Ya Soshla S Uma

"Ya Soshla s Uma"
Two animated images of Julia Volkova and Elena Katina kissing.
Single by t.A.T.u.
from the album 200 Po Vstrechnoy
Released 19 December 2000
Format
Recorded 1999
(Neformat Studios, Russia)
Genre Electronic
Length 3:32
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Ivan Shapovalov
t.A.T.u. singles chronology
"Ya Soshla s Uma"
(2000)		 "Nas Ne Dogonyat"
(2001)
Alternative cover
Original and cassette-adapted cover

"Ya Soshla S Uma" (Cyrillic: "Я сошла с ума" [ja sɐʂˈla sʊˈma]; translation: "I Have Lost My Mind") is the debut song recorded by Russian girl group t.A.T.u., known under their Russian name for their debut studio and Russian language album, 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001). The recording was written by Sergio Galoyan, Elena Kiper and Valeriy Polienko, whilst production was handled by Ivan Shapovalov. The track was made available for purchase on 19 December 2000 as the lead single from the record. Musically, "Ya Soshla S Uma" is an electronic song. Although its original story was based on a dream Kiper had at a dentist appointment, Shapovalov evoked the theme of lesbianism in both this and the single's English language adoption, "All The Things She Said". Lyrically, it delves on two girls experiencing sexual relationships with each other.

Upon its release, "Ya Soshla S Uma" garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics. Many reviewers highlighted it as one of the album's best tracks and complimented the production, although most of them focused on the group's and the song's lesbian vibe. Commercially, the song experienced success in Russia, peaking at number one for eighteen consecutive weeks and selling 200,000 units in that region. Additionally, "Ya Soshla S Uma" impacted mainstream radio stations in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic.

An accompanying music video was shot at Khodynka Field, Moscow by Shapovalov, and portrayed t.A.T.u. wearing school girl outfits and kissing each other behind an iron-wired fence. Whilst the kissing scene from "Ya Soshla S Uma" was heavily controversial in Russian media, the English adaption "All The Things She Said" popularised the group worldwide and further caused controversy. In order to promote the single, the band performed it on their 2001–02 200 Po Vstrechnoy concert tour, and it was included on their compilation albums t.A.T.u. Remixes (2003) and The Best (2006).

Background and composition

t.A.T.u. members Yulia Volkova and Elena Katina had originally worked for Russian children musical group Neposedi, but Volkova was dismissed due to volatile behavior. Katina was also accused by Russian journalism of erratic behavior, and left not long after.[1] Subsequently, Russian music manager Ivan Shapovalov held a casting call for a solo singer to be managed by him, and selected Katina out of several other girls. He and his ex-wife, Elena Kiper, then decided to create and manage a duo, and selected Volkova as the second act for the group.[2] According to Kiper, she had attended a dentist appointed and was put under anesthesia for further surgical procedures, which resulted in recalling a dreaming about a woman kissing and waking up saying the phrase "Ya Soshla s Uma", which translates as "I've lost my mind" from Russian language.[2]

Kiper had told Shapovalov about the dream, and wrote the second phrase of the song, "Mne nuzhna ona", which means "I need her"; this led to Shapovalov conveying the theme of lesbianism through the track and its English language counterpart, "All The Things She Said".[2] Shapovalov had been accused by Russian media for taking the idea of Kiper and conveying it as his own, whilst Kiper stated that the idea was all thought by herself. "Ya Soshla S Uma" was written by Sergio Galoyan, Kiper and Valeriy Polienko, whilst production was handled by the group's manager, Shapovalov. He also composed the track, and it was recorded by him at the Neformat Studios, Russia in 1999.[3] Two versions of the single were released—the original version and an edited version that used the backing track of "All The Things She Said"; this version appeared on 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002).[4]

Release

After the completion of the song, the co-manager of the group, Boris Renski, decided to pull the release as he felt the final result would become a failure for the Russian public. Shapovalov persuaded Renski in allowing the continuation of the band, and offered to pay the music video himself; Renski accepted the offer.[5] The recording premiered on 19 December 2000 as the lead single from the album. It was released as a CD single which included the original version, four remix versions, and two enhanced videos (the visual and behind-the-scenes footage).[3] A cassette tape was also issued in Russia, and featured the five tracks from the CD single.[6] After the group signed a contract with Universal Music Russia in 2001, "Ya Soshla S Uma" was re-distributed as a double A-side single with their song, "Nas Ne Dagonyat" (2001), in Poland.[7] That same year, it was sent to radio stations in Germany and Europe. In January 2003, it appeared as a second B-side track on the physical release of "All The Things She Said".[8]

