Grobschnitt are one of the most unique and beloved bands in all of German progressive rock. Formed in Hagen in 1970, they became legendary for their theatrical, gloriously humorous live shows — complete with fireworks, comedy and hours-long improvised jams — and for a rich catalogue that ranges from symphonic fairy tales to sprawling space rock. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Solar Music”, “Anywhere”, “Rockpommel’s Land” and “Ernie’s Reise” — their legendary space-rock epic, their most beloved ballad, the spine-tingling title epic, and the theatrical opening of their fairy-tale masterpiece. The full ranking is below.

Germany’s theatrical prog showmen

Few bands were ever quite like Grobschnitt. Formed in the industrial city of Hagen in 1970 and performing under a set of gloriously silly stage names — Eroc, Lupo, Wildschwein, Mist — they combined genuine symphonic-rock ambition with a theatrical, comedic live show unlike anything else in German music, packed with fireworks, characters and improvisation. On record, they moved from the experimental humour of their early work to the lush symphonic prog of Jumbo and the fairy-tale concept of their masterpiece Rockpommel’s Land, while their ever-evolving epic “Solar Music” became the centrepiece of their legendary concerts. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, ambition, spectacle and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Solar Music” (1974), their legendary, ever-evolving space-rock epic. With it: “Anywhere” (1977), the soaring, beloved ballad from their masterpiece; “Rockpommel’s Land” (1977), the twenty-minute title epic with a spine-tingling finale; “Ernie’s Reise” (1977), the theatrical opening chapter of their fairy-tale concept; “Symphony” (1972), the earliest Grobschnitt classic, from their debut; and “Wonderful Music” (1975), a lush, symphonic highlight.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Severity Town” (1977) is a dramatic, ten-minute centrepiece; “Nickelodeon” (1974) is a fiery, all-instrumental showcase; “Vater Schmidt’s Wandertag” (1975) is a playful, wide-ranging epic; “Merry-Go-Round” (1979) is an enchanting title track from their late-1970s turn; and “Travelling” (1972) is an early showcase for Lupo’s guitar.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Du schaffst das nicht” (1979) is a beautiful, largely instrumental trip; “Silent Movie” (1981) is a highlight of their early-1980s rock direction; “Mary Green” (1981) is a catchy, melodic cut; and “Wir wollen leben” (1982) was their final chart success, a minor footnote in the German new-wave era.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with their symphonic masterpiece Rockpommel’s Land, one of the finest concept albums in German prog, and the lush Jumbo, then the epic “Solar Music” on Ballermann and their self-titled debut. Their later, more song-based albums Merry-Go-Round and Illegal reward deeper exploration.

The players

Grobschnitt were the vision of a close-knit group of Hagen musicians performing under memorable stage names: drummer and creative mastermind Eroc (Joachim Ehrig), lead guitarist Lupo (Gerd-Otto Kühn), singer-guitarist Wildschwein (Stefan Danielak), keyboardist Mist (Volker Kahrs) and bassist Popo (Wolfgang Jäger). Eroc, the band’s producer and driving force, left in 1983, while Lupo and Wildschwein have kept the Grobschnitt name alive in recent years. The band has lost two of its own: Popo died in 2007, and Mist in 2008.

Why they still matter

Grobschnitt proved that progressive rock could be as funny and theatrical as it was ambitious. One of the jewels of the German scene alongside Eloy, Novalis, Jane and Nektar, they created a body of work — and a live legend — unlike anything else in prog. Decades on, Rockpommel’s Land and “Solar Music” remain touchstones of German progressive rock.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Grobschnitt albums, or place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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