View source for Wild Dances

{{Short description|2004 song by Ruslana}}
{{About|the song|the album|Wild Dances (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Wild Dances
| cover      = Wild_Dances.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Ruslana]]
| album      = [[Wild Dances (album)|Wild Dances]]
| B-side     = Hutsul Girl
| released   = {{start date|2004|05|17|df=yes}}
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| venue      =
| length     = 3:00
| label      = [[EMI Records|EMI]]
| composer     = Ruslana Lyzhychko
| lyricist     =
* [[Oleksandr Ksenofontov]]
* Jamie Maher
* Ruslana Lyzhychko
* Michael Fayne
* Sherena Dugani
 Yuliya Rai
| producer   =
* Oleksandr Ksenofontov
* Ruslana Lyzhychko
| prev_title = [[Kolomyjka (song)|Kolomyjka]]
| prev_year  = 2003
| next_title = [[Dance with the Wolves]]
| next_year  = 2005
| misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|QYqB1eyN8B4|"Wild Dances"}}}}
{{Infobox song contest entry | embed=yes
| song         = {{flagicon|Ukraine}} "Wild Dances"
| image        =
| caption      =
| year         = 2004
| country      = Ukraine
| artist       = Ruslana Lyzchicko
| as           = [[Ruslana (singer)|Ruslana]]
| with         =
| language     =
| languages    = [[English language|English]], [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]
| composer     = Ruslana Lyzhychko
| lyricist     = {{hlist|Ruslana Lyzhychko|[[Oleksandr Ksenofontov]]|Jamie Maher|Michael Fayne|Sherena Dugani}}
| place        = 1st
| points       = 280
| place_semi   = 2nd
| points_semi  = 256
| clip         =
| prev         = Hasta la vista
| prev_link    = Hasta la vista (Oleksandr Ponomariov song)
| next         = Razom nas bahato
| next_link    = Razom nas bahato, nas ne podolaty
}}
{{External music video|header=Official performance video|{{YouTube|VD6of9YQMMc|"Wild Dance" (Final)}}}}
}}

"'''Wild Dances'''" is a song composed and recorded by Ukrainian singer-songwriter [[Ruslana]], with lyrics by herself, [[Oleksandr Ksenofontov]], Jamie Maher, Michael Fayne, Sherena Dugani and Yuliya Rai. It {{esccnty|Ukraine|t=represented Ukraine}} in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2004]], held in [[Istanbul]], resulting in the country's first win at the contest. "Wild Dances" was subsequently released as a single and topped the charts of [[Flanders]] and Greece.

== Background ==
=== Conception ===
"Wild Dances" was composed and recorded by [[Ruslana]], with lyrics by herself, [[Oleksandr Ksenofontov]], Jamie Maher, Michael Fayne, and Sherena Dugani.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diggiloo.net/?2004ua|title=2004 Ukraine|website=The Diggiloo Thrush}}</ref> The work on the song lasted for about three months. Editing and sound engineering was done by Ruslana together with specialists from [[Kyiv]], [[London]], and [[New York City]]. The recording was done together with a guitarist from Cool Before, and an ex-trumpet player from [[Zdob și Zdub]]. The Ukrainian and English lyrics of the song, as well as the chorus and melody, underwent significant changes since the initial stage. She released a Ukrainian-only version called "''Dyki tantsi''" ({{Langx|uk|"Дикі танці"|links=no}}) only in Ukraine and Russia.

=== Selection ===
On 23 January 2004, the [[Suspilne|National Television Company of Ukraine]] (NTU) announced that it had internally selected Ruslana as its performer for the {{escyr|2004||49th edition}} of the [[Eurovision Song Contest]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polishchuk |first=Tetyana |date=23 January 2004 |title=Руслана замахується на «Євробачення-2004» |url=https://day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/cuspilstvo/ruslana-zamahuietsya-na-ievrobachennya-2004 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=day.kyiv.ua |language=uk}}</ref> On 28 January 2004, NTU announced that "Wild Dances" would be the {{esccnty|Ukraine|t=Ukrainian entry}} for Eurovision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=29 January 2004 |title=Ukrainians send Ruslana Lyzhicko to 2004 contest |url=https://esctoday.com/2149/ukrainians_send_ruslana_lyzhicko_to_2004_contest/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=Esctoday}}</ref>

=== Music video ===
The official music video was filmed in the abandoned building of the Ice Palace,{{which|date=September 2021}} which was at once renamed "The Iceberg Palace" by the members of Ruslana's crew because no heating equipment brought with Ruslana could heat the cold air of the huge building to a comfortable level. The building was 'decorated' with sheer concrete and windows without glass. Despite the script of the video-clip, which provided for constant burning fire in large barrels, torches on the stage, wireworks and even a real military flame thrower, only the "Wild Dances" could help people to ultimately warm up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ось вам, бусурманцi, нашi «Дикi танцi» |url=https://umoloda.kyiv.ua/number/148/117/4941 |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=umoloda.kyiv.ua |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Руслана "Дикі танці". Знакові українські кліпи |url=https://afisha.tochka.net/ua/14128-ruslana-diki-tantsi-znakovye-ukrainskie-klipy/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=Tochka.net |language=uk}}</ref> It was first aired on 6 May 2004 on [[MTV Russia]] in the ''[[12 Angry Viewers]]'' show, but was [[Booing|booed]] by the audience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurosong.ru/euro/euro2004/news/events.htm|title=News of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004.|website=www.eurosong.ru}}</ref>

