Rasputin (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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)
Released28 August 1978
RecordedMay 1978
Genre
Length4:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Farian
Boney M. 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 Euro disco 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[]

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 Tsaritsa 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.

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 has also guested on Boney M. singles such as "Ma Baker" and "El Lute".

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."[1] Its melody has been compared to that of the traditional Turkish song "Kâtibim", but the band denied any similarity.[2][3]

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.[1]

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.[4] 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.[5][6]

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.[7] A Spanish version by Fangoria was included on their compilation album Dilemas, amores y dramas (2003).[8]

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",[9] 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.[10][11] Despite the Canadian success, the song failed to chart in the United States.

In late January 2021, almost 43 years since it was released as a single, the song went viral on TikTok, also appearing on Spotify's "Viral Hits" playlist.[12][13] The accompanying dance originated from the 2010 video game, Just Dance 2.[14]

Charts[]

Sales and certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[39] Platinum 150,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[40] Gold 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Covers[]

Turisas version[]

"Rasputin"
Rasputin (Turisas).jpg
Single by Turisas
from the album The Varangian Way
Released21 September 2007
Recorded2007 at Sound Supreme Studio, Hämeenlinna
GenreFolk metal
Length3:54
LabelCentury
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.[42] 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.[43] 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"
Rasputin-by-Magestic-x-BoneyM.jpg
Single by Majestic x Boney M.
Released26 February 2021
Recorded2021
Genre
Length3:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Majestic
Majestic singles chronology
"Me & U"
(2020) 		"Rasputin"
(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[]

Weekly charts[]
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[44] 26
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[45] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[46] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[47] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[48] 72
CIS (Tophit)[49] 56
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[50] 30
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[51] 10
Germany (Official German Charts)[52] 38
Global 200 (Billboard)[53] 72
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[54] 8
Hungary (Single Top 40)[55] 6
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[56] 35
Ireland (IRMA)[57] 21
Italy (FIMI)[58] 51
Lithuania (AGATA)[59] 31
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[60] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[61] 7
Norway (VG-lista)[62] 17
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[63] 1
Portugal (AFP)[64] 91
Romania (Airplay 100)[65] 59
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[66] 42
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[67] 38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[68] 26
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[69] 27
UK Singles (OCC)[70] 11
UK Dance (OCC)[71] 4
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[72] 11
Year-end charts[]
Chart (2021) Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[73] 30

Sales and certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[74] Gold 35,000double-dagger
Italy (FIMI)[75] Platinum 70,000double-dagger
Poland (ZPAV)[76] Gold 25,000double-dagger
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[77] Gold 10,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Gold 400,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions[]

American ska punk band We Are the Union did a cover of the song.[79]

Inspirations[]

"Rasputin" inspired multiple songs and has been featured in films.

Jatin–Lalit sampled "Rasputin" for the song "Sachi Ye Kahani Hai" from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994).[80]

In the 2003 Malayalam film Balettan, the song "Baletta Baletta" was inspired by "Rasputin". The song was composed by M. Jayachandran.[81]

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".[82]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Guarisco, Donald A. "Boney M – Nightflight to Venus". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. ^ Plastino, Goffredo (2003). Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds. Psychology Press. p. 217. ISBN 9780415936569.
  3. ^ Plastino, Goffredo (2013). Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds. From "About this book": "First published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.". Routledge. p. 164. ISBN 9781136707766. “Rasputine” by Boney M was hotly debated in the 1970s due to its similarity to the “Katibim,” a traditional Istanbul tune, but this similarity was denied by the band.
  4. ^ Dave Carpenter, "Rasputin is fondly remembered; Russia's mad monk is Uncle Grigory in Pokrovskoye", The Montreal Gazette, 15 July 1995, p. J.4.
  5. ^ Little, Harriet Fitch (19 September 2016). "The Life of a Song: 'Rasputin'". www.ft.com. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Boney M. - Rasputin (Sopot Festival 1979) (VOD)" – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ^ "CD review: Ra Ra Rasputin's 'Ra Ra Rasputin'". The Washington Post. 10 December 2010.
  8. ^ Dilemas Amores y Dramas - Fangoria | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 25 October 2021
  9. ^ "Boney M. – Nightflight To Venus (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  11. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  12. ^ "BONEY M'S "RASPUTIN" POST GOES VIRAL ON TIKTOK". mn2s. 27 January 2021.
  13. ^ Haasch, Palmer (16 February 2021). "'Rasputin,' the hit 70s song about 'Russia's greatest love machine,' has found new viral life on TikTok". Insider. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  14. ^ Aswad, Jem (16 December 2020). "Inside TikTok's First Year-End Music Report". Variety. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Cash Box - International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 25 February 1978. p. 46.
  16. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Australian Chart Book. p. 41. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  17. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin / Painter Man" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0134a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Boney M". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin / Painter Man" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin". VG-lista. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  26. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  27. ^ "Boney M. – Rasputin". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  28. ^ "Boney M: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  29. ^ "Top Singles (Week 17, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 5" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Boney M 2 Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  32. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 430. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  33. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1978". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  34. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1978". Ultratop. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1978". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1978". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1978". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Boney M – Rasputin". Music Canada. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  40. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Boney M. – Rasputin" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 13 July 2019. Enter Rasputin in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  41. ^ "British single certifications – Boney M. – Rasputin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  42. ^ "TURISAS – premiere Rasputin video clip!". Turisas.com. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 8 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
  43. ^ "TURISAS – TO RELEASE 'RASPUTIN' AS A SINGLE". Turisas.com. 31 July 2007. Archived from the original on 8 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
  44. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  46. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  47. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Majestic Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  49. ^ Majestic & Boney M — Rasputin. Tophit. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202127 into search. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  51. ^ "Majestic, Boney M.: Rasputin" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  52. ^ "Majestic x Boney M. – Rasputin" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Majestic Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  54. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  55. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  56. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  57. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  58. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 26" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  59. ^ "2021 25-os SAVAITĖS (birželio 18-24 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  60. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  61. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  62. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-28". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  63. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  64. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  65. ^ Arvunescu, Victor (10 May 2021). "Piesa asta o să te prindă şi pe tine!" [Top Airplay 100 – This song will get you too!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  66. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202128 into search. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  67. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202127 into search. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  68. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 26" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  69. ^ "Majestic X Boney M. – Rasputin". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  70. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  71. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  72. ^ "Boney M 2 Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  73. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  74. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 19 July 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  75. ^ "Italian single certifications – Majestic & Boney M – Rasputin" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  76. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  77. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Majestic x Boney M.; 'Rasputin')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  78. ^ "British single certifications – Majestic & Boney M – Rasputin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  79. ^ "Rasputin - song by We Are The Union". Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via Spotify.
  80. ^ Verma, Anurag (23 November 2016). "28 Bollywood Songs That You Didn't Know Were Copied Or 'Inspired'". HuffPost. India. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  81. ^ "Perfect scores". The Hindu. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  82. ^ "Pritam buys Boney M's Rasputin's rights". The Times of India. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""