manizha russian woman

After introducing fans to “Russian Woman” through the live national final performance, Manizha has now released the final version she’ll be taking to Rotterdam. Russia’s Eurovision 2021 singer has not made any major artistic changes to the song, but there are a few changes to the lyrics.

Manizha dropped the studio version of “Russian Woman” today on digital platforms. The song largely keeps the same sound and structure that Manizha first performed at Russia’s national earlier in the month. But there is one key lyric change.

The main chorus lyric in English has been slightly altered. The line previously said, “Every Russian woman needs to know / You’re strong enough to bounce against the wall”. But now Manizha sings “Every Russian woman needs to know / You’re strong enough, you’re gonna break the wall”.

A later part in the song has been replaced with some English, with Manizha saying “Hey Russian woman / Don’t be afraid, girl / You’re strong enough.” But the song lyrics mostly remain in Russian, with a message of strength and empowerment for Russian (and Russian-speaking) women.

“Russian Woman” reportedly investigated for potential “illegal statements”

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports that the Investigative Committee of Russia has looked into the lyrics of “Russian Woman” for so-called “illegal statements”. This follows a request from public figures who found the lyrics of Manizha’s song objectionable.

Following Manizha’s win at Russia’s national final, her song was criticised by State Duma (lower house of the Federal Assembly) deputies for “anti-Russian” values.

The Investigative Committee also received a complaint from the veterans’ newspaper Veteranskiye Vesti who considered that Manizha’s performance “offended the dignity of Russian women and violated national harmony”.

However, a source confirmed to RIA Novosti that no “illegal statements” have been found in the song.

Despite the objections some have to Manizha’s song, the Tajikistan-born star isn’t letting the criticism get to her. She recently released a hilarious video parodying the criticism. The video featured a scientific examination of Manizha, which discovered she wasn’t Russian — she was made of salt!

What do you think of the studio version of “Russian Woman”? Should Russia take more risks with its Eurovision entries? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Russia Eurovision news here

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cadas
cadas
3 years ago

Lmao I thought the original lyrics were “every Russian woman needs to know / they’re strong enough to rise against the world.” Kinda prefer my own lyrics to the actual ones 🙂

Eurotrash
Eurotrash
3 years ago

If I wasn’t already a strong Eastern European woman, this song would make me feel like a strong Eastern European woman.

Josh
Josh
3 years ago

I actually love this and I usually dislike Russian entries. This is my favorie eurovision song atm- so unapologetic and so Russian

Coco
Coco
3 years ago

Why has to be so complicated? If you are Russian citizen, then you are Russian. Period.

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

So far better than the usual Europop style of few entries.

Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

What??? It’s crap

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

I’m glad they kept most of it in Russian. As some already said, it doesn’t work that well in the studio version, but Manizha’s delivery in the live performance absolutely elevates it. It also makes fantastic use of backing vocals, which is something to be consider in a year many acts will carry around pre-recorded sounds.

sam
sam
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

while i agree with most of that, russian woman is my most streamed song on spotify at the moment i think the studio version is great

Ant
Ant
3 years ago

There’s a nuance in this whole discussion seems to be inaccessible to foreigners. There were definitely some stupid racist comments against her but not the entire debate of her being “Russian enough” is necessarily racist. In Russian there are two separate words for strictly ethnic Russian (1) and a citizen of the Russian Federation (2) which both translate to a single English word “Russian”. So, some people (reasonably or not) find it distasteful for Manizha to use the former designation as an ethnic Tajik woman. Russia has many indigenous peoples and they are all (2) but they never call themselves… Read more »

Teddie
Teddie
3 years ago
Reply to  Ant

Those two words mentioned are “russkiy / russkaya” (m/f) and “rossiyskiy / rossiyskaya” (as in Rossiyskaya Federatsiya, Russian Federation) in case anyone’s interested.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  Ant

Thx. It’s nice to know that nuance.

But does these song lyrics had to be qualified as ‘illegal’ ? I’m still upset about it.

Ant
Ant
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Nah it’s complete nonsense which is why it was quickly dismissed

Ant
Ant
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Okay well she did give a slightly conflicting messaging. In the song she says “we” but she later clarified she’s speaking to (*ethnic) Russian women (not claiming to be one). Some saw it as rude that she’s presenting Russian women as if they’re oppressed and need to be told how they can do better (to understand this better try to swap Russian for Tatar, Chechen or any other ethnicity of Russia). But, at least in my opinion, that’s bit an issue. And for sure nothing “illegal”! Those deputies were ridiculous

Last edited 3 years ago by Ant
Helene
Helene
3 years ago
Reply to  Ant

As soon as I saw the title I started to wonder why she only spoke about Russian women. Not all women. It gave me a shill. Like if there are some nationalistic issues at stake. But I still don’t know the whole lyrics so so might be wrong.

