Nina Hagen, the most beautiful and most strident hell-raiser to toe the line between punk and pop, East and West and outta space that Germany has ever produced is finally back. With her first single release “16 Tons,” Nina Hagen has taken on a heavy burden. “You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt” Written and recorded for the first time in 1947 by country singer Merle Travis, “16 Tons” became especially popular in the 1950s thanks to Tennessee Ernie Ford’s rendition. In the ensuing years the song has been sung by many a hero in pop history, from Elvis Presley to B. B. King, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Harry Nilsson and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine). If anyone dare tackle a song with such a weighty standing in pop history and one that is so socio-politically charged, then it should be Germany’s most important punk and new wave icon. As it is, a closer look at the list of performers reveals that a couple of powerful female voices are missing. This song has been waiting for Nina Hagen, an artist who has always celebrated the political power of music. “16 Tons” is the first single off Nina Hagen’s new Album UNITY, which will be released on Grönland Records. Featuring Dennis Kucinich https://www.facebook.com/denniskucinich “16 Tons” is the first single off Nina Hagen’s new Album UNITY, which will be released on Grönland Records.