IF YOU hear the words, “Just maybe I’m crazy,” followed by “shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na” you might think to yourself, “well, ask a silly question, get a silly answer”.
But you would be wrong, because these words and a limited selection of others are thrown together to make up the vibrant, dazzling and highly original song ‘Wild Dances’ that clinched the much-coveted top prize at the Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul this year.
The singer is none other than Ruslana, the now-famous petite Ukrainian singer who wowed audiences around the world with her fusion of ethnic beats, modern noises, and powerful tunes, add to that a troupe of eight dancers dressed like they came straight off the set of Xena the Warrior Princess and you can’t go wrong.
In all seriousness, the song really is great and deserved to win (sorry Sakis, I rooted for you at the time, but in hindsight, Ruslana threw in a few extra words and dancers to go the extra mile). The wild dancing, costume and all round energy made audiences around the world get up and shake their booty, and not in any ordinary fashion either.
So what is all the fuss about, I hear you say? Well it just so happens that the Ukrainian bombshell has come to Cyprus to sing and dance wildly and generally have a good time (“I am an extreme girl,” she tells us).
Ruslana has already toured the TV circuit in Cyprus and performed a lively number at Club Privilege in Limassol last night. She is here for one more performance at Club Velvet in Nicosia tonight along with her Xena-clad entourage. Yesterday, the press got a chance to see her in person in the light of day at the Debenhams department store in Nicosia.
The vivacious energy of Wild Dances is the musical equivalent of Ruslana’s general nature. Just when she walked into the room we were met with huge smiles, random song, jiggling dance and a fair share of howling.
Talking to Ruslana is like trying to capture the attention of a Premiership referee during Sunday football. It’s not easy. Not for wanting of politeness and warmth, but because she happens to have the energy of a Duracell bunny.
In between questions, the delightful Ruslana would waive her arms in the air, shake her long black mane and tell us all about wild dancing. With her new album blasted repeatedly over the speakers, the young singer was prone to recognising a tune or two and breaking out in song.
After a few performances I figured the wolf song was obviously her favourite, assisted in my postulation by the all-embracing howl she released and the two wolf rings on her thumbs.
The young star admits that winning the Eurovision changed a lot of things but her general display of resplendent energy, which I can vouch she has plenty of, makes the changes peripheral to her everyday life.
Asked where she draws her vibrancy from, not just on stage but all the time, she replies a good sleep, a dose of yoghurt in the morning and fish at night makes a good combination for unrelenting liveliness.
Ruslana loves Cyprus and its people. She came here before with friends to ski but ended up spending more time at the beach. Cyprus reminds her of the Crimea region in the Ukraine. The men are handsome here, we are told, but not more so than her husband of course.
The music is very much her own style but has origins in the ethnic beats and rhythms of the mountainous regions of her homeland. “They are bright, strong, fast and full of (surprise, surprise) energy,” she says.
We are told Ruslana has already experienced the food, jet skis and fast cars of the island: “I would like to come back here again and again. Even if I don’t understand the language, I feel it in my heart.”
Regarding her time spent with Greek singing heartbreaker Sakis Rouvas during the Eurovision, Ruslana sighs, adding, “He is a wonderful person, great talent and a star”.
Finally, asked what advice she had for young, energetic and ambitious people, she had this to say: “Be wild, free from stereotypes. Do not be afraid to do something different and don’t stop. Believe in yourself. Listen to no one but your heart. But don’t think always of yourself, give to others. This way you will succeed in life and love.”
You have one last chance to see this pulsating singer and show tonight at Club Velvet in Nicosia. For the many couch potatoes who feel exempt from unnecessary exertions, don’t worry, Ruslana has enough oomph to wild dance for all of us.
