Sergey Lazarev Lucky Stranger 2017 Russia Eurovision 2016

Remember when the most controversial thing about Russia’s Eurovision entry was that they were too desperate to win? Stockholm 2016 really does feel like a distant memory. Fear not, Sergey Lazarev is here once more to offer us some respite from all the political posturing.

Released last week, Sergey’s latest single “Lucky Stranger” takes us back to the ’80s. It’s a simpler time… at least in his world. There’s nary an iron curtain or cold war in sight.

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Instead, we see Sergey don a denim and leather combo while sporting a mullet and handlebar moustache. Fashion on point!

The fun music video starts out at a school dance where Sergey sets his eyes on the lucky stranger — a pretty girl who happens to be with another guy.

A fight ensues, followed by a quick dance number. Next, the “You Are The Only One” hitmaker acquires a swanky new car before heading off to a pool hall.

It isn’t long before we witness yet another highly-choreographed brawl, only for the police to come and take Sergey away. Nevertheless, he finds the opportunity to pass on some gum to his lucky stranger.

Disappointingly, the video is far more exciting than the song itself. It desperately wants to be a full-on pop banger, yet barely registers as a bop. The horns are fun for about ten seconds, but become grating rather fast.

Still, kudos to Sergey for giving us both an English and Russian version of the song — even if the lyrics are somewhat uninspired.

Overall “Lucky Stranger” is mildly diverting, bordering on catchy. However, clocking in at 4:15, it’s easily a minute too long.

One solution could be to mute the music video and play any of Sergey’s recent hits in the background instead — the brilliant “Idealniy Mir” or “Breaking Away” would both make for excellent substitutes.

Sergey Lazarev Lucky Stranger (Official Music Video)

Sergey Lazarev Lucky Stranger (English Version)

What do you think of “Lucky Stranger”? Is it making you nostalgic for the ’80s or even for Sergey’s Eurovision days? Let us know in the comments below or react using the wiwibloggs app.

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13 Comments
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Esm7
Esm7
6 years ago

Obviously, the video is not made for ‘outsiders’.

MOskwitch
MOskwitch
6 years ago

Western Europeans won’t understand most references. The music is inspired by western pop of mid 80’s on the one hand and disco music from Indian movies, both very popular in the Soviet Union of Perestroika (1986-1990) era. The clip is very naturalistic, with its characters as if taken straightly from an average Soviet Russian town – an iron lady, obviously not married who organizes events for the youth, students that wear on their best dresses for disco, ? “spekulyant” (Sergei himself) who manages to get some European things (jeans, leather jacket, gum etc) and “raids” car washing stations for money,… Read more »

Lanti
6 years ago

Is it just me or does he look a bit like Emin in this video?

ttp_ua
ttp_ua
6 years ago

No iron curtain or cold war was in sight in the music video because it depicts the times when Perestroika had already started in the Soviet Union. The disco party starts actually in the so-called House of Culture which is a literal translation of a concert or event hall (the guy who sings on the stage is Sergey as well – you probably have noticed it yourself but it wasn’t mentioned in the review). The brawl scene is worth mentioning as it includes a reference to real life Sergey. While he is being arrested he looks at the policeman who… Read more »

William Lazarev !!!
William Lazarev !!!
6 years ago

@irada He was in Crimea.

soso
soso
6 years ago

Can’t stop laughing when I saw Sergey haircut.
What is he doing in this video, is he paying boys to start a fight, only to let Sergey win?

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago

In my opinion, his best songs are Almost Sorry(Russian), Just because you walk away, 7 wonders

irada
irada
6 years ago

Funny song, it`s so catchy and nice. I regret that this song is so long because “Lucky Stranger” can change “Flame is burning” in Kyiv. Sergey isn`t on black list.

ella
ella
6 years ago

Great choreography! The video is very funny )) Brings back a lot of memories..

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

I always wondered what the 1980s were like in Soviet Russia. Now I know. Thank you!

[The song itself is not Sergey’s biggest achievement in my opinion, but it’s “listenable”.]

escAU
6 years ago

please tell me it’s only a clip in mullet XD

Julie
Julie
6 years ago

To each their own – I think both song and video are super fun! The song has a retro feel while still retaining a modern sensibility and being quite catchy to boot. I love the cheekiness of the video as well. I was on a road trip recently, and we played this song. We all ended up dancing along, even though we only understood the chorus lol.