb moderately, except in crumble or jam”, but has long delighted in the sound of the word. He therefore decided, with a content creator friend, to adapt this rhubarb bar story into music.

This is not the first time that Bodo Wartke has performed tongue twisters in song, but he would never have imagined recording more than 47 million views on TikTok and being translated into multiple languages, including French. “Until now, I believed that you had to speak German to understand the meaning of the lyrics and appreciatehe said, but visibly, the joy we experience in hearing the sound of words assembled in alliteration combined with hip-hop, all of this is transmitted beyond meaning.. In Bodo’s approach, there is also a hidden aspiration: to chase away preconceived ideas about Germans who have no sense of humor, and whose language is aggressive. Bodo Wartke is now considering a Eurovision bid, convinced that there is room for improvement for Germany, which regularly finishes in last place!