Controversy

In February 2011, American recording artist Katy Perry released her single "E.T." from her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010).[9] According to several music publications, the composition and rhythm bar of Perry's single was similar to the sound of "Ya Soshla s Uma";[upper-alpha 1] Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine disliked Perry's song for being "inscrutability" and said that its backing track was reminiscent of t.A.T.u.'s song.[10] Similarly, The A.V. Club editor Genevieve Koski felt "E.T." "bears more than a passing resemblance" of t.A.T.u.'s single, and a reporter from Sound Magazine posted a mash-up version of the songs to distinguish the comparisons; the website labelled it one of the most "annoyingly addictive" songs.[11][12] In May 2011, Galoyan responded to the comparisons and criticized Perry's track, considering legal action against the singer, West, and her labels Capitol Records and Universal Music Group, but not responding since his comments.[13]

Reception

"Ya Soshla S Uma" received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for AllMusic, Drago Bonacich selected the track as one of the group's best work.[14] Michael Osborn from MusicOMH discussed the girls' vocal abilities, and noted their vocal performance in both English and Russian were incomprehensible; he quoted, "But you try getting your tongue around Ya Soshla S Uma."[15] Sean Bertiger from Popdirt.com preferred the Russian version over the English adaption, citing the band's vocals and emotions as factors to his opinion.[16] Since its release, the song has achieved accolades and awards. In early 2001, Universal Music Group hosted a poll for the audience to vote on which song was the best from 200 Po Vstrechnoy; as a result, "Ya Soshla s Uma" came first place.[17] That same year, "Ya Soshla S Uma" won the 100 Pound Hit awarded by Hit FM Russia, with t.A.T.u. as well performing the track the same night.[18] On 29 November 2005, Kiper was presented the Songwriting Award at the BMI Honors Top European Songwriters And Publishers; this was her first win at the ceremony, and went on winning the second time with "Not Gonna Get Us" (2002), t.A.T.u.'s second international single.[19] Commercially, the single reached number one on the Russian Singles Chart, charting there for eighteen consecutive weeks.[20] By January 2010, "Ya Soshla s Uma" sold over 50,000 units and over 200,000 illegal copies.[21][22]

Music video

The accompanying music video to "Ya Soshla S Uma" was directed by Shapovalov, and was shot at the Khodynka Field in Moscow between 4–7 September 2000.[23] Preparation for the visual consisted of both Volkova and Katina covering themselves in dark-tanning lotion and getting haircuts. Over 90 people were present on set, including extra actors, whilst some members had designed a large brick wall by painting abstract patterns and colors to it. According to Shapovalov, the wall itself cost approximately $3000 USD.[24] After shooting the majority of the scenes in Khodynka Field, Shapovalov moved the wall and iron fence to Kutuzov Avenue, Moscow, in order to shot frames of traffic until the camera changed its focus on the girls again. Shapovalov stated that he wanted the viewers to know that there was a "world behind the crowd of people."[24] The video was broadcast in Russia and Europe in early December 2000 on MTV.[25]

A shot from the music video, portraying band members Volkova (left) and Katina (right) wearing school outfits, and running around a corner to find a vast Khodynka Field in Moscow.

The music video opens with a panning view of a fence and people with umbrellas on the left, eventually zooming out on an audience looking through it in the rain. Both Volkova and Katina are then shown singing to the track in catholic school uniforms.[26] Throughout the majority of the visual, the girls are featured performing erratic behavior, which includes them banging against a fence, yelling for help towards the audience, and occasionally laughing at them. While continuing to sing to each other during the second chorus, they subsequently start to kiss, and audience slightly stares at their actions.[23] Following this, several members of the public start to talk to each other, whilst a shot with the camera looking up Volkova's skirt and exposing her underwear is shown during the process.[23]

The bridge section has the girls laying in water while snow starts to fall. At the last portion of the chorus, t.A.T.u. are portrayed pointing in different directions, until they both walk around corner and see a vast field, where the sun is breaking out of the clouds; they clasp hands and walk off into the distance. The people on the other side of the fence are left in an eerie green light with rain falling steadily; it is also revealed that they are the ones isolated behind the fence. The video's final scene has the girls further walking in the distance.[23] Several frames from "Ya Soshla S Uma" did not appear in the visual for "All The Things She Said" due to lip-syncing issues.[27] Like "All The Things She Said", the video generated controversy for having the duo kissing, with critics particularly believing it prompt paedophilia and lesbianism. An editor from The Age commented that the impact of the video for "Ya Soshla s Uma" was generally lukewarm.[28]

