"Moskau" - meaning, history, popularity and fate of the hit song
Содержание
"Moskau." - smash hit 70-хThe song became a big hit both in the band's career and in the history of the band. Along with the song of the same name, the song has become a big hit both in the band's career and history of the disco era. However, despite the fact that the track sings of the Russian capitalMany domestic listeners disliked it. Some saw in the lyrics of the song a hidden, very creepy message, which stirs the minds of music lovers to this day... We offer to understand this mysterious story together.
A bit of history
Composition "Moskau." saw the light of day in the late 70s - it was a successful addition to the band's album of the same name "Genghis Khan."and soon after its release became a smash hit in various countries around the world! The catchy lyrics and melody were written by the poet Bernd Meinunger and composer Ralph Siegel. It is worth adding that in addition to "Moscow" the group's song repertoire includes one more famous hit - "Dschinghis Khan". But for some reason many people, and especially post-Soviet listeners, closely associate the disco band exclusively with "Moskau".
https://youtu.be/i0xOSxgs6w8
Today this song is well known to everyone. The song (at least the chorus) is well known even by today's generation of listeners: "Moskau" has become popular among young people thanks to the TikTokwhere there's a whole trend with this tune! The most interesting thing is that it was started by Japanese women.
Versions
With the onset 80-х the track completed the album "Rom.". Curiously, the single was shortened by a minute and a half - the album version lasts all of six minutes! Later, an English version was released, entitled "Moscow.": it's worth adding that the band itself also had a second, English name - Genghis Khan.
https://youtu.be/kgkHO5yms3o
The English-language version was used by Australia's Channel 7 television channel as a common theme for reports from the 1980 Olympic Games of the year, which took place in Moscow.
Myths and legends
Like many high-profile hits, "Moskau" is shrouded in the myths and legends. To begin with, the text seems quite positive and light at first glance: a kind of a set of amusing clichés about Russians!
"Moscow, Moscow,
Your broad soul,
Walks around at night without restraint..."
But some, especially attentive music lovers, saw, or rather heard in him anti-SovietFor example, the line "We'll dance on the ruins of the Kremlin!" appeared from somewhere, and so on. Perhaps, it is all about the similarity of some words in terms of their sound and pronunciation. There is no official confirmation that there were such references in the lyrics of the song. But still, the word of mouth did its job, which is why to this day some people consider "Moskau." as an "anti-Soviet anthem."
Lastly: the best covers
Finally, here are some of the most interesting and successful ones "Moskau" covers! Each interpretation is amazing and beautiful in its own way, but it's certainly hard to compare with the original....
This disco hit was willingly remodelled in their own way by Russian pop stars! For example, the Russian-language version called "Hello, Moscow!" was recorded on the eve of the 1980 Olympics! The song's vocals were provided by the enchanting Sofia Rotaru. The original copy was soon deleted, but the prudent studio staff managed to make a monophonic recording. Thanks to this, we can enjoy this curious cover today....
In a rather parodic form, "Moskau" was also performed as part of the film "Old Songs About The Main 3". Performed it "Academy Cabaret Duo.".
https://youtu.be/WJT5F0Hj4bE
Not lagging behind the "trend" and OSB Studio. Their version is also very comical, reflecting the ironic attitude of foreigners to Moscow and Russia in general.
It is worth adding that the OSP team is famous for its glorious musical parodies to this day, despite the fact that the programme itself has been around for a long time now nonexistent.
