‘Lost and Forgotten’ Peter Nalitch – Russia’s Eurovision 2010 Attempt At Avant-Garde
The times of Dima Bilan are over for the Russians at Eurovision. With a formula-perfect Eurovision hit and glamoured-up look, Bilan got Russia what it wanted all these years - he won the contest in 2008 and Eurovision was finally held in Russia a year later with a lot of fanfare and record everything, including the 42-million dollar budget.
Now, Russia seems to be back and experimenting with a music style that does not typically do well in Eurovision context.
Last year, Anastasia Prikhodko represented Russia with a folk/ballad rendition of "Mamo." She went up on the stage wearing a simple white dress to go with a braid, minimalist make-up and no shoes. Overfed with glitzed-up artists, many in Russia thought Prikhodko was odd. But this year, the "oddness" continues. Peter Nalitch, a guy who lives and breathes anti-glamour, was chosen to represent Russia at Eurovision 2010 with his song "Lost and Forgotten."
Peter Nalitch (photo by Flickr user marita.cavarubias)
Twenty-eight-year-old singer and songwriter Nalitch became famous thanks to YouTube. The video of his song "Guitar" went viral in 2007. A simple Gypsy inspired tune, Nalitch's decent vocals, cheesy backdrop and broken English lyrics made the video an international YouTube hit.
His career took off from there. Now, being a self-produced artist, Nalitch makes all of his music freely available online, tours across Russia and gets his share of audience. All that was nice and no one minded, until this March Nalitch bypassed the very business model that the Russian music industry rests upon. Without help from any mighty producers, he won the right to represent Russia at Europe's biggest show biz meet-up.
Sure, Nalitch made a statement, but will he place in Oslo? Experts say Nalitch does not stand a chance to break into the top 10, but did he open the door for Russia's music avant-garde trying to break through the glamour glass ceiling of autotuned artists? Well, the post-Eurovision billboard charts will show.
Meanwhile, here is Nalitch's Eurovision 2010 entry video and song lyrics.
Lost and Forgotten
Would you believe Lord of Mercy?
Would you be so good Lord?
I wanna love her now
And I wanna feel that now with all…
All of those kisses and sweet embraces
Here am I lost and forgotten
For this cruel cruel time
When I’m first time in love
Now that is why
Now that is why I sing Lord of Mercy
And I hope now that you hear me
What are you doing man?
I’m looking at her photos
What should I do with them?
Drop them to the fire
Oh yes yes I’m gonna burn them now
‘Cause I have to forget her now with all…
All of those kisses and sweet embraces
Here am I lost and forgotten
For this cruel cruel time
When I’m first time in love
Now that is why
Now that is why I sing Lord of Mercy
And I hope now that you hear me
Here am I lost and forgotten
For this cruel cruel time
First time in love
Now that is why
Now that is why I sing Lord of Mercy
And I hope now that you hear me
Oh bring her back to me
April 18th, 2010 - 23:37
Interesting post, Y! Eurovision is really fun. I wish we had something like it in North America.