G2 CDs- How many languages? (& other questions)

[MintyMyndi]

So... this is, once again, quite random.
Long story short there were (at least) two G2 CDs, each one with a song and two stories. I'm not quite sure about the distribution method for these, but it may vary with each language. I've seen sites say that they were randomly thrown into toy packaging and I SWEAR I saw somewhere claim that they were part of a McDonald's promotion... I have no firsthand proof of either, though, but packaged extras seem likely.
EDIT: Here's a mail offer showing a Dutch CD; according to the site, it was offered in Belgium.

Spoiler

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 http://ponylandmarket.tripod.com/guide/stuff/offers/index.html

I'm particularly interested in the songs at the moment.

They both came in German and Dutch, and at least the first one came in French. I don't know if they ever came in English or any other language. I only found video for both Dutch songs (in two versions each, for some reason) and one poor quality (microphone held up to too-loud speaker) French song, but the French song is a dub of the Dutch song, so it can be assumed that they're all the same songs.

I know only a few French words and in Dutch I can kind of get the gist (skating by on cognates between it and English or German, which I'm more than a little rusty at), but I couldn't tell you if the songs are similar lyric-wise (lyrics are hard to translate, but you can tell whether they're doing their own thing). The uploader of what I'll be calling "Version 1" of the Dutch version was kind enough to provide an English translation for song 1. If someone understands French (and wants to listen to the worst thing ever), would you please tell me if they're roughly similar?

Does anyone have anything I'm missing from this list? Does anyone know why there are two versions of the Dutch songs? Is there a second French CD or any other languages? Thank you to anyone who can contribute!

Dutch Songs- Version 1 and 2 seem to use the same instrumentals, but different vocals.
The covers are in the videos for version 2. Also, the stories have been uploaded to the same channel, if you're interested.
Dutch song 1: Ponyvriendjes (Pony Friends)
Version 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFdKkMs-Rcc
Version 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgEqLYzA18k
Dutch song 2: Ponyland (It's too hard for me to translate, guys! Help! )
Version 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjQdjQEbf8w
Version 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy8XMwRtD7o

French Songs
Covers and disc 1 in spoiler; front cover of disc 2 in video

Spoiler

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French song 1: Mon Meilleur Ami (My Best Friend) Headphone users beware!- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGQxjYWhBns
French Song 2- Mon Petit Poney(?)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72-oF5DNww
Song 2 is a higher pitch than its Dutch counterpart, but it could have been altered to match the singer's natural range. The lyrics don't seem to be translated.

German Songs
I just have the names for these. Front covers can be seen here: https://web.archive.org/web/20160830071723/http://gen2.aien-hime.com/cdgerman.htm
German song 1- Mein Bester Freund (My Best Friend)
German song 2- Mein Kleines Pony (My Little Pony)

Again, thanks to anyone who knows more than I could find out!

EDIT: found French song 2 and info on a distribution method! I've incorporated it into the post above.

[Vintageg2]

Dutch native here with a bit of understanding of French. The lyrics are different. Not entirely, but different for sure. I could hear the difference best in the second song. In Dutch the chorus  is like let's go to ponyland together hand in hand where in French it is like my little pony, my pretty pony.   
But hopefully some others know a bit more! 

[Nightbow]

As a swede, I never knew these existed. That probably means that there aren't any Scandinavian covers. What a shame; I would love to know the synopsis of the story and what ponies it featured.

[MintyMyndi]

So, here are the translated titles for the stories:

CD 1, Story 1
French and Dutch translate to "Sweet Berry is missing," but the German title is "Sky Skimmer is missing."
CD 1, Story 2
All three languages agree that there's a masquerade ball.
CD 2, Story 1
In Dutch, it's Sky Skimmer's birthday. In German, it's Petal Blossom's. Why the German version feels the need to change the characters is beyond me... Heck, maybe the French version is different as well and it's just a coincidence that the first one matched!
CD 2, Story 2
All three languages agree on a magic waterfall.

As for characters involved, I listened to a bit of "Framboosje is verdwenen," and heard Geheimpje (Secret Tale), Ijdeltuitje (Sundance) and Manestraal (Moon Shadow). I have a near complete list of ponies' names that may be involved in these stories; the copyright date says 1998, but I included 1999 ponies just to be safe. I have all of the French, German, and Dutch names I could find. I could post them, if you'd like to listen for yourself.

