Credits
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© C1R
Part twenty-nine
Introducing the 2009 entries: Russia
Basic information
| Performer: | Anastasia Prikhodko (Анастасія Приходько) |
| Song: | Mamo (Мамо/Mum) |
| Language: | Russian and Ukrainian |
| Music: | Konstantin Meladze (Константин Меладзе) |
| Lyrics: | Konstantin Meladze, Diana Golde (Константин Меладзе, Диана Гольде) |
| Draw: | 10th in the final |
The song
Mamo is a mid-tempo folk pop/rock song performed in Russian and Ukrainian. The lyrics are about a disappointment in love the singer has been warned of by her mother:
Мамо, а ти ж мені казала як не жадай
Мамо, а я ж тоді не знала де ж та біда
Мамо, а ти ж мені казала час як вода
Мамо, мамо, мам, любов - біда
Mum, and you have told me not to desire
Mum, and back then I did not know where worries were
Mum, and you have told me that time is just like water
Mum, mum, mum, love means worries
The singer
Ukrainian Anastasia Prikhodko is a trained musician having graduated from the folk vocal department of the music academy and she also plays the piano, the guitar and the flute. She became famous as the winner of the Russian talent search Star Factory. In 2009, she tried to represent her native country Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest but she did not pass the internal semi final. She accused broadcaster NTU and the jury of vote rigging, which led to some controversy.
Having been eliminated from the Ukrainian selection process, she was added as a last contestant to the line-up of the Russian national final on short notice. With the song Mamo she could win the selection and will therefore represent the host country of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. She is the first foreigner to represent Russia in the competition but the third foreigner already to represent a host country following French Michèle Torr representing Luxembourg in 1966, French Anne-Marie David representing and winning for Luxembourg in 1973 and Swedish Anna Sahlene representing Estonia in 2002.
The national selection
16 acts took part in the Russian national final performing one song each. There were two rounds of voting. In the first first round, the top three were chosen by televoting. From the top three, a jury with eleven members chose the eventual winner giving six points to Anastasia Prikhodko, five points to Valeriya and no points to Kvatro. Anastasia Prikhodko had also been the winner of the televoting.
Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Russia entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and despite a debut in the top ten, mediocre placings followed in 1995 and 1997 as well as an elimination in the 1996 internal semi final. This turned with the year 2000, when Russia finished second in Stockholm. In this decade, Russia won once, finished second twice and third twice making it one of the most successful countries in recent years.
Мы желаем России и Анастасии Приходько удачи и успехов на Евровидении в Москве!
Videos
National final performance:
Harlequin performance:
Bezotvetno (feat. Valery Meladze):
Other parts of this series
- France
- Portugal
- Romania
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- Cyprus
- Latvia
- Ireland
- Malta
- Armenia
- Germany
- Serbia
- Belgium
- Greece
- Croatia
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Iceland
- Moldova
- Switzerland
- Slovenia
- Andorra
- Ukraine
- Spain
- Sweden
- Montenegro
- Finland
- Lithuania
Tomorrow, we will take a look at the Turkish entry.
Related polls
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Melodi Grand Prix
- Azerbaijan: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Milli Seçim Turu
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the final of A Dal
- Iceland: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Songvakeppni Sjonvarpsins
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the second semifinal of A Dal
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the third semifinal of Melodi Grand Prix
- Sweden: Vote for your favourite act in the first semifinal of Melodifestivalen
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the semifinal of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Bulgaria: Vote for your favourite act in the Bulgarian national final 2012
- Latvia: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Eirodziesma 2012
- Belarus: Vote for your favourite act in the final of EuroFest 2012
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Reactions
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Was very intriguing and thrilling to see Russian entry this year as a homeland.
Honestly I was surprised - I expect some extra-mega-circus-show with excellent propaganda and very famous singer..maybe another top3 entry (4th in a row).
..BUT, we've got the typical Russian melody with ok singer - the entry that we could've expected 10 or more years ago.
This one is ok to me, I am not a fan of it, but nor a antifan too.
Some parts are interesting and I can say Anastasia did it good, especially puts more drama as the song goes to the end.
I cannot predict the final position of it, certainly not 4th top3 in a row.
For exYu members - Anastasia's performance reminds me a lot of Snezana Miskovic - Viktorija's performances, ah? 
No change for Russia to be in top 10 this year
One of this years best songs .... I really like her voice and the sound... it is different and engaging.... This deserves to be in the top 5 along with Norway, France, Bosnia and Switzerland...
@Eurovizz
as long as my partner isn't called victor hahaha
and Rol is ok, call me what you like, I'm easy hahahaha
@ Ro L.
well well.. btw can I call you for Rolf? 
Your nick does always remind me of the name Rolf ..
listening to the studioversion again, but finally realizing.... it's her voice I don't like. the song isn't really my thing, but her voice and the overdramatic ending just puts me off.
@Eurovizz
I have done that, and I totally agree that the production of the Russian final was bad, even Tim Rocks was bad, and still I love the song, but Mamo to me just isn't working really. I know you're right studioversions sometimes really are addictive, but in this case, I can't help but stil hate the song. Of you're entitled to be in love with every song you like, that at least keeps the diversity alive ;-)
N'joy
http://www.youtube.c(...)US&v=Qd45m36A-To
trailer of new t.A.T.u. song that will be in premiere tomorrow on MTV Russia..
I heard they maybe will perform at ESC..Lena Katina said it (one of he singer)
@ Ro L.
Download the studioversion and you'll fall in love 
Like somebody said in the Turkish thread, Greece, Azerbaijan and of course all the Russian finalists sang "bad", much because of the bad production on stage etc.
don't know what it is, but when I hear this song I get kind of a 'cloud' in my head and become tired. it's like hard work listening through the entire song
Natalya Podolskaya had the bes live performance!! amazing voice!!
And viva Ireland,
I hope "Mamo" wins!
One of the best Russian entries ever and the vocals are amazing!!!
@ Arica Vision
Well, Nataliya Podolskaya was already living in Russia, when she represented Russia in 2005. By now, she has also become a naturalised Russian citizen. Philip Kirkorov was born in Bulgaria, but he is widely regarded as Russian-Armenian.
And even if it was not this way, it would still be no reason for WTFing us 
.
how can someone love this song..jakkkkkk..borrriiinnnggg ..stupid..
"NATALIA PODOLSKAYA WAS BELARUSSIAN!!!!! "
She was also absolutely amazing and should have been top 5!! 
I just love this song. I think it is great and I usually don't like russian entries with bright exceptions 1994, Tatoo and Believe Me.
Goood song.....................
isn't Philipp Kirkorov Bulgarian?
yes, he is
Africa Vision,
if I'm not wrong, isn't Philipp Kirkorov Bulgarian?
WTF ESCTODAY?
"is the first foreigner to represent Russia in the competition"
This is not true! Does your memory only go back to 2006?? NATALIA PODOLSKAYA WAS BELARUSSIAN!!!!!
Mamo just made it into my top 6.
Go Anastasia!
any more than 1 point is too much for this terable entry!
I'm glad Russia has finally sent something more genuine, not sounding like a song which would be more appropriate to represent the United States.
Also if Russia send a dog with a guau guau song , go to be high and the people go to find it original and diferent because is Russia,i begin to see the light,hehe
Well a lot better than last year's Russian entry...... but that's not too difficult
Not my cup of tea, but still wish you all the best, Russia.
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