It looks like one of Doug's predictions from last weeks is close to be proved wrong: "no Romanian singer, rapper, or pop performer will achieve broad European success". How do I know that?
Well, some of you may be aware of the fact that there's this band called O-Zone (well they're technically from Basarabia - northern Romanian-speaking region that used to belong to Romania). They had some hits that were quite popular in Romania last years especially among teenagers and people enjoying commercial tunes. Apparently the manager of those guys got the marketing strategy just right as the band right now is present basically in the top charts all across Europe. Italy, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, France. On top of that, today I even heard one of their songs on a Norwegian radio station. And this means they've made it in the mainstream of the commercial pop music across Europe.
Of course, you may argue what a friend of mine told me -- man, they're junk! So what? So is the food at McDonalds considered to be - still they have a sound business model. It's just a matter of combining taste (on the consumer side), inspiration (on the band) and the right strategy mix (on the managers' side). And all the evidences indicate that it's working so far, eh?
Yep. Check this out: http://www.mmedia.is/stjarna/Idiot.wmv
My wife wants their stuff and I don't know where to get it in the US. You'd think they'd at least be on ITMS.
Try http://www.dol.ro or http://www.emania.ro or one of the other Romanian webshops. I hope at least one of these ships to the States. If all else fails install DC++ and connect to the enigma.evolva.ro hub.
1) They're Moldovan, not Romanian. 2) "Broad European success" means, I would say, something more than one-hit wonderdom. To give a very specific example: "Touch My Bum" by Romania's own Cheeky Girls made the top 10 in several European countries for a few weeks in 2002, and briefly claimed the #1 spot in Britain; the Cheeky Girls appeared live on Britain's BBC New Year's Eve special. Was that broad European success? I'd say not. The Cheeky girls seem to rapidly en route to oblivion -- their first album crashed, their record label went into receivership, and they've been reduced to opening Woolworths stores and making appearances on reality TV shows. Obviously, this is a slightly subjective definition. We can try to tighten it if you like. Meanwhile, I'd say that while O-Zone seems to have made a decent start, they've still got a long way to go. Doug M.
Moldovan is Romanian in spite of the present border configurations - it's as if you said Texas not USA. And the Cheeky Girls was not a story per se, they were present in the UK charts only, and that was all. Besides, those guys are singing in Romanian - the girls didnot. Those guys have a story starting back last year when presumably some other Romanian band stole their song and had it released in Italy -- huge success before Christmas over there and it still is - the two bands still argue on legal aspects. Those are some details of course for a sunny Saturday afternoon, IMO the path to the European music charts doesn't go through Eurovision - in Romania at least there is a lot of underground interests that will never permit value creation and promoting it as such. In Norway for example the contest is a lot more meaningful in this respect. I only found it interesting that a Romanian song has been preferred all over Europe for more than 6 months now. That means even in Scandinavia some of the most important pop trendsetters in Europe. That also means ringtones and concerts, etc. And of course I wouldn't call it "broad European success", just a certain degree of popularity. :)
<i>Moldovan is Romanian in spite of the present border configurations - it's as if you said Texas not USA. </i> I'm sorry to say that I can't agree. Moldova was part of Romania for only 22 years in the last century. It won't /be/ part of Romania for at least another decade, and probably longer. Roughly a third of Moldova's population is ethnically non-Romanian. And of the other two thirds, it's really not clear how many want to join up with Romania again. It's possible that a majority of Moldovans (most of the non-Romanians plus some portion of the Romanians) don't want it. Even if it's not a majority, it's a very large minority. Then there's the huge gap in wealth, the drift apart in politics and culture, the whole trans-Dneistrian mess... So it's possible that Moldova will *never* again be part of Romania. Let me add that I think the theft of Bessarabia by the USSR, the redrawing of the borders, the deportation of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Romanians, the deliberate introduction of hundreds of thousands of non-Romanians, and the aggressive Russification programs under Soviet rule -- all these things constitute a great historical tragedy. That said... it's just not realistic to say that "Moldova is part of Romania". That has a nice romantic sound, but it's just not true. It hasn't been for a long time, it isn't now, and it won't be any time soon. Doug M. -- who has been to Moldova
I didnot argue that -- I never said that "Moldova is part of Romania". My point is simply that in spite of the border configuration Moldovan means Romanian to me and I don't think I am wrong to say that it is similar to most of the Romanians - it is just as simple as that. The background of it - the history that goes way back longer than one or two centuries ago is a different story, well known by some and ignored by others; however, this doesn't stop me being happy whenever I hear a Romanian song all over Europe as being quite popular. Though I don't even like that particular song. :)
Well, I have less trouble with "Moldovan means Romanian" -- although even here, I'd argue that it's not always so simple. If the band members were all Slavophone Moldovans, would you feel the same way? The history -- yah, I know. Michael the Brave, Stephen the Great, Basarab. The Russians shamelessly stealing the Danube counties in 1878. Avars, Magyars, Ottomans, Gagauz, Phanariots. But after living in Serbia for a while, I've started to sharply discount any history older than a century or so. Not because it doesn't matter, but because it almost always gets used as a stick for one group to beat another. So, in Serbia I got very, very tired of hearing about the medieval Serbian empire that included half of the Balkans, and the heroic-tragic defeat at Kosovo. In Romania I've gotten almost as tired of hearing about Daco-Roman "continuity" in Transylvania. No offense intended. I do try to get a basic grounding in the history. But the ancient history of Moldova -- going back beyond the last century or two -- while very interesting, is IMO of limited use in trying to figure out what the country is today and who its people are. Doug M.