LoverAngel
LoverAngel
3 years ago

her grandmother was the first woman in Tajikistan to take off her hijab and began to work, for this the government took her children away from her, but she didn’t break and won freedom and brought her children back! Freedom is in Manizhas blood!

LoverAngel
LoverAngel
3 years ago
Reply to  LoverAngel

 you can read more about manizha’s grandmother on wikipedia

Marseille
Marseille
3 years ago

The studio version is not something I would dowload to my playlist, but if she brings even half the fire and attitude that she brought to the NF to the Eurovision stage, this is gonna be outstanding. As far as female empowerment songs go, I like this better than Malta’s (although I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it)

Kedmir
Kedmir
3 years ago
Reply to  Marseille

I can’t agree more!

LoverAngel
LoverAngel
3 years ago

love her

Reus
Reus
3 years ago

This is the song I’m most excited to see on stage in Rotterdam. I just KNOW Manizha has some killer staging planned.

Helene
Helene
3 years ago

It is hard to know I if it is empowering or not. I need to see the whole lyrics to see that. I don’t like the fact that she only speek t and about Russian women. Why not try to speak to all women? It gives my a nationalistic feeling that gives me a chill. And just because you say that women need to be strong it doesn’t have to be feminist. Depends on what she means by strong.

Last edited 3 years ago by Helene
LoverAngel
LoverAngel
3 years ago
Reply to  Helene

she sings about Russian women because Russia has huge problems with women’s rights. every year 12-14 thousand women are killed in Russia due to domestic violence. domestic violence in russia has been decriminalized. she was always worried about this topic, her video ” mama ” about it. And she wants to promote self-love to Russian women at Eurovision too, so the song is in Russian. there is an English translation of this song on the Internet

Last edited 3 years ago by LoverAngel
PipeGG
PipeGG
3 years ago

I’m impressed by how much this song grows live, Manizha is great.

raylee
raylee
3 years ago

I LOVE THIS WOMAN ! She has a very different energy , there is something in her but i couldn’t find what it is. She is so cute and so well-deserved to be in Eurovision. With the best of luck , dear Manizha!

Colono
Colono
3 years ago

I like her.

Song is really bad though.

Stian F
Stian F
3 years ago

I actually prefer the first version of the lyrics. I havent read any backstory to the songs lyrics but I felt the “bounce against the wall” part was probably a reference to domestic violence that women experience and a message to those women that they shouldnt let themselves believe they are not strong for being in that situation. I know the new lyrics can be interpreted the same way, it just felt more direct with the original lyrics. That said this is the best Russian entry since 2009s “Mama” when coming to proper songs (disregarding the funny nonsense from Little… Read more »

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago

I don’t even remember when the last Russian entry had Russian lyrics

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

Oh it was back in 2012, with the cute babuskas

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

even that wasn’t Russian, it was in udmurt.

Alonso
Alonso
3 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

2009 when Russia hosts the Eurovision and 2012.

Last edited 3 years ago by Alonso
LoverAngel
LoverAngel
3 years ago
Reply to  Alonso

no, you’re wrong. in 2009 representer of russia was ukrainian artist. she sang on ukrainian language. in 2012 babushkas sang on udmurt language, not russian. russian language on eurovision was in 2003 t.A.T.u. “Nje vjer, nje bojsa”

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  LoverAngel

in 2009 she sang in ukrainian AND Russian

Davidinho
Davidinho
3 years ago
Reply to  Alonso

2012 the song was entirely in Udmurt which is a Finno-Ugric language close to Finnish and Estonian with an English chorus. 2009 – half-Russian half-Ukrainian. Tatu sang in Russian, Alla Pugacheva, Fillip Kirkorov, Masha Kats too.

Alonso
Alonso
3 years ago
Reply to  Davidinho

Yeah, you are right.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago

Something really different from Russia and I appreciate that

The French Hufflepuffie
The French Hufflepuffie
3 years ago

COME ON! I can’t take these controversies anymore seriously… Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Belarus, Russia) seem not to like democracy anymore, although I doubt they ever did

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago

Their politicians not their residents

12345
12345
3 years ago

*stares at Destiny*

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  12345

Yeah, empowerment only for Russian speaking-women. Destiny sings for all the women, without any specification.

Micky
Micky
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

hahahhaha how selfish! How dare she to speak only to russian women…. aoohh! i’m so offended as a Malagasy woman. Wait, my tongan and paraguayan roots are screaming discrimination! oohhh

beccaboo1212
3 years ago

Music video please! Same thing with Australia, Denmark, new one for Finland, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. 🙂

Yannis
Yannis
3 years ago

Love her attitude and artistic integrity!

Alonso
Alonso
3 years ago

So damn right! Women should be brave and independent. However, debasng and objectifying men is not a laudable way to promote feminism. What Manizha did and sang is praiseworthy. I admire her so much for that. This song with its catchy tune is really a brainworm. And I truly hope Russia could be in top 5 this year.

