NunSexMonkRock
NunSexMonkRock is the debut solo studio album by German singer Nina Hagen, released on April 30, 1982. It was Hagen’s first English-language album after leaving the Nina Hagen Band and marked a new direction in her career. The album was recorded in 1981–82 at Blue Rock in New York City and produced by Mike Thorne.
Background and title meaning: Hagen’s European tour was canceled in 1980, and after meeting Dutch guitarist Ferdinand "Ferdi" Karmelk, she began writing English-language songs during her pregnancy. Karmelk is credited as the lead writer on the album’s single "Smack Jack" and as a co-writer on "Dread Love," though he does not appear on the released tracks. The album’s title comes from the line "Let's do the nun sex monk rock" in the song "Dread Love." The cover features Hagen holding her daughter Cosma Shiva, a portrayal some press called blasphemous. Hagen later explained her faith journey, noting her 2009 baptism and that the album’s lyrics reflect her lifelong interest in love and spirituality.
Musical style and themes: NunSexMonkRock is an experimental rock album with post-punk and new wave influences. Its lyrics touch on motherhood, religion, drug use, and UFOs. The music shifts between theatrical vocals and experimental production, creating a distinctive, if polarizing, sound.
Notable songs and moments: The album opens with "Antiworld," which includes an interpolation of Jimi Hendrix and is loosely drawn from a poem by Andrei Voznesensky. "Smack Jack," the lead single written by Karmelk, deals with drug addiction. "Taitschi-Tarot" explores Buddhist ideas, reincarnation, and yoga. A controversial performance of "Future Is Now" on Austrian TV in 1979 has been noted in discussions of Hagen’s career. "Iki Maska" blends references to the B-52’s and classic Italian songs, with a nod to Ziggy Stardust at the end. "Cosma Shiva" is named after Hagen’s daughter and features her on the track, while the closing "UFO" recounts Hagen’s sighting of a UFO on a Malibu beach during pregnancy.
Release history and reception: NunSexMonkRock was released on vinyl and cassette, with a 1991 CD/cassette compilation that paired it with the Nina Hagen Band’s material. In 2012, it was reissued in the Original Album Classics series alongside the Nina Hagen Band and Fearless. Critics were split: some praised Hagen’s dramatic vocal performance, while others found the production too avant-garde. Rolling Stone called it nearly unlistenable, while AllMusic gave it high marks for its eccentric style. Pitchfork later gave it a modestly positive retrospective review, highlighting Hagen’s delivery.
Commercial performance: The album reached number 184 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and peaked at number 27 in Germany, with some top-40 placements in New Zealand and Norway. The only single, "Smack Jack," found particular success in Norway, where it reached number 7.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:04 (CET).