Eurovision Top 100, #18: Wild Dances (Ukraine, 2004)

A classic contest winner sits at number 18 on the Eurovision Top 100 list, “Wild Dances” by Ruslana.

In 2003, Ukraine entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time.  By 2004, they had won it.  Outside of the original countries to enter the contest, this was the fastest turnaround for a newcomer to win.  When one watches the performance that got Ukraine from outside the contest to victorious in just two attempts, it is not difficult to see why.

Ukraine has produced a number of memorable entries in their history, and this one is perhaps the most revered.  Sure, some will prefer the efforts of Verka Serduchka, but this song was a worthy winner.

Vital Information: “Wild Dances”

What I Liked

Holy high energy.  This song showed us all in 2004 what an electric performance was at Eurovision.  You could not take your eyes off of her for the whole three minutes.  I would almost certainly break a hip doing what she and her backup dancers did, if not just die right on stage, but they nailed that aspect of it. Ruslana danced her ass off and still managed to do a decent job of the vocals at the same time.  I have no choice but to respect it.

“Wild Dances” is insanely catchy.  This is the sort of song that makes you want to get out of your chair and move.  It may be one of Eurovision’s catchier entries ever.

Other Facts

• This song actually did not win the semifinal, which was the first semifinal in Eurovision history.  Serbia & Montenegro did.  However, Ukraine turned the tables in the final, pushing Serbia & Montenegro into second.
• The song’s co-writer, Oleksandr Ksenofontov, is Ruslana’s husband.
• Ruslana became popular around the continent after winning Eurovision, and briefly went into politics as a member of Ukraine’s parliament.
• Ukraine went 10th in the grand final running order.

Shake It to “Wild Dances”

When you watch the video on YouTube.