Language is music as some people say or maybe music is language? How about these quotes:
To me, music is entertainment – what else can it be? In fact, it’s the only language I know of that’s universal. Ray Charles
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries. Jimmy Carter
So for now, forget your dictionaries, phrasebooks and classrooms with chalk on your fingers. Let’s try to look at the Polish language from the side of the music.
Why learn Polish through songs?
Music for many people is a part of their daily life. If you want to learn languages better it should be a part of your life too. Music helps to recreate the kind of total-immersion environment necessary to become better and more fluent in any language. For me, listening to French music (Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, La Boheme) helped to feel like I’m already in France, walking down the colourful streets of Paris and drinking one of the best wines on earth.
How it can help you?
Step1: Take one song, first listen to it a few times, possibly without looking at the lyrics just to get the general feeling.
Step 2: Try with the lyrics to try to follow the singers. You can later look up the words in a dictionary but learning all the words and phrases is not the goal here.
Step 3: You learn already in the process of listening and enjoying the music. Great, isn’t it?
I picked these songs especially for you!
Have a look at our selection of interesting Polish songs from all genres , from all time classics to pop, rock, disco, disco polo and more. All of them will help you boost your listening comprehension.
What great things I also have for you?
We have a short bio of the band/vocalist, youtube video with the song and lyrics in Polish and English version for your better understanding!
Here is the list of 13 Awesome Songs to Help You Learn Polish Through Music
1. Czesław Niemen – Dziwny jest ten świat (eng. Strange is this world)
Czesław Niemen – one of the most important and original Polish singer-songwriters and rock balladeers active in the years 1967–2001. Extremely talented musician with an major importance and influence in Polish music, also known for his wide vocal range. His song of 1967, “Dziwny jest ten świat” (Strange Is This World) is commonly acknowledged to be the most important Polish protest song of that era (in 1972 an English version was also recorded). The song was influenced by the American blues tradition.
Polish subtitles -> click here
Video with English subtitles -> click here
2. Marek Grechuta – Dni których nie znamy (eng. Days, which we don’t know yet)
Marek Grechuta singer, songwriter, composer, and lyricist who made a large number of popular hits, with his songs often characterized by use of poetic and literary elements. His song Dni, których nie znamy (The Days We Don’t Know Yet) is the anthem of the football club Korona Kielce.
Polish and English subtitles -> click here
3. Dzem – Wehikuł czasu (eng. Time Machine)
Dżem – a great blues rock band active since 1973. Its first vocalist, the late Ryszard Riedel was one of the most famous Polish vocalists. The band’s name comes from English word jam (session) which has the same pronunciation as the Polish word “dżem”, which means “jam” in the sense of a fruit preserve. The band’s original name was “Jam” but before one of their concerts a woman made a mistake when she wrote their name, writing “Dżem”.
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
4. Budka Suflera – Takie Tango (eng. A Tango Such As This)
Budka Suflera was a Rock Band with long years on the stage and many hit songs. In addition to their 1997 hit song “Takie tango”, they are perhaps best known for their rock ballads, such as “Jolka Jolka” and “Za ostatni grosz” that are often quoted as some of the best songs of Polish rock.
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
5. Skaldowie – Cała jesteś w skowronkach (eng. You’re full of the joy of spring)
Skaldowie a rock group from Cracow, was particularly popular from the 1960s to the 1980s. With their musical training and proximity to the folklore-rich area of Podhale, many of their tracks were a fusion of rock, folk, and classical music. Skaldowie caused a stir in 1972 with the extent to which motifs from the Goral music of Podhale featured on their groundbreaking album Krywań. Between 1966 and 1980 they received numerous national awards and were one of the most popular musical groups in Poland.
Polish and English subtitles -> click here
6. Wilki – Baśka
Wilki – another popular alternative rock/pop rock band from Warsaw. Wilki stands for wolves in English. They, along with their contemporaries Myslovitz, are one of Poland’s most popular rock bands. Baśka, Bohema, Eli lama sabachtani or Son of the Blue Sky are the most popular songs of this band.
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
7. Formacja Nieżywych Schabuff – Supermarket
A pop-rock-avangarde band from Polish city Częstochowa. The band initially performed very original music of avant-garde cabaret-pop. Since the debut the group began a nationwide career. Their hit Klub wesołego szampana (1988) for three weeks was in the first place of Polish Radio Program III charts. Their other hit is for example the song “Lato” (Summer).
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
8. Brathanki – Czerwone Korale (eng. Red beads)
Brathanki – a folk-rock group that combines Polish, Hungarian and Czech folk elements with rock music. In 2000, the band released their debut album Ano !, where you can find such hits as “Czerwone Korale” or “Gdzie ten który powie mi”. The album coincided with a period of the intense popularity of folk music in Poland. It finally received a platinum status four times.
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
9. Feel – Jak anioła głos (Like the voice of an angel)
Feel – a more recently hugely popular pop band with many catchy songs. Originally called ‘Q2’, the band later adopted ‘Kupicha Band’ as its name and then finally ‘Feel’. The group enjoys great popularity in Poland, with both singles released so far achieving tremendous success, to the surprise of many independent music critics.
Their biggest hit, well known throughout the country, is called A gdy jest już ciemno (And When the Dusk Comes). Other popular songs include No Pokaż Na Co Cię Stać (Show Me What You Can Do), Jak Anioła Głos (Like the voice of an angel).
Polish subtitles -> click here
English subtitles -> click here
10. Weekend – Ona tańczy dla mnie (eng. She dances for me)
Weekend – a hugely popular disco – disco polo band with melodies and lyrics that are catchy and simple. Their music is on the border of the disco polo and dance genres. The most famous track of the band was released in 2012 – “Ona tańczy dla mnie” (She dances for me). The track is one of the most popular songs in Polish Youtube with around 95 mln views already.
Polish and English subtitles -> click here
The songs below are without english subtitles, but you can still listen to them to have a taste of Polish music.
11. Elektryczne Gitary – Co Ty Tutaj Robisz (eng. What are you doing here)
Elektryczne Gitary – a rock band famous for its unique sense of humour and autoirony in their songs. The band lifer Kuba Sienkiewicz is graduated as a neurologist. Sienkiewicz says: “During the concert, I try to get as much caricature of what I do. In practice, a lot can happen, and it is more happenings than classic rock concerts.”
Polish subtitles -> click here
12. T. LOVE – Chłopaki nie płaczą (eng. Boys don’t cry)
T.Love – first known as Teenage Love Alternative, is a great alternative rock band formed in Częstochowa. Zygmunt “Muniek” Staszczyk is the band lider. The album, Boys Do not Cry, was launched in autumn 1997. The title track was a pastiche of boys-bands, which were very popular these days. Other popular songs such as “Stokrotka” or “Jest super” were the band’s voice on contemporary Polish political situation.
Polish subtitles -> click here
13. Sidney Polak – Otwieram Wino (eng. I’m opening wine)
Sidney Polak (true name is Jarosław Polak) – well known as a drummer in the band T.Love, here in his solo production. Sidney nickname comes from one of the T. Love concerts, where the lead singer of the band, Muniek Staszczyk, presenting the composition, joked that the drummer is Sydney Pollack, whose works Jaroslaw Polak does not really like. “Chomiczówka” or “Otwieram wino” are the most known singles of this artist.
Polish subtitles -> click here
Have you heard any Polish songs worth adding here? Please share with us!