=== Eurovision ===
On 12 May 2004, the semi-final for the Eurovision Song Contest was held at the [[Abdi İpekçi Arena]] in [[Istanbul]] hosted by the [[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation]] (TRT), and broadcast live throughout the continent. As Ukraine had not finished in the top 10 at the {{escyr|2002||previous contest}}, the song had to compete in the semi-final. Ruslana performed "Wild Dances" eleventh on the night, following {{esccnty|Greece|y=2004}}'s "[[Shake It (Sakis Rouvas song)|Shake It]]" by [[Sakis Rouvas]] and preceding {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2004}}'s "What's Happened to Your Love" by [[Linas and Simona]]. The song qualified for the grand final.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2004 - Semi-final|episode-link=Eurovision Song Contest 2004|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=[[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation|TRT]] / [[EBU]]|date=12 May 2004}}</ref> After the grand final it was revealed that it had received in the semi-final 256 points, placing second in a field of twenty-two.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/istanbul-2004/semi-final|title=Official Eurovision Song Contest 2004 semi-final scoreboard|website=[[Eurovision Song Contest]]}}</ref>

Mistakenly, the song title was captioned on screen at the contest as being "Wild Dance", without the S, both in semi final and grand final.

On 14 May 2004, the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest was held. Ruslana performed again "Wild Dances" tenth on the night, following {{esccnty|Albania|y=2004}}'s "[[The Image of You]]" by [[Anjeza Shahini]] and preceding {{esccnty|Croatia|y=2004}}'s "You Are the Only One" by [[Ivan Mikulić]].<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2004 - Grand Final|episode-link=Eurovision Song Contest 2004|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=[[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation|TRT]] / [[EBU]]|date=14 May 2004}}</ref> Her performance is memorable for an energetic performance, which Ruslana gave in a leather outfit, inspired by ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]'' and the [[Ukrainian folklore|ethnic tradition of Ukraine]].

At the close of voting of the grand final, it had received 280 points, winning the contest.<ref name="Ruslana won Eurovision 2004">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3715907.stm|title=Ukraine celebrates Eurovision win|website=[[BBC]]| date=16 May 2004}}</ref> It was the first victory for Ukraine. With a mixture of English and Ukrainian lyrics, "Wild Dances" was also the first Eurovision-winning song to be sung at least partly in a language other than English since the rule-change of 1999, when countries were allowed to sing in a language of their choosing, rather than one of their official languages. With this win, Ukraine became the third [[Post-Soviet states|post-Soviet country]] to win the contest, after {{esccnty|Estonia|y=2001}} and {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2002}}.

=== Aftermath ===
The single was included on the official compilation album called ''The Very Best of Eurovision'' celebrating the 60th anniversary of the contest.<ref name="SBS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/Music/11241/Very-Best-of-Eurovision-Song-Contest-A-60th-Anniversary-CD-Digital-Download-PPSB#overview|title=Very Best of Eurovision Song Contest – A 60th Anniversary (CD / Digital Download Available NOW)|date=1 May 2015|publisher=SBS.au|access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>

As the winning broadcaster, the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) gave NTU the responsibility to host the {{escyr|2005||following edition}} of the Eurovision Song Contest. The grand final held on 21 May 2005, opened with Ruslana performing a medley of "Wild Dances" and "Heart on Fire" accompanied by the Zhyttia ballet and the Ukrainian drums ensemble ARS Nova. She also performed her latest single "[[The Same Star]]" in the interval act and presented the trophy to the winner.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2005 grand final|episode-link=Eurovision Song Contest 2005|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=[[Suspilne|NTU]] / [[EBU]]|date=21 May 2005}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Chart (2004–2005)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Austria|43|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Wallonia|25|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}} 
|-
{{single chart|CIS|38|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|songid=951|access-date=2 July 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Croatia ([[Croatian Radiotelevision|HRT]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/lista.html|title=HR Top 20 Lista|publisher=[[Croatian Radiotelevision]]|access-date=7 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616184438/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|archive-date=16 June 2004}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
{{single chart|Finland|20|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|40|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|songid=6147|access-date=13 February 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Greece ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |title=Top 50 Singles: Εβδομάδα 11–17/7 |date=26 June 2004 |access-date=29 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040717032705/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |archive-date=17 July 2004}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|Ireland3|44|artist=Ruslana|access-date=29 January 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|25|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|30|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|access-date=21 July 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10130.html|title=Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 31, saptamina 2.08 – 8.08, 2004|publisher=[[Romanian Top 100]]|language=ro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050221213336/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10130.html|archive-date=21 February 2005|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|44
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|8|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|24|artist=Ruslana|song=Wild Dances|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Turkey ([[Turkish Singles Chart]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hayatadair.info/number-one-top-20/ |work=Number One Top 20 |access-date=20 May 2004 |title=Digital Singles Charts – Turkey