The famous Russian singer Lyubov Uspenskaya discussed the song “Russia” and the assertion that Alla Pugacheva used it without giving proper credit. This has become a talking point in discussions about the original authorship and the way the song traveled between performers.
Uspenskaya recalled that in 1991, while in the United States, she recorded a version of the song with the line that translates to “Russia, I believe in your strength.” In Russia, the tune most people associate with this lyric comes through Alla Pugacheva, who has performed it since the early 1990s.
Uspenskaya expressed frustration, saying that the situation had been mishandled and that credit for the song was not properly acknowledged when Pugacheva began performing it, noting that the track appeared on her album.
She described the song as reflecting her own journey and decision to leave Russia, emphasizing the personal connection she felt to its themes.
The singer also mentioned that the person responsible for the song later admitted it had been a mistake to misappropriate the work, claiming confusion over the melody and the words.
In 2022, as Russia began its special operation in Ukraine, Uspenskaya decided to bring the song back into her own repertoire, incorporating it anew as a statement connected to her artistic identity.
Uspenskaya, who had recently become a citizen of the United States, also spoke about artists who chose to leave Russia after the onset of the conflict, offering a critical perspective on this trend.
She observed that public sentiment had shifted for many people who had once found comfort and opportunity abroad, suggesting that some individuals left Russia not merely for personal reasons but as a response to wider political changes. Uspenskaya drew a parallel with her own past, noting that there had been times when people left the country during periods of tension, and she warned against a pattern of exodus driven by fear or disillusionment. She emphasized that personal and professional choices should be understood within the broader context of freedom of expression and national circumstance.
Earlier, colleague Philip Kirkorov had spoken about sanctions related to Australia, highlighting the broader international climate that affected artists and their careers during times of geopolitical shifts.