Victor
3 years ago
Reply to  Alonso

Seems you are not close to what happens in Russia. Women are brave and independent for more than 100 years, unlike in Europe. It all started with the Revolution in 1917. This song is more for others with the purpose to win this contest.

Alonso
Alonso
3 years ago
Reply to  Victor

???(why Russian words can’t be published?). You have no idea about the meaning of the lyrics of Russian Women, right? The line at the end of the song, it means ‘a broken family can’t break me down’. Russian women suffer from domestic violence nowadays. So this song Russian Women, is a song that encourages women to be brave enough to step out of domestic violence and to be independent, not just a song written for winning a national selection.The song was so significant that it was asked to censor illegal lyrics it may contained. This is a big win and… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Alonso
kohen
kohen
3 years ago

Her song is growing on me, currently in my second place after France

Doris
Doris
3 years ago

Russia 12 pts
Azebaijan 10 pts
Latvia 6pts
Malta 0 pt

Stian F
Stian F
3 years ago
Reply to  Doris

Malta 12 points
Russia 10 points
Azerbaijan 6 points
Latvia 0 points

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago
Reply to  Doris

Latvia 7/10
Russia 6/10
Malta 3/10
Azerbaijan 2/10

Teddie
Teddie
3 years ago

Well, at least this is not boring-as-hell Tusse

Erik
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddie

Hilarious answer. It might come from a dictatorship, but it sure isn’t a lame song xD Priorities… priorities.

Freedom of speech? Nah… at least we have thins song we can all listen to. It’s very catchy. Heyyy maccarena!

knorkator
knorkator
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddie

Dude, what’s wrong with you? Why are you so hysterical and spiteful all the time? Do you even have a life or what?

knorkator
knorkator
3 years ago
Reply to  knorkator

Yes, I know. CORONA.

Teddie
Teddie
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddie

I live in Russia lol

Darren
Darren
3 years ago

Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we cant deny that this is Russia’s most unique, daring and actually Russian entry in a very long time.

12345
12345
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Well, 2012 was also an authentic Russian entry, but it was miles better than 2021.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
3 years ago

I love this song live because Manizha is a great performer and I love her facial expressions. I have a bit more trouble with the studio version. It’s hard to get into it without the visuals.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

i feel the same, the song itself is dumpster fire but it becomes very entertaining on stage

Thanos
Thanos
3 years ago

Wow

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago

Since their song (rightfully) got declined on the submission deadline, I’m pretty certain they have an extended deadline to come up with something new. Maybe until the end of march.

Kenny03
Kenny03
3 years ago

For the first time in a looooooong time I am really behind the Russian entry this year. Don’t get me wrong I liked uno last year. But I am really routing for Manizha herself, and am really glad that Russia have taken a risk this year. Good luck Manizha!!

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

“Violated national harmony”. Ah yes, Russia. The most harmonious country on Earth.

knorkator
knorkator
3 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Russians always think they are the only nationality/ethnicity in Russia.

OberonYronwood
OberonYronwood
3 years ago

I ADORE this song, its so original, the lyrical content is great, By far one of the best and most daring songs Russia has ever sent.

Also, I just love to see a bunch of old misogynistic lunatics going crazy about a song that talks about female strength.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

Also the deadline is for song submissions, not for public release. Belarus can apply the song and not release it until the end of March.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

It’s called an unibrow.

ESCb
ESCb
3 years ago

The EBU is still in talks with BTRC, the Belarussian broadcaster

Last edited 3 years ago by ESCb
Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Russia taking chances! Russian language, very unusual structure, important message… yes, this is bold and it could do really well! Personally, I find this to be the strongest feminist anthem this year. I can see it being in my top ten.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Though I believe the intentions behind other female self-empowerment entries this year are also positive, I agree that this is the one that can be properly called a feminist song, because the lyrics avoid a superficial approach of the gender inequality issue and I read somewhere that Manizha even used some local cultural references while addressing the subject.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago

I love this song. Top 10 for me. And it is sad to see that empowerment lyrics destined to Russian women are considered illegal…

Sesilwe
Sesilwe
3 years ago

Idk why but this song gets better everytime I listen to it

kir
kir
3 years ago

Begging your government and police to protect you from domestic violence but being totally ignored?

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  kir

Don’t mind him. That dude doesn’t have empathy.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Just towards you honey. I’ll be your nemesis here.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Why do you keep commenting my answers then ? Just ignore them. If you keep answering, it just proves that you do care.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

And you’re right, I’m dumb for writing that I’ll be your nemesis. I don’t wanna be related to someone like you. And now… je me casse.

Ellen
Ellen
3 years ago
Reply to  Ellen

Oh, that’s so cute. I have so many dislikes under my comments. Your cheerleaders are so cute by supporting you, Vanilla lol

kir
kir
3 years ago
Reply to  kir

Mr. Lukashenko, is that you?

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

I love this song, but the live really adds something to the song. I’m not a fan of this studio version, but I could listen to the live for hours.