I Want a Man Like Putin

Dr. Zavlunov visited my Russian Empire, Power, Culture class to lecture on music and nationalism. I had to write a blog on his lecture. As I was researching songs and propaganda, I came upon the song “I Want a Man Like Putin”. I thought I would do some extra research on the song and post it here.

“I Want a Man Like Putin” became a hit in Russia in 2002, when Vladimir Putin was the president of Russia for the first time. It was written by the Russian songwriter Alexander Yellin in response to a $300 bet that he could create a hit song on a very small budget. He wanted to make the song about someone who was already popular, so he chose Putin. Putin liked the song so much, he used it for his public appearances. It glorifies Putin as not only an ideal leader, but an ideal man. In fact, a poll of Russian women found that the majority of them felt that Putin was the sexiest man in the world. Here are some of the lyrics translated into English:

Link to music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk_VszbZa_s

My boyfriend is in trouble once again

Got in a fight, got drunk on something nasty

I've had enough and I chased him away

And now I want a man like Putin

One like Putin, full of strength

One like Putin, who won't be a drunk

One like Putin, who wouldn't hurt me

One like Putin, who won't run away!

I've seen him on the news last night

He was telling us that the world has come to crossroads

With one like him, it's easy to be home and out

And now I want a man like Putin

One like Putin, full of strength

One like Putin, who won't be a drunk

One like Putin, who wouldn't hurt me

One like Putin, who won't run away!