Rasputin (song)

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This article is about the song by Boney M. For the Jack Lucien song, see Rasputin (Jack Lucien song).
"Rasputin"
Boney M. - Rasputin (1978 single).jpg
Single by Boney M.
from the album Nightflight to Venus
B-side "Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night" (Europe, Australia, Mexico, Japan, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand)
"Heart of Gold" (Brazil)
"Nightflight to Venus" (Poland, Chile)
"Painter Man" (Europe, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Madagascar, Bolivia, India)
"He Was a Steppenwolf" (Rhodesia, U.S., South Africa)
Released 28 August 1978
Recorded May 1978
Genre
Length 4:43 (single version) 5:51 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Farian
Script error: The function "ucfirst" does not exist. singles chronology
"Rivers of Babylon" / "Brown Girl in the Ring"
(1978)		 "Rasputin"
(1978)		 "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord"
(1978)
Music video
"Rasputin" (Sopot Festival 1979) on YouTube

"Rasputin" is a song by Germany based pop and Eurodisco group Boney M. It was released on 28 August 1978 as the second single from their third studio album Nightflight to Venus (1978). Written by the group's creator Frank Farian, along with George Reyam and Fred Jay, it is a song about Grigori Rasputin, a friend and advisor of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family during the early 20th century. The song describes Rasputin as a playboy, mystical healer, and political manipulator.

Composition

File:Rasputin PA.jpg
Grigori Rasputin, the subject of the song

The core of the song tells of Rasputin's rise to prominence in the court of Nicholas II, referencing the hope held by Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna that Grigori Rasputin would heal her hemophiliac son, Tsarevich Alexei of Russia, and as such his appointment as Alexei's personal healer. Rasputin gained tremendous influence from this position, particularly with Alexandra. This is also retold in the song: "For the queen he was no wheeler dealer". It also claims that Rasputin was Alexandra's paramour: "Ra Ra Rasputin, lover of the Russian queen, there was a cat that really was gone". This was a widespread rumour in Rasputin's time, with which his political enemies intended to discredit him. It stemmed from Rasputin's closeness to the Tsarina. "Rasputin" starts to retell contemporary accounts of his powerful personality: "He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow..." "He could preach the bible like a preacher, full of ecstasy and fire..." The song depicts Rasputin as being extremely popular with the Russian elite, something that is historically supported: "to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear". The song also depicts Rasputin as being sexually promiscuous, another contemporary rumour: "But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze." "...though she'd heard the things he'd done..." "Russia's greatest love machine". The song claims that Rasputin's political power overshadowed that of the Tsar himself in "all affairs of state", which was one of the main arguments of his contemporary rivals. The bridge of the song states that when his purported sexual escapades and political acts became intolerable, "men of higher standing" plotted his downfall, although "the ladies begged" them not to. Although the song states "he was a brute", it claims that the ladies "just fell into his arms."

Rasputin among admirers, 1914

The end of the song recounts a modified version of a popular description of the events that culminated in Rasputin's assassination, as perpetrated by Felix Yusupov, Vladimir Purishkevich, and Dmitri Pavlovich, on 16 December 1916 (O.S.). The song accurately states that the conspirators asked him "Come to visit us", and then recounts a widely popular account of the assassination in Yusupov's estate: that Rasputin's assassins fatally shot him after he survived the poisoning of his wine.

Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore has described the song as "an excellent introduction to Russian court politics in the early 20th century."[1] While the song accurately re-tells many of the unfavorable contemporary rumours that damaged Rasputin's reputation and led to his assassination, there is no verifiable evidence to suggest that he had an affair with Alexandra.

Frank Farian's American friend Bill Swisher, who was a soldier in Germany at the time, provides spoken vocals at the bridge in the form of a newsreader. Swisher also guested on Boney M. singles such as "Ma Baker" and "El Lute".

Melody

AllMusic's journalist Donald A. Guarisco described it as "a tribute to the legendary Russian historical figure that uses balalaikas to create its textured rhythm guitar hook."[2] Its melody caused a debate in the 1970s due to its similarity to the traditional Turkish song "Kâtibim", but the band denied there was any borrowing.[3][4] Surfacing recordings of the song gideriken aldida bir yagmur in 1940 by Safiye Ayla-Uskudara,a Turkish singer shows differently, where the melody is copied and tempo adjusted.

Reception and legacy

The song rose to the top of the charts in Germany and Austria and went to No. 2 in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. It was also another No. 1 hit for Boney M. in Australia, giving them their second (and last) chart-topper in that country (the other one being "Rivers of Babylon").

