The song references Grigori Rasputin's alleged healing of hemophiliac Tsarevich Alexei of Russia, and how this endeared him to the boy's mother, the Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna (former Princess Alix of Hesse). It also claims that Rasputin was Alexandra's paramour ("Ra Ra Rasputin: lover of the Russian queen - there was a cat that really was gone"). As "Russia's greatest love machine", the "Moscow chicks" thought him lovely. The song states that Rasputin's political power overshadowed that of the Tsar himself in "all affairs of state". When his sexual and political acts became intolerable "men of higher standing" plotted his downfall, despite the fact that "the ladies begged" them not to.
The end of the song recounts a modified version of a popular description of the events that culminated in Rasputin's assassination, as perpetrated by Felix Yusupov, Vladimir Purishkevich, and Dmitri Pavlovich of Russia on December 16, 1916 (O.S.). Specifically, the song states that Rasputin's assassins fatally shot him after he survived the poisoning of his wine with a very large dose of cyanide.
While the song accurately indicates that many unfavorable rumors damaged Rasputin's reputation, there is no verifiable evidence to suggest that he had an affair with Alexandra.
The song rose to the top of the charts in Germany and Austria, and went to #2 in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. It was another number 1 hit for Boney M. in Australia, providing them a second (and last) chart topper in that country (the other one being "Rivers of Babylon").
Although the song was written and performed in English (with a smattering of German - But the kasatschok he danced really wunderbar!), it enjoyed great popularity in the Soviet Union, and is credited with making Rasputin famous again there, although it was omitted from the Russian pressing of the album and Boney M. were barred from performing the song during their ten performances in Moscow in December 1978.
During their visit to Poland in 1979, Boney M. performed Rasputin despite being asked not to by government officials. The show was broadcast on national TV the next day, after the song was edited out of their performance.
The song has been covered by a number of other bands in varying musical styles, perhaps most notably by the Finnish folk metal band Turisas. Boiled in Lead also covered it in a heavy metal version.
The Washington, D.C.-based dance/rock band Ra Ra Rasputin takes its name from the song.
The song also appears on the video game Just Dance 2.
The song appears in the Doctor Who episode Power of The Doctor firs broadcast 23/10/2022. The character of the Master disguises himself as Rasputin and plays the song.
Rasputin
Boney M Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow
Most people looked at him with terror and with fear
But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He could preach the bible like a preacher
Full of ecstasy and fire
But he also was the kind of teacher
Women would desire
Ra ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone
Ra ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on
He ruled the Russian land and never mind the czar
But the cassock he danced really wunderbar
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze
For the queen he was no wheeler dealer
Though she'd heard the things he'd done
She believed he was a holy healer
Who would heal her son
Ra ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone
Ra ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on
But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger
For power became known to more and more people
The demands to do something about this outrageous
Man became louder and louder
This man's just got to go, declared his enemies
But the ladies begged, don't you try to do it, please
No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Then one night some men of higher standing
Set a trap, they're not to blame
Come to visit us they kept demanding
And he really came
Ra ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian queen
They put some poison into his wine
Ra ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
He drank it all and said, I feel fine
Ra ra Rasputin
Lover of the Russian queen
They didn't quit, they wanted his head
Ra ra Rasputin
Russia's greatest love machine
And so they shot him 'til he was dead
Oh, those Russians
The song "Rasputin" by Boney M is a fast-paced and energetic retelling of the life and death of Grigori Rasputin, a controversial figure in Russian history. The lyrics describe Rasputin as a powerful and charismatic man, feared by many but loved by the women of Moscow. He is depicted as a religious leader who could preach like a preacher and a teacher that women desired. He had many political connections and was able to influence decisions made by the czar.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that Rasputin's vices, such as drinking, lusting and hunger for power, eventually caught up with him. He had many enemies who plotted against him, and in the end, he was poisoned and shot to death.
The song's lyrics reveal a lot about Rasputin's reputation as a controversial figure. He was seen as a powerful and influential man, but at the same time, he was known for his vices and promiscuity. The contrast between his religious preaching and his personal behavior is highlighted in the lyrics, and it serves to deepen the mystery and intrigue surrounding him.
Overall, "Rasputin" is a catchy and entertaining song that provides a glimpse into a fascinating period of Russian history.
Line by Line Meaning
There lived a certain man in Russia long ago
Once lived a man in ancient Russia.
He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow
He possessed great physical strength and his eyes shone brightly
Most people looked at him with terror and with fear
Many people feared and were afraid of him.
But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He was beloved by Moscow women.
He could preach the bible like a preacher
He was skilled in preaching the Bible similar to a pastor.
Full of ecstasy and fire
He preached with great enthusiasm and passion.
But he also was the kind of teacher
He also possessed qualities of a teacher.
Women would desire
Women found him sexually attractive.
Ra ra Rasputin
Phrase used to refer to Rasputin.
Lover of the Russian queen
Rasputin was the lover of the Russian queen.
There was a cat that really was gone
A cat that had disappeared.
Russia's greatest love machine
Rasputin was known as Russia's most skilled lover/man of passion.
It was a shame how he carried on
His behavior was very shameful to some.
He ruled the Russian land and never mind the czar
He controlled Russia without concern for the Czar.
But the cassock he danced really wunderbar
He danced very skillfully in his cassock.
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
He was highly influential in all state affairs.
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze
He was even greater when he was able to be with a woman.
For the queen he was no wheeler dealer
He did not make deals with the queen.
Though she'd heard the things he'd done
Even though she heard of his past actions.
She believed he was a holy healer
She believed he was a religious healer.
Who would heal her son
She believed he would heal her son's ailments.
But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger
However, when his excessive drinking, lust, and desire for power became known to more people
For power became known to more and more people
His desire for power became more widely known
The demands to do something about this outrageous
People demanded that action be taken to stop his outrageous behavior
Man became louder and louder
These demands grew increasingly loud and urgent.
This man's just got to go, declared his enemies
His enemies believed he must be removed from power.
But the ladies begged, don't you try to do it, please
However, women begged for him to be spared.
No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Rasputin had many appealing qualities that were not immediately apparent.
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Despite his brutishness, women were still attracted to him and willingly went to him.
Then one night some men of higher standing
One night, men with high social positions
Set a trap, they're not to blame
Planned to trap Rasputin, without blame
Come to visit us they kept demanding
They invited him to visit them many times.
And he really came
Rasputin really did come to see them.
They put some poison into his wine
They poisoned his wine.
He drank it all and said, I feel fine
He drank it all and acted like he was unaffected.
They didn't quit, they wanted his head
They did not stop their attack, they wanted his head.
And so they shot him 'til he was dead
They shot and killed him.
Oh, those Russians
An expression used to show amazement towards the Russians for these events.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK FARIAN, FRED JAY, GEORGE REYAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hansenyan6217
Bobby Farrell:
Born in Island country of Aruba ,
Jamaican decent ,
In a German band,
Singinglip syncing in Englishin Turkish melody,
using Japanese instruments,
performing in Poland ,
singing about a Russian man and later died in Russia .
RIP Bobby Farrell
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Jamaican singers
In a German band
Singing an English song
About a Russian guy
With Asian outfits
Filmed in Poland
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Mr Worldwide
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Also brother: (does better than excellent)
Girls: We regret saying that
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