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Party Like a Russian

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"Party Like a Russian"
Song

"Party Like a Russian" is a song by British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, released as the lead single from his eleventh studio album The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016). The single was released in the United Kingdom on 30 September 2016. The song was written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers and Chris Heath. The chorus of the song samples Sergei Prokofiev's Montagues and Capulets.[1]

The music video for the song satirizes the hedonistic parties of the Russian elites. It drew criticism for its portrayal of Russian culture.[2][3]

However, the lyrics (other than the refrain) have nothing to do with partying. Instead, they deal with Russian oligarchs who funnel enormous sums of money overseas, to the detriment of the Russian people, with much of it going to ridiculous yachts and other excesses. Williams starts the song with "It takes a certain kind of man with a certain reputation, to alleviate the cash from a whole entire nation, take my loose change and build my own space station." Later, commenting on his yacht, he sings "It takes half the Western world just to keep the ship afloat."

He also sings, "Ain't no refutin' or disputin' – I'm a modern Rasputin."[2] Williams dismissed speculation that the song was an oblique criticism of Vladimir Putin, writing on Twitter that "this song is definitely not about Mr Putin"[4] and elsewhere observing that "Russians are ridiculously good partiers".[3][2][5]

An email that surfaced due to the Surkov leaks revealed that Russian businessman Roman Abramovich hired Williams to headline a New Year's dinner for President Putin's inner circle. The party took place in Moscow in 2014 and appears to have been the inspiration for "Party Like a Russian".[6][7]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 39
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 18
France (SNEP)[10] 66
Invalid chart entered Germany2 72
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[11] 12
Hungary (Single Top 40)[12] 30
Italy (FIMI)[13] 42
Scotland (OCC)[14] 19
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[15] 38
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 45
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 68
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 23

References

  1. ^ "Robbie Williams's 'Party Like a Russian' – Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Kashin, Oleg (5 October 2016). "Russians outraged by 'crude stereotyping' in Robbie Williams video". The Guardian.
  3. ^ a b Hume, Tim; Burrows, Emma (5 October 2016). "Robbie Williams accused of stereotyping Russians in new single". CNN.
  4. ^ Williams, Robbie [@robbiewilliams] (30 September 2016). "I love you Dan but this song is definitely not about Mr Putin x" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Natalia Antonova (2016-10-06). "Robbie Williams is right – Russians sure do know how to party". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Tucker, Maxim (28 October 2016). "Email leak reveals Robbie entertained top Putin aide". The Sunday Times.
  7. ^ Robinson, Julian (28 October 2016). "Robbie Williams performed for Putin's inner circle, emails reveal". Mail Online.
  8. ^ "Robbie Williams – Party Like a Russian" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Robbie Williams – Party Like a Russian" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 46, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 46" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  15. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201642 into search. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Robbie Williams – Party Like a Russian". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
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