EDIT: Here's a box with one of these inside! It's German, so perhaps that's how all German ones were released.
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[flapflap]

Oh god those songs are horrific!

It sounds like one song was meant for the Netherlands and the other for Belgium; the belgian version of the dutch language is slightly different with a different accent. Weird though that they used the same singer for both versions.

If you want I can translate the full lyrics for you? Just let me know.

Post Merge: November 26, 2020, 02:47:51 PM

BTW, there was a period when I found loads of G2 on fleamarkets and thrift stores, but I never saw that backpack or that CD. Only the DVD, lots of times, but I think at some point you got it for free with certain purchases.

[MintyMyndi]

If you want I can translate the full lyrics for you? Just let me know.

Yes, I'd actually love that!

[flapflap]

Okay, here we go. The lyrics of version 1 and version 2 are the same.

Discliamer: it's terrible, and even worse when translated!


Song 1
Dutch:

Ponyvriendjes huppelen, ze maken je blij
Dansen, spelen, dartelen zo vrolijk en vrij
Zij beleven elke dag
Avonturen met een lach
En vertellen die aan mij

Met een ponyvriendje ben je nooit echt alleen
Wil je mee naar Ponyland dan gaan we daarheen
Heb je eens een keer verdriet
Dan zegt pony: Huil maar niet
Zing maar met mijn liedje mee

(refrein)
Ponypaardjes met hun lieve ponysnoet
Maken je weer vrolijk als je huilen moet
Regenbogen drogen
Heel snel weer je ogen
Lach maar weer het is alweer goed
(2x)

Ponyvriendjes hebben zacht en kleurig lang haar
Kam het, was het, borstel het of vlecht het dus maar
Zij zijn zelf nog maar zo klein
Willen het liefst dichtbij jou zijn
Ponysprookjes worden waar

Ponyvriendjes bij je bedje iedere nacht
Zij zijn trouw en vriendelijk hun manen zo zacht
Slaap maar lekker droom maar fijn
Van je pony’s groot en klein
Want die houden trouw de wacht
(refrein x 2)


English:

Ponyfriends are skipping, they make you happy
Dancing, playing, frolicking, zo cheerful and free
Everyday they have adventures
With a smile
And tell them to me

With a ponyfriend you’re never really alone
If you want to go to Ponyland then we’ll go there
If sometimes you feel sad
Pony says: don’t you cry
Just sing along with my song

(chorus)
Ponyhorses with their sweet ponyface (? Actually she sings “ponysnout”)
Make you happy again when you have to cry
Rainbows dry
Your eyes again quickly
Just smile, it’s alright again
(2x)

Ponyfriends have soft and colourful long hair
So just comb it, wash it, brush it or braid it
They are still very small
And want to be close to you
Pony-fairytales become true

Ponyfriends by your bedside every night
They are loyal and friendly, their manes so soft
Sleep well and have sweet dreams
Of your ponies big and small
Because they will loyally stand guard
 
(chorus x 2)



Song 1
Dutch:

Ponyland is het huis van alle pony’s
Wij spelen alle dagen met elkaar
Ga je met me mee om daar te kijken
Want al je lieve vriendjes wonen daar

(refrein)
Ga maar met me mee
Wij gaan met z’n twee
Samen hand in hand
Naar mijn Ponyland

Ga maar met me mee
Wij gaan met z’n twee
Samen hand in hand
Naar mijn gekleurde Ponyland
---
Regenbogen kleuren onze wereld
De zon schijnt altijd en de lucht is blauw
Wil je samen met ons komen spelen
Dan houden wij voortaan heel veel van jou

(refrein 2x)


English:

Ponyland is the home of all the ponies
We play together every day
Will you come along to take a look
Because all your sweet friends live there

(chorus)
Just come along with me
The two of us will go
Together hand in hand
To my Ponyland

Just come along with me
The two of us will go
Together hand in hand
To my coloured Ponyland (she actually says coloured, not colourful which would make more sense)
---
Rainbows colour our world
The sun shines and the sky is blue
Would you like to come play with us
Then from now on we will love you very much

(chorus 2x)

[Carrehz]

aw, I like Ponyvriendjes! I think it's cute. :p Thanks for the translation though, greatly appreciated!

[MintyMyndi]

Thanks for that! I find the songs to be quite sweet, but do see how they could come off as creepy.