I think you've turned it into a historical argument and it's really not. But I can tell you one thing: it feels great hearing a Romanian song over a Norwegian radio station and listening to the dj hardly getting the Romanian title and calling it the hit of the summer. I just heard him and it made my day. :) And btw, the dj called O-Zone Romanians :))
The british success for "Dragostea Dim Tei" is quite an intrigue. Almost totally ignored by UK Radio (especially BBC Radio 1 who would pinch it's nose at the thought of playing such tripe), it still managed to chart at 5 probably through the couple of showings the video had on Sat morning kids TV and folk who'd heard it in bars and clubs in continental Europe. Although light years from my own indi-pop/rock tastes, I am fascinated that a Romanian language song should sell here (surely the first ever such song in the UK charts...?). The vid is cheap and nasty, they're wearing white jeans with braces (f'crissakes!), and they're not even pretty (the cutest one's about 27). There is an niavety that is appealing however, and it sounds so EURO! If the management is as sharp as it appears, they'll probably do well in continental Europe, but have zero prospects in the UK. The future boy band riches here belong to the hugely professional home grown kids like McFly who not only have the Brit zeitgeist on the bullet, are aesthetically beauftiful and even have the cred of writing their own songs and playing their own instruments. Have probably zero prospects in Moldavia.
Sorry, Moldovia. Should slow down..
For what it is worth, Dragoste Dim Tei is now #12 on the top 40 list of the local dance station (KNHC) here in Seattle, WA USA. :)
i think that the o-zone song is great, it is definatly one of this years biggest summer songs,it seems that every yerar, a foreign band or singer cracks it into the mainstream of euro pop, weve had effel 65 with the catchy song 'blue da bo de dab o dai' and weve also had that annoying but catchysong 'the ketchup song, so its not surprising it is dong so well here in england, so good for them, i love the song and i love them!!!!!
Hi everyone! I was born in the Republic of Moldova. And I wonder what exactly you trying to discuss here? The history or the band(O-zone)? What about the country(Moldova) I can say that in spite that we(Moldavians) have the same language, history(until USSR intervention), and culture we(Moldavians) after 80 years of leaving in USSR are different to Romanians from Romania. So please no similarities to be brought out to Romanians. What about the band well: there are much nicer bands from Moldova like Zdob si Zdub(as well having great success in Europe).
...and #1 in Finland.
Alexander, whether you like it or not, the song's lyrics (not that they are something you will remember next summer) are in Romanian. So there's a similarity straight away! And yes, the topic seems to be "Dragostea din Tei" and O-Zone, so this is probably why the people here express their opinion on this subject, and not the history of Moldova (or Moldavia if you prefer). I personally like the song, and hope it continues to do well in the charts in Europe. I live in UK, and unfortunately Dragostea din Tei hasn't made it through to the UK radio stations - however it has made it into the charts (up to no.3 week 19/06/04 - currently no.8). So, yes, well done to O-Zone, and let's hope they can sustain the challenge of pop music in Europe. Good, pleasing to the ears, easy to hum along. Also, probably easy to forget next year.
oops, pressed the wrong reply before, it was meant to be for: Re: Moldova
I am romanian living in Ireland. Don't care really where they came from, I am very proud to her them singing romanian language. Last night was played 2 times in the night club I go. Good luck to them.
