1978 – EURODISCO – Gilla – Ra-Ra Rasputin (Kavalier der Königin) - Deutsche Originalaufnahme

“Rasputin“ is a Eurodisco song that gained worldwide fame due to the legendary Boney M single, released in August, 1978 by the band’s creator Frank Farian. The same song with the same arrangement was performed in German language by Gilla, aspiring Austrian-born singer, who got signed by Farian to the German music concern Hansa Records in 1974, a year earlier vs. Boney M. In an effort to give Gilla momentum, who had just a few minor hits as opposed to Boney M, Farian decided to have her record a German cover of “Rasputin“ English version that quickly turned into a worldwide megahit just over the course of two months. Classic Boney M’s version was released on August 28, 1978, and Gilla released her “Rasputin (Deutsche Originalaufnahme)” in November 1978. Being largely forgotten in Europe, Gilla has in recent years performed regularly in Russia where her records are enjoying considerable popularity – “Johnny”, cover of Toto Cutugno’s song was especially popular in the USSR in early 1980s. “Rasputin”, the second single from Boney M’s third studio album Nightflight to Venus (1978), was written by Frank Farian, along with George Reyam and Fred Jay. It’s basically a song about real historic figure of Grigori Rasputin – so called “saint old man”, advisor and spiritual teacher of last Russian tsar Nicholas II and his wife Tsarina Alexandra. The song describes Rasputin as a playboy, mystical healer, and political manipulator. 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 that “saint old man” 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: “Die Zarin ihn nicht davon weil sie auf den Wunderheiler schwörte für den Zaren-Sohn”. It also claims that Rasputin was Alexandra’s paramour: “ Ra-Ra-Rasputin, Kavalier der Königin“. The song depicts Rasputin as being extremely popular with the Russian elite, something that is historically supported: “doch Moskau schickte Frau’n sie waren fasziniert uns so manche Maid hat der Bösewicht verführt“. The song also depicts Rasputin as being sexually promiscuous: “Hatte Weiber nur im Sinn“ The end of the song recounts 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. The song accurately states that the conspirators asked him to visit their house, and then recounts an account of the assassination in Yusupov’s estate: that Rasputin’s assassins fatally shot him after he survived the poisoning of his wine. AllMusic’s journalist Donald A. Guarisco described “Rasputin” as “a tribute to the legendary Russian historical figure that uses balalaikas to create its textured rhythm guitar hook.“ Its melody caused a debate in the 1970’s due to its similarity to the traditional Turkish song “Kâtibim“, but the band denied there was any borrowing. #gilla #rasputin #boneym #frankfarian #eurodisco #germandisco #germanmusic #germanschlager #диско #евродиско #джилла #боним #бониэм