AllMusic's Donald A. Guarisco called the track "the oddest and most unusual and interesting combination of musical elements" from Nightflight to Venus, then picked it as one of his "track picks" from the album.[2]

Although the song was written and performed in English, with single German and Russian words – "But the kasatschok he danced really wunderbar!" – it enjoyed great popularity in the Soviet Union, and is credited with reviving the fame of Rasputin there.[5] The song was omitted, however, from the Soviet pressing of the album and Boney M. were barred from performing the song during their ten performances in Moscow in December 1978.[citation needed] During their visit to Poland in 1979, the band performed the song despite being asked not to by government officials. The show in Sopot was broadcast on national TV the next day after the song was edited out of their performance, but it was broadcast on the radio live and in full.[6][7]

The song has been covered by several other bands in varying musical styles. Finnish band Turisas recorded a folk metal version, while American band Boiled in Lead covered it as a folk punk song. The British comic book Nikolai Dante cited a lyric from the song for the title of its story called "Russia's Greatest Love Machine" in the 1997 issue of 2000 AD. The Washington, D.C.-based dance/rock band Ra Ra Rasputin takes its name from the song.[8] A Spanish version by Fangoria was included on their compilation album Dilemas, amores y dramas (2003).[9]

The song was featured extensively in a trailer for 2021's The King's Man entitled "Official Rasputin Dance Video."[10] The video focused heavily on the character Rasputin, who is portrayed in the movie by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans.[11] The song does not appear in the final movie.[12]

The song was briefly referenced in the Doctor Who episode, entitled "The Power of the Doctor", where the Master manages to adopt the identity of Rasputin and takes control of the Russian Imperial Court, and after ordering the Russian Imperial Family out of the Winter Palace, he brings in several Daleks and Cybermen, before trapping the Doctor in a device disguised as a chandelier, which then begins to play the song, which he then dances to.

The song was featured in the 5th episode of the 6th season of Black Mirror, entitled "Demon 79".[13]

Versions

The album pressings of Nightflight to Venus feature the title track segued into "Rasputin". Initial LP pressings included the full-length, 6:26 version of "Rasputin",[14] most notable for an instrumental interlude in the third verse between the lines "though he was a brute, they just fell into his arms" and "Then one night some men of higher standing ..." that was later cut out. The second LP pressing featured a 6:03 version, subsequent pressings a 5:51 version. Boney M.'s single edit is completely different from the edit used for Frank Farian's Gilla recording in German that followed in November 1978 (without success).

Release

The German and Benelux pressings were backed with "Painter Man"; for most other territories the B-side chosen was "Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night". The UK pressings had a 5:32 version; most countries faded it to 5:02, while the French Carrere Records release had a 4:45 version. In the United Kingdom, "Painter Man" was issued as an A-side single in February 1979, giving the group a No. 10 hit. In Canada, "Rasputin" was the A-side and became a major hit, topping the Canadian RPM magazine's Adult Contemporary singles chart for two weeks beginning 24 March 1979, and peaking at No. 7 on RPM's Top 100 pop singles chart that same week.[15][16] Despite the Canadian success, the song failed to chart in the United States.

In late January 2021, over 40 years since it was released as a single, the song went viral on TikTok, also appearing on Spotify's "Viral Hits" playlist.[17][18] The accompanying dance originated from the 2010 video game, Just Dance 2.[19]

Charts

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[53] Platinum 70,000
Canada (Music Canada)[54] Platinum 10,000
France 500,000[55]
Germany
Maxi single		 40,000[56]
Italy (FIMI)[57] Gold 25,000
Netherlands (NVPI)[58] Gold 100,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Gold 500,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Covers

Turisas version

"Rasputin"
File:Rasputin (Turisas).jpg
Single by Turisas
from the album The Varangian Way
Released 21 September 2007
Recorded 2007 at Sound Supreme Studio, Hämeenlinna
Genre Folk metal
Length 3:54
Label Century
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mathias "Warlord" Nygård, Janne Saska
Turisas singles chronology
"To Holmgard and Beyond"
(2007)		 "Rasputin"
(2007)		 "Supernaut"
(2010)
Music video
TURISAS – Rasputin (OFFICIAL VIDEO) on YouTube

Finnish folk metal band Turisas recorded a cover of Rasputin, released on 21 September 2007 through Century Media.[60] The band played the cover live for a few years and finally decided to record a studio version of it because of positive feedback from fans.[61] A music video was shot as well.

Track listing

  1. "Rasputin" – 3:56
  2. "Battle Metal" – 4:23

A limited edition 7" picture vinyl features "The Court of Jarisleif" as the B-side.