O-zone is not in Alabama yet:), but some Polish students came this summer from Poland and they keep singing and asking me what does it mean "Dragostea din tei" and "nu ma nu ma iei".Because I'm Romanian.I left from Romania last year when this song was very popular in Romania.I left my husband there ="nu ma nu ma iei", but after one month he was here="dragostea din tei".
Alexender, "So please no similarities to be brought out to Romanians" http://www.jokaroo.com/news/ozonedragosteadintei.htm let's see what they have to say about this: i quote from above link RFE/RL asked O-Zone's front man whether the band considers itself Romanian or Moldovan. Moldova was part of Romania until World War II, and 65 percent of its population of 4.5 million is Romanian. "We come from [the Republic of] Moldova, from [the former Romanian region of] Basarabia, but we launched our careers in Romania, and we wrote our songs for the Romanian market," Toderas said. "Anyway, [Moldova and Romania] are together, you know -- this is one Romania, the Greater Romania. We are together -- we are Moldovans who shot to fame in Romania and then in Europe."
Summer of 2004 I paid $35 (about 20euro or 25US) to go to a party-concert. Me and my wife had to be there to see live Haiducii vs Gabi Ponte singing Dragostea din Tei an excelent melody, that made the top 5 all over the World .... who live in the 21 st century .... Texas is still listening country music... That BITCH Gabi Ponte thinks she's so cool, but she can't even speak english she was talking in italian and then a translator for Z103.5FM was translating in english .... After 1 song in russian , one in romanian and one in italian all my friends were confused where the hell am I coming from ... Than I heard the little story about O-zone the moldavian group who sings in Romanian language .... anyway we like multiculturalism in Canada... Today I had a "heavy-duty" day (Friday) at 11PM I drove home when i heard for the 2-nd time the new song and I'm not sure what it's called: Ochii tai Despre tine ??? Anyway .... I'm proud to be an O-Zone fan!
I'm a Dj and everyday I pray that "Dragostea din tei" never makes it to america. If it makes it to america radio and TV will play it day and night, people will grow to hate it. Then it will appear in low budjet hollywood films, soap opera's and tv comercials. The grand finale is when "Dragostea din tei" is heard in supermarkets and McDonald's. That it no way to end the career of a good song. But that's what american radio does, Take The Macarena for example, The song was allready five years old. and in less than a year (Thanks to american radio) It was uncool to play that song. But then you take a song like "Cecilia" the old simon and garfunkel tune. Suggs (Ex-lead singer of Madness) did a remake of that song back in 96 or 97. up to this day I play that song and recieve the exact same reaction as when the song was first released, and becuase it has a "reggeaton" sound, that gives it a more recent sound. I can go on about the European hits that never made it to america that I can still play. But main point is, It would be a pitty if "Dragostea din tei" became the next "Macarena".
Even in America there are sites on the internet with the son Dragostea din tei on them. It is crazy........................
Even in America there are sites on the internet with the song Dragostea din tei on them. It is crazy........................
It is getting close. I mean you can already get it online. But I would be somewhat surprised if it made it here (America)
I think the video is pretty funny but not nearly as funny as one that I saw on the internet
The video of the guy lip-syncing the words to the O-Zone song while dancing (which is a hoot to watch), was the first time I heard this group. I don't have to understand Romanian to appreciate the fact they sing a song with a catchy tune that has a nice beat to it. As a night shift worker at a hospital in Florida in the US, this song is great to listen to as a means to stay alert. I hope the band is successful and continues to produce songs as creative as this one. I am already looking to purchase their album as are others I know- isn't that the mark of a sucessful group??
OZONE IS AWSOME DONT DISS THEM THEYRE GOOD AND YOU FATASS LAZY AMERICANS SIT ON UR BUTT ALLDAY
ok well if u dink that it getting to america is amazing its even made it 2 da tiny country of New Zealand !its everywher and bi da way does ne 1 no y they broke up?
this song is so freaking awesome, me and my friends dance to this song all the time. It is such a fun song! Not only has it hit Europe with popularity, here in the States (USA) we love this awesome hit.
Anybody heard the "Russian Lullaby".....thats also a preatty cool song.
if someone of you can colaborate to make a concert with romanian bands in USA send me an e-mail nolimit@funs.co.uk