In the "citchy but nice" section there's also Nena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9whehyybLqU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILw0lGmgsg8 One of my favourite bands is Tocotronic. Their style is often called "Diskursrock", discourse rock. Two out of their many amazing songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ieyfArFRWE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1szcpyzsAE Then there's Element of Crime, similar in some ways: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfRNxX5NxuY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg0vMo0ttH8 Quite well known: Die Ärzte http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGdasHDbLw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fnOCIrFg4o Then I like Funny Van Dannen a lot, but most of his lyrics can't be taken literally, usually they're satirical on about two levels… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVMmMdUA8l4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnH1Cfin9TY Hm, but I guess here we're getting more and more into music you're not looking for (; Ah, just remembered Dota (& die Stadtpiraten), similar to Wir sind Helden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yJcUEuedM8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Myq1gR3NKk Not sure if Sophie Hunger has any other German songs, but this one is great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OIyGgdAHkY Then there's Fatima Spar (& The Freedom Fries) who is a lot of fun but really hard to understand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVHb4auQOOw Irie Revoltés: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywPI6Hq38ow And a few other songs, also some that I'd rather see as culturally interesting curiosities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBLZOlUfWQk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_fRXaq8VA4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KWss5hoku0 (I love Bettina Wegner though.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5m41YVpBJ8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQg3KM8O8T0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I-I6yMx23g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlM337TmV2E (nice one, but in some Viennese variety) Oh, and of course the Wise Guys. Sound great, perfect. Usually I can't stand their lyrics though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQbqzMc11Og https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV4JQQkOFDg Be sure to watch their live performances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n_n5kI4f5E

You NEED to check out "Xavier Naidoo" - he is Germany's most famous soul singer and his voice is really amazing! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Q0pw7B8aI You might also like "Wir sind Helden", a pop band with really witty lyrics; I recommend their songs "Nur ein Wort" and "Denkmal" Other bands many people like (I don't because they are too...citchy for me ;)) are "Silbermond", "Juli", "Herbert Grönemeyer", "Unheilig"....

Annett Louisan, Silbermond, Herbert Grönemeyer, Xavier Naidoo, Pur, Frida Gold are some ideas. I love the music from Annett Louisan and Silbermond.