Different regions contained different B-sides. Canadian, South American, Asian and some European releases featured "Never Change Lovers in the Middle of the Night," the US release featured "He Was a Steppenwolf." The Polish and Chilean releases featured "Night Flight to Venus" and remaining European releases featured "Painter Man" as the B-side.

iTunes edition:
  1. "Rasputin" – 3:53
  2. "Rasputin" (Heavy Demo Version) – 3:53
  3. "Rasputin" (Instrumental) – 3:51

Personnel

Majestic version

"Rasputin"
File:Rasputin-by-Magestic-x-BoneyM.jpg
Single by Majestic x Boney M.
from the album The Magic of Boney M. (Special Remix Edition)
Released 26 February 2021
Recorded 2021
Genre
Length 3:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Majestic
Majestic singles chronology
"Me & U"
(2020)		 "Rasputin"
(2021)		 "Losing My Mind"
(2021)
Music video
"Rasputin" on YouTube

On 26 February 2021, and after the resurgence of the song on TikTok, the North London DJ and producer Majestic released a revamped remix of the song credited to Majestic x Boney M. It has charted on the UK Singles Chart, US Billboard Hot Dance and Electronic Songs chart and across Europe. This version only contains lyrics from the first verse and first chorus of the original track.

Charts

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[101] Platinum 70,000
Belgium (BEA)[102] Gold 15,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[103] Gold 0
Germany (BVMI)[104] Gold 150,000
Hungary (MAHASZ)[105] 3× Platinum 9,000
Italy (FIMI)[106] Platinum 30,000
Poland (ZPAV)[107] Gold 10,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[108] Platinum 40,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[109] Platinum 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[110] Platinum 600,000

xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Other versions

Inspirations and use in other media

"Rasputin" has inspired multiple songs and has been featured in films, video games and television programmes.

  • Jatin–Lalit sampled "Rasputin" for the song "Sachi Ye Kahani Hai" from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994).[114]
  • “Rasputin” is featured in the 2010 rhythm game Just Dance 2. The choreography the song is set to trended on TikTok in 2021 and is responsible for the song’s resurgence.
  • In the 2003 Malayalam film Balettan, the song "Baletta Baletta" was inspired by "Rasputin". The song was composed by M. Jayachandran.[115]
  • The Thai version of the song is ยิ่งเมายิ่งมัน (Ying Mao Ying Mun) was sung by Suchart Thianthong in 2005 [116]
  • The 2012 Indian film Agent Vinod feature a Hindi-language song titled "I'll Do the Talking Tonight" which features a similar tune to that of "Rasputin".[117]
  • The Turkish TV series Seksenler (English: "The Eighties") used the song in its first episode.[118]
  • The song was featured in the promotion for the 2021 film The King's Man.[119]
  • The song is heard in the 2022 Doctor Who special "The Power of the Doctor", in which the Master (Sacha Dhawan), posing as Rasputin, dances to it.[120]

References

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External links

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  1. ↑ Simon Sebag Montefiore, "What are the greatest songs about history?", The Hub, 10 April 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Free to read
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Boney M. – Rasputin / Painter Man" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  24. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0134a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ "Musicline.de – Boney M. Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  27. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Boney M". Irish Singles Chart.
  28. ↑ 29 October 1978
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  31. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Boney M. – Rasputin / Painter Man" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Boney M. – Rasputin". Top 40 Singles.
  33. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Boney M. – Rasputin". VG-lista.
  34. ↑ Portuguese Charts Archive. 20 January 1979.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Boney M. – Rasputin". Swiss Singles Chart.
  37. ↑ "Boney M: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
  38. ↑ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
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  42. ↑ Illegal name entered Boney M 2/Boney+M+2/chart?f=1234 "Boney M 2 – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for Boney M 2.
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  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Boney M. in the field Filtra. Select 2023 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
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  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Rasputin in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
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  63. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  64. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  65. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  66. ↑ Illegal name entered Majestic/Majestic/chart?f=793 "Majestic – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Majestic.
  67. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202127 into search.
  68. ↑ "Majestic, Boney M.: Rasputin" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  69. ↑ "Musicline.de – Majestic x Boney M. Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  70. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  71. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  72. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  75. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  76. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
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  78. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100.
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  80. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202128 into search. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
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  83. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin". Swiss Singles Chart.
  84. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20210604" UK Singles Chart.
  85. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20210611" UK Dance Chart.
  86. ↑ Illegal name entered Boney M 2/Boney+M+2/chart?f=1234 "Boney M 2 – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for Boney M 2.
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  103. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Click on næste to go to page 12566 if certification from official website
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  106. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Majestic & Boney M. in the field Filtra. Select 2021 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  107. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  108. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select the "Chart", enter 2024 in the field "Year". Select '' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
  109. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  110. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Rasputin in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  111. ↑ Sleepy Sleepers - The Mopott Show at Discogs
  112. ↑ "Mona Carita - Rasputin" at Discogs
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