The music video won the MTV Video Music Award among the Russian nominees of 2000, marking the group's first nomination and win at the ceremony.[29] Despite this, it caused controversy in Russia similarly to the cultural impact of "All The Things She Said". This resulted in the clip being banned on MTV Russia due to its propaganda-approach on lesbianism and gay rights; a censored version was edited by Shapovalov, omitting any sexual references. According to Jon Kutner, writing in his book 1000 UK Number One Hits, the idea of school girls behind an iron fence courted controversy nevertheless.[30] A member of The Advocate labelled the girls in the videos as "porn-quality lolitas", and noted it garnered huge media coverage in Russia alongside commercial sales.[31]

Remix versions

An official video for the remix version produced by HarDrum was included on the CD format of the single; it included unreleased footage that did not appear on the original version, featuring different angle shots of the girls, expressions from the public's faces and the band performing erratically. It also included various scenes of people on-set helping with the music video's production, and one holding the wired fence.[3] In July and September 2015, the group uploaded two teaser videos of a remix version produced by Fly Dream in order to commemorate the single's 15th anniversary on 19 December that same year; by then, it still remained unreleased.[32][33] On 7 August 2016, one year since the two trailers, t.A.T.u. uploaded an HD version of the video with new unreleased scenes and extended footage. Lasting five minutes and 37 seconds, it showed an extended cut of the girls arguing next to the brick wall and walking around the corner to find the vast Khodynka Field with a clearer cityscape in the distance by the fourth minute. The ending of the video portrays t.A.T.u. in the distance, similar to the original video.[34]

Promotion

"Ya Soshla S Uma" was included on the group's 200 Po Vstrechnoy concert tour, where they performed in Russia and Ukraine; they extended the tour in 2002 and traveled to Germany, Czech Republic,and Poland among others.[35][36] Parts of "Ya Soshla S Uma" were used during t.A.T.u.'s Truth Tour in St. Petersburg, were it served as the concert's closing number.[37] The single was additionally included on the group's greatest hits compilation album The Best (2006), while the music video and HarDrum remix and video version were included on the former album and their 2003 t.A.T.u. Remixes album.[38][39][upper-alpha 2] Russian singer Elena Temnikova performed a version of the track with another female artist for a Russian television show while impersonating band member Volkova.[40]

Track listing

CD single[3]
  1. "Ya Soshla S Uma" – 3:35
  2. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (DJ Ram Remix) – 4:05
  3. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (Sergio Galoyan Remix) – 4:35
  4. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (DJ Ram Remix 2) – 3:40
  5. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (HarDrum Remix) – 4:10
  6. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (Music Video)
  7. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (Music Video) [HarDrum Remix]
Polish CD single[7]
  1. "Ya Soshla S Uma" – 3:35
Cassette tape[6]
  1. "Ya Soshla S Uma" – 3:35
  2. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (DJ Ram Remix) – 4:05
  3. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (Sergio Galoyan Remix) – 4:35
  4. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (DJ Ram Remix 2) – 3:40
  5. "Ya Soshla S Uma" (HarDrum Remix) – 4:10
"Nas Ne Dagoynat" / "Ya Soshla S Uma" CD single[41]
  1. "Nas Ne Dagoynat" – 4:37
  2. "Ya Soshla S Uma" – 3:35

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of 20 Po Vstrechnoy;[42]

Recording
Personnel
  • Valeriy Polienko – songwriting, composing
  • Elena Kiper – songwriting, composing
  • Neformat – management, record label
  • Universal Music Russia – management, record label

Notes

  1. ↑ Various critics likened Perry's single to the instrumental of "All The Things She Said" or "Ya Soshla s Uma" although both versions share the same backing track.
  2. ↑ The liner notes of 200 Km/H in the Wrong Lane incorrectly labels the track as "Ya Shosla S Uma", whilst the liner notes for The Best mentions the recording under the title "Ya Soshia S Uma".

