The Tolmachevy Sisters—the fembots who will sing for Russia at Eurovision 2014—have released the official video for their song “Shine”. It wasn’t worth the wait.
Producers clearly thought that we would still be impressed that there are two of them. Rather than making an effort to tell a story visually, they’ve locked the twins in a room, put them in identical clothing, and asked them to stand in place while everything goes really pink. We’re fans of pink, but this is too much. It’s like a cotton candy factory exploded.
There is an upside to this downside. Because there was nothing to look at we focused on the “Shine” lyrics. Now we see “Shine” for what it is: a veiled love letter from Russia to Crimea.
Rewind to early February 2014, before Russian special forces occupied the Ukrainian territory. The Tolmachevy Twins were probably re-mastering the song, and potentially contemplating the lyrics.
“Been looking at the sky/ wishing on a star/ waiting for a brand new start.”
What’s under that sky? The Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which was transfered from Soviet Russia to Soviet Ukraine as a symbolic gesture in 1954 to commemorate the 300th annivesrary of Ukraine becoming a part of the Russian Empire.
“Living on the edge/ closer to the crime/ cross the line a step at a time.”
Apparently their brand new start involves inching towards the Ukrainian border. Like one of Putin’s tanks, these Sisters want to bring Crimea back into the fold. The “crime” they sing about could refer to Crimea itself, or to the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory.
“Now something’s got to give/ make a brighter day/ all we got to say.”
They aren’t willing to negotiate. They just want to launch into the chorus. It’s similar to how Putin didn’t actually want to engage in diplomacy. He just wanted to stage his illegal referendum and annex that land.
The chorus suggests nothing can stop Mother Russia from taking back what she sees as hers.
“Sending out a message up above/ Telling all the world to show some love/ No one’s gone bring me down, bring me down/ You are my rising sun.”
According to FreeMapTools.com, the distance by land transport between Moscow and Simferopol, the Crimean capital, is around 900 miles, or slightly less than 1,000. That makes the next verse somewhat telling.
“My life is on a string/ when I see you smile/ our love will last a thousand miles.”
Okay, now it’s just getting blatant.
“Now maybe there’s a place/ maybe there’s a time/ maybe there’s a day you’ll be mine.”
What do you guys think? Are the Tolmachevy Sisters vessels for Putin to convey his thoughts on Crimea? Do you think that this is Moscow’s weakest entry in years? And what on earth is that music video all about?
Willy Lee Adams contributed this report from London. Follow him on Twitter @willyleeadams. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.
California is Russia!
You can add meanings to any song. Like Italy’s “La Mia Città” means “My City”. Could be interpreted as a fight between Russia and Ukraine, both saying that Crimea is theirs. Oh, and if you wanna, you can literally say that the Austrian entry was practically advocating Crimean independence in their song. Walking in a rubble Walking over glass (Not too good of a situation in Crimea now) Neighbours say we’re trouble (Literally, Crimea is trouble between Russia and Ukraine) Well, that time has passed (It isn’t gonna happen anymore) Peering from the mirror No, that isn’t me (Crimea shouldn’t… Read more »
1st of all, I must say to a majority of the people posting random, critical comments that have no meaning like “this song is really bad”. They make no contribution, it’s your opinion, everyone has it but I don’t think that’s really gonna help. Also, to quite some people, I wish you would check your spelling and grammar. Spell check exists for a reason. I want the author of this page to take a cold shower and stop making critical comments that do not make sense. I do not see why “looking at the sky” refers to Crimea. I mean,… Read more »
Oh and next time, do ACTUAL reseach on Russia.
To the author I shall say this,
Get a cup of black coffee,
Take a cold shower,
Go to bed.
As accurate as the interpretations may seem to look like, I think this doesn’t make sense. First of all, the people behind this song are not entirely Russians. A Swedish person and a Greek person (who is also responsible for being behind other Eurovision entries that aren’t Russia’s) are also part of the team who made this song. Secondly, if we talk about including the Tolmachevy Sisters in the blame of the anomalies that the Russian Government has, I don’t think we can blame them because first of all, they’re still 17 so most likely they can’t vote yet, also,… Read more »
I know it’s too late for a comment but they didn’t wrote the song. First Tolmachevy sisters don’t speak english… And sincerely, the song is cool ,but this video is strange! :)) Bye Randy
I’m from Crimea and everything you know about this situation is wrong. There is more Russians than Ukrains. Mass media lies everywhere. Moreover, this song is really bad 😕
this song is one of the poorest in the list
What seems to be the problem if this russian song is good or bed? Voters decide, not bloggers.
Dear author,
Can I please have some of what you are smoking?
Many thanks,
Grateful reader.
Even if I do not include my personal opinion about the political actions Russia has taken over the past two years, and when I just listen to the song without prejudice, I just have to say it’s poor. Eurovision is about songs, not about politics. But I think it’s politically correct to state that this is not the best Russian entry and I am afraid it will not make it to the final. Warmest regards to y’all!
I think peace loving free democratic Europe and the world community must ban fascist state Russia and their vassal Armenia totally for the occupation of Crimea bearing in mind the occupation of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine by the mentioned authoritarian fascist states such as Russia and Armenia. We are in free Europe and beyond shouldn’t be categorically in the the same boat with gay haters, gay beaters, fascists, trolls, liars, fabricators, dictators, tyrants, aggressors and illegitimate occupants and their supporters! Boycott fascist Russia and their vassal dog Armenia! We show disrespect to our freedom, beliefs, sovereignty and democracy in Europe… Read more »
Sad for the sisters staying behind this in Eurovision
I am really sorry from my heart sorry for this young sisters starting behind this in Eurovision
@Alex Rednig I’d give you a thumbs up or a +1, but since there is none of that here…
The audacity of Russia “telling the world to show some love” is just beyond ironic…
Very bad song
I Agree with them here say and also sure this song is made to get the message out from Russia! However a bad song, producing and bad video
@Gregory
Agree to some point; though anyone in their right mind and fluent enough in English HAS TO understand what this post is about. On the other hand, anyone with a (pre-)intermediate+ level of English should understand the lyrics are a joke, and a sick one at that. There is NO way this song may be interpreted as other than near-provocation.
Just looking at that still with the embarrassingly naff pink background, identical clothing and spaced out expressions – is anyone else thinking ABBA circa 1975? Don’t get me wrong i love ABBA but there was a time and a place and that ship sailed 35 years ago. REthink your publicity campaign Tolmachevios 🙂 All the same i don’t like when politics comes into the argument here this is a song competition.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure a lot of you people freaking the F out are not native English speakers because this is obviously presented as ironic / a joke. You look hostile with your reactions. As @Timselvision says, it’s difficult NOT to interpret the song in the context of Crimea.
I think the (over)reaction of Joey, Ruben, and so many others is hilarious. You people need to learn to take a joke!!!!! This blog post is a bit of fun.
@Julian: The Knights “of Malta” only ruled Malta, they weren’t Maltese. It’s like comparing French people with French fries. Besides, I think the song is just another “Shine” in the Eurovision (fourth one since 2009!), nothing special.
Bad entry from Russia
I think this blog post from Wiwibloggs very good!
I see this song chosen by Russia, as everyone do, a message as the blog say and also most of public say in their post here!
I am laughing so hard at the people who think this blog post is serious.
It looks like Tomachevy’s come back in JESC style. The song does not look mature and it’s just boring. Lullaby without charm or anything inside. If it was sent from any country – definitely not to qualify. But it is sent from one of the biggest beneficiary of political voting. Last year Ukraine gave Russia only 4points in final – and you see what happened…..
Umm…even the grannies from 2012 were better than this…and they were the worst act that Russia put out. Are they even trying anymore or simply pouting at the West’s lack of attention? While North Korea launches missiles to draw attention, Russia puts out crap 😛
Can’t say that it’s bad, no. But it’s got nothing on it. Their voices aren’t extraordinairy, the song isn’t special, it just goes on and goes by and by that time I’ve lost interest. In 2006, they won because they were cute. Period. But that’s something, at least. They’re not cute anymore. This doesn’t even deserve the final.
MY FIRST SEMI-FINAL PREDICTION:
1) Armenia
2) Sweden
3) Azerbaijan
4) Hungary
5) Ukraine
6) San Marino
7) Albania
8) The Netherlands
9) Estonia
10) Russia
—————————————————————-
11) Moldova
12) Montenegro
13) Portugal
14) Belgium
15) Iceland
16) Latvia
There are 10 better acts in the first semi-final.
the song is written by Phillipp Kirkorov with the Maltese songwriters and is very bad! The recording sound by the Swedish Producer is horrible! Crap song!
i think @Julian is some of the composers themselfs writing here *LOL*
@Joey: lol, who’s overreacting now? :p
I dont look the politic situation , i just look for the songs , and Russia this year is really really bad , i fall sleep with this song , and the twins are really boooring , dont deserve the final , not in my top 10
Lyrics of the Russian entry is written by John Ballard, Ralph Charlie and Gerard James Borg. John Ballard is from Scotland (Scotland Independence referendum anyone?, in September this year) and owns a Swedish records company. John Ballard and Ralph Charlie were behind last year’s Azerbaijan entry Hold Me (Farid Mammadov) and I do not have to speak more from this. Gerard James Borg is Maltese, everybody heard about the Knights of Malta who knows what their hidden agenda is. And Ralph Charlie is the most dangerous of all. Apart from being accomplice of John Ballard he is 21 years old,… Read more »
Song is ok, just admit it. And @ESCFAN, the badiest entry ever???? WTF, France 2008, Estonia 2008, Spain 2008, Latvia 2008, Bulgaria 2009 etc. etc. Please, I’m concerned about you saying things like this 😉
My TOP 37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPJEzLFh5_I
oh my God!!! This STUPID FOOLISH BLOG is even MORE STUPID AND MORE FOOLISH WITH SOME IDIOTIC SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES TO THE SONG!!! IT’S JUST A SONG DUDE!!! CALM DOWN!!! THIS IS TOTALLY BIASED!!! UGH!!!
The “closer to the crime” part is just bizarre.
I like the song and, aside of what I think (as an European citizen) about Ukraine’s situation and Russia’s illegal occupation, I think that Eurovision shall keep aside of any politics (and now I know that everyone will say that the votes are influenced by politics, and of course I know it). I don’t see in any moment any reference to Ukraine or Crimea, also I won’t hate Tolmachevy Twins for what’s Putin doing and I shall say that I like her song, is not the better but, now, it’s in the 13th position from my point of view. Greetings… Read more »
What an offensive ‘article’ – since when did conjecture allow you to make such assumptions? I’d rather treat the state and an entertainment act separately, thanks. Won’t be reading this blog again!
This “article” is ridiculous. To the writer: You are degrading the quality of this otherwise very good blog.
y’all have too many spare times. they are just innocent ladies trying to win some audience’s hearts.
I think all behind this song and they votong for this song are vessels for Putin to convey his thoughts to Crimea
I think all behind this song and They vote for this song vessels for Putin
@Vladimir There is no way anyone could ever read “Tick Tock” as “an invitation for slaughter”. At most, if we make an effort (for the likely hidden message here may never be as blatant as that in “Shine”), we might read some irony along the lines: “We both knew you were mine / Now cover me, I’ll buy us time” –> irony by reversal of Russia’s “goodly recognition that Crimea belonged to it”, plus the apparent willingness of Crimeans to become a part of Russia (thus “covering” Russia, as in “backing” it) “If you cave in I break” –> as… Read more »
” Now we see “Shine” for what it is: a veiled love letter from Russia to Crimea.” Now that’s a stretch! You can read in the song whatever you want to. Considering that Tymoshenko stated that ethnic Russians should be killed, does that mean Maria’s “Tick-tock” is an invitation for slaughter?
We are all aware of political elements in Eurovision, but this is embarrassing.
This article is downright absurdity! Too biased.
PS: I am not judging the twins; I actually pity them