The lyrics were written by the band's vocalist Barbara Gogan about Steve "Roadent" Connelly, a one-time roadie for The Clash and Sex Pistols, who had minor roles in several German films[5] and played the Joker in the 1978 miniseries Das Ding [de].[6]
The song features Clive Timperley's Echoplex guitar.
It was also recorded by the American singer-songwriter Chris Whitley for his 2006 album, Reiter In.
"I'm in Love with a German Film Star" was also covered by the British artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood, who released it as a single on 20 October 2008 on the German Kompakt label.[8] It was produced by Pet Shop Boys, who also contributed a full length "Symphonic Mix". Other remixes were provided by Gui Boratto, Mark Reeder and Jürgen Paape. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart in November 2008.[9]