References

  1. ↑ Whiteley, Shiela, Rycenga, Jennifer (2006). "Queering the Popular Pitch". Taylor and Francis Group; published on Google Books. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Entertainment Africa Staff (2001). "t.A.T.u. Background". Entertainment Africa. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ya Soshla s Uma (CD single; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Neformat, Universal Music Russia. 2000.
  4. ↑ 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (CD Album; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Europe: Neformat, Universal Music Russia. 2002. 066 231-2.
  5. ↑ "Создатели группы «Тату» поссорились из-за пениса на сцене". ntv.ru. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  6. 1 2 Ya Soshla s Uma (Cassette Single; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Neformat, Universal Music Russia. 2000.
  7. 1 2 Nas Ne Dagonyat / Ya Soshla s Uma (CD Single; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Universal Music Russia. 2001.
  8. ↑ All The Things She Said (CD Single; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Europe: Interscope Records, Universal Music Russia. 2003. 019 331-2.
  9. ↑ "Teenage Dream – Album – by Katy Perry". iTunes Store (United States). 24 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  10. ↑ Cole, Matthew (22 August 2010). "Katy Perry: Teenage Dream Album Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  11. ↑ Koski, Genevieve (25 March 2011). "Week of March 26, 2011". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Sound Magazine Staff (21 May 2011). "Katy Perry's Latest Single May Actually Be Referring To Russian Aliens". Sound Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Newsmuz.com Staff (5 July 2011). "Сергей Галоян подает в суд на Katy Perry и Kanye West". Newsmuz.com. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  14. ↑ Bonacich, Drago (2013). "t.A.T.u. – Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  15. ↑ Osborn, Michael (10 February 2003). "t.A.T.u. – 200 Km/H in the Wrong Lane (album review)". MusicOMH. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  16. ↑ Bertiger, Sean (20 September 2003). "t.A.T.u. – 200 Km/H in the Wrong Lane (album review)". Popdirt.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "На радио и телевидении боятся мальчика-гея". tatysite.net. Adapted from Universal Music Group. 14 July 2001. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  18. ↑ "Group t.A.T.u. at the award ceremony radio "Hit FM" – "Stopudoviy hit" at the State Kremlin Palace.". kommersant.ru. 2 June 2001. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Songwriter for t.A.T.u. has given birth to a son". Newsmuz.com. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "About the TATU". t.A.T.u. website. 2000. Archived from the original on 15 October 2002. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "t.A.T.u. history – Page 3". t.A.T.u. website. 2000. Archived from the original on 16 July 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  22. ↑ Metacritic Staff (2011). "t.A.T.u. Profile". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "t.A.T.u. - Ya Soshla S Uma". t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube channel (in Russian). 7 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  24. 1 2 Screaming for More (DVD Compilation; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Europe: Universal Music Russia. 2003. 0602498000083.
  25. ↑ Bonacich, Drago (2016). "t.A.T.u. – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  26. ↑ Daily Mail Staff (13 December 2013). "Remember them? A scantily clad t.A.T.u reunite for The Voice Romania with bizarre performance of All The Things She Said". Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "t.A.T.u. - All The Things She Said". t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube channel. 24 December 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  28. ↑ The Telegraph Staff (14 June 2003). "Tatu bad to be true". The Telegraph; published through The Age. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "<TV.ru > About 2001". MTV Russia. 2001. Archived from the original on 27 December 2003. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  30. ↑ Kutner, Jon (2013). "1000 UK Number One Hits". Music Sales Limited. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  31. ↑ The Advocate Staff (2003). "If We're to believe they're lesbians, then why so much vagueness? And why must Tatu be served to the public as underage porn-quality lolitas? What are they really selling?". The Advocate. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "t.A.T.u. - Ya Soshla s Uma (RU) HD Trailer". t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube channel (in Russian). 21 July 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  33. ↑ "t.A.T.u. - Ya Soshla s Uma (RU) HD Trailer 2". t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube channel (in Russian). 3 September 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  34. ↑ "t.A.T.u. - Ya Soshla s Uma (Fly Dream Remix)". t.A.T.u.'s official YouTube channel (in Russian). 6 August 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  35. ↑ Tatu Tour Staff (2001). "200 Po Vstriechnoy Tour". Tatu-tour.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  36. ↑ All My Love Staff (2002). "t.A.T.u. Tour Diary". Allmylove.org. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  37. ↑ Truth Tour at St. Petersberg (Live DVD; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Neformat. 2006. NMB-001.
  38. ↑ The Best (Compilation Album; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Universal Music Russia. 2006. 00602517066564.
  39. ↑ Remixes (Remix Album; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Universal Music Russia. 2003. 981 785-5.
  40. ↑ "Елена Темникова. Тату — «Я сошла с ума». Точь‑в‑точь. Третий сезон. Фрагмент выпуска от 15.11.2015". 1TV.ru (in Russian). 11 November 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  41. ↑ Nas Ne Dagoynat/Ya Soshla S Uma (CD Single; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Poland: Universal Music Polska. 2001.
  42. ↑ 200 Po Vstrechnoy (CD Album; Liner notes). t.A.T.u. Russia: Neformat, Universal Music Russia. 2001. 014452-2.
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