Verka Serduchka
Seth Semmen
“Dancing Lasha Tumbai” is a Eurodance pop folk song written and performed by Verka Serduchka, a popular Ukrainian actor and singer who has sold over 600,000 records. The song was featured in Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 where it placed 2nd out 24 song entrants. In the coming months after Eurovision the song reached 6th in the French charts and went on to be 28th on The UK singles chart on 20 May 2007. This was the first time a non-UK, non-winning Eurovision entry had made UK charts since 1974.
The song and more specifically the origins of it’s title did come under some controversy along the song’s rise to popularity. The song’s first controversy came with “Lasha Tumbai’s” claimed Mongolian meaning of “whipped cream” but was later challenged as having no actual Mongolian significance. Allegations arose that the phrase was selected for its phonetic resemblance to “Russia Goodbye,” possibly referencing the 2004–2005 Orange Revolution. Despite the debate, Ukraine’s National Television Company backed Verka Serduchka, lead to the song’s participation in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. In response to the 2022 Russian invasion, Serduchka performed a modified version titled “Dancing Russia Goodbye,” emphasizing the sentiment at the Embrace Ukraine fundraiser and later at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final.
Information on Verka Serduchka
Andriy Mykailovych Danylko (Андрі́й Миха́йлович Дани́лко), best known for his drag persona, Verka Serduchka, was born on October 2, 1973, is a Ukrainian comedian, actor, and singer. He gained international recognition by representing Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song “Dancing Lasha Tumbai.” Danylko has also made appearances in films, including a cameo as Verka in the American comedy film “Spy.”
After Serduchka was selected as Ukraine’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, Finland, a protest action was organized by one of Ukraine’s nationwide FM radio stations to voice discontent with the choice. This decision faced criticism from some Ukrainians, including members of the Ukrainian Parliament, who deemed the character of Verka Serduchka as “grotesque and vulgar.” Despite the criticism Serduchka and their song “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” still won 2nd in the competition.
"Dancing Lasha Tumbai" original lyrics in Ukrainian, English, and German Hello everybody! My name is Verka Serduchka Me English nicht verstehen! Let's speak DANCE! Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu Sieben, Sieben, ein, zwei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu ein, zwei, drei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu Sieben, Sieben, ein, zwei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu ein, zwei, drei Tanzen! Weiter, weiter! Ich liebe! Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu Sieben, Sieben, ein, zwei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu ein, zwei, drei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu Sieben, Sieben, ein, zwei Sieben, Sieben, ai lyu lyu Nu ein, zwei, drei Tanzen! I want to see Aha... To dance or not to dance I want to see Aha... It's not a question I want to see Aha... Don't live to dance I want to see Dance to live Aha... I love you I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Tanzen! Танцевать хорошо! I want to see Aha... To dance or not to dance I want to see Aha... It's not a question I want to see Aha... Don't live to dance I want to see Dance to live Aha... I love you I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Lasha tumbai I want to see Tanzen! La-la-la-la.... Україна - це круто?! Круто! Україна - це кльово?! Кльово! Танцює майдан! La-la-la-la.... Ok! Happy end -Lyrics from https://lyricstranslate.com
"Dancing Lasha Tumbai" lyrics in English Hello everybody! My name is Verka Serduchka I don't speak English Let's speak dance Seven, seven, ai lyu lyu Seven, seven, one, two Seven, seven, ai lyu lyu One, two, three x2 Dance! More! More! I love! Seven, seven, ai lyu lyu Seven, seven, one, two Seven, seven, ai lyu lyu One, two, three x2 Dance! I want to see Aha... To dance or not to dance I want to see Aha... It's not a question I want to see Aha... Don't live to dance I want to see Dance to live Aha... I love you I want to see Lasha tumbai x3 Tanzen! Dancing is a good thing! I want to see Aha... To dance or not to dance I want to see Aha... It's not a question I want to see Aha... Don't live to dance I want to see Dance to live Aha... I love you I want to see Lasha tumbai x3 Dance! Ukraine - is it a good country? It's a good one! Ukraine - is it a nice country? It's a nice one! Maidan,dance!* Ok! Happy end! -Lyrics from https://lyricstranslate.com