Alla Pugacheva – “Call me with you”
When the track arrived in 1997, Alla Pugacheva’s lyric song “Call me with you” quickly climbed to popularity. The video featuring Elena Korikova left a strong impression, with audiences noting a suggested connection to the late poet Tatyana Snezhina, who died in a car accident in 1995. Pugacheva herself admitted feeling a mystic link to the song, and during the recording she sensed her own performance carrying a voice beyond her own range. This moment added a layer of intrigue and emotional resonance that helped the single endure in public memory.
Murat Nasyrov – “The boy wants Tambov”
The upbeat feel of the Brazilian group Carrapicho’s influence contributed to the emergence of the song “The Boy Wants Tambov.” Their hit “Tic, Tic Tac” had already topped charts across Europe and Latin America. To make it relatable for Russian listeners, Murat Nasyrov crafted a new lyric inspired by the original melody, weaving in a catchy line that fit the Russian idiom. A distinctive choir was created to harmonize with the phrase “Bate forte o tambor,” which helped justify the choice of Tambov as the focal city for the track.
Natalie – “The wind blew from the sea”
Audiences were immediately drawn to the carefree, infectious mood of Natalie’s “The wind blew from the sea.” The singer first heard the tune at age 13 in a pioneer camp, and once the hit spread nationwide, it became clear that multiple people had laid claim to the authorship. Regardless of those complexities, Natalie’s performance propelled the song from local roots to widespread popularity, solidifying its place in the era’s soundscape.
Alena Apina – “Electric Train”
Oleg Molchanov initially doubted the potential success of Alena Apina’s rendition of “Electric Train.” Yet, after its 1997 release the track earned the Golden Gramophone Award and quickly dominated the charts. The song’s appeal grew so strong that it later saw translations into Serbian and Korean, extending its reach beyond the Russian-speaking audience.
Maxim Leonidov – “Vision”
Maxim Leonidov’s single “Vision” lingered in listeners’ minds thanks to an ironic refrain about turning back to check if someone has looked back. Drawing inspiration from musician Popa Chubby, the song was penned in about an hour. Leonidov later dedicated the piece to actress Anna Banshchikova, though he later admitted he found the track a touch childish and criticized it in hindsight.
Tatyana Bulanova – “Darling”
“Darling” became a defining song for Tatyana Bulanova. While her earlier work carried a sense of melancholy, the music video for this track presented her in a bold, energetic light, revealing a fresh facet of her artistry and leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
Aqua – “Barbie Girl”
Pop group Aqua released “Barbie Girl,” a playful ode to doll culture that topped global charts, including a four-week run atop the Billboard charts in 1997. The colorful video featuring Barbie and Ken sparked broader conversations about consumer culture and image, attracting controversy from Mattel over copyright concerns. Ultimately, the court sided with the artists, allowing the song and its video to remain on air and in circulation, much to fans’ delight.
Daft Punk – “Around the World”
The year 1997 marked Daft Punk’s rise with their debut album, a bold blend of electro, disco, and funk. The track “Around the World” ascended to the top of charts in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Iceland. Its hypnotic repetition and the iconic robot performances became a hallmark of late-90s electronic pop, remembered for both its audacious sound and visual spectacle.
The Prodigy – “Smack My Bitch Up”
British rave outfit The Prodigy drew attention with their provocative music video for “Smack My Bitch Up.” The track’s raw electronic energy was coupled with controversy over explicit content, drug imagery, and scenes that sparked debates about violence and sensationalism in music videos of the era.
Celine Dion – “My Heart Will Go On”
Canadian star Celine Dion delivered the timeless ballad “My Heart Will Go On” as the signature theme for James Cameron’s Titanic. The film’s sweeping success at the awards circuit and its emotional resonance helped cement the song as a cultural touchstone. Dion’s performance earned a special Oscar recognition for the composition, and the lyrics continue to be closely associated with the romance of Jack and Rose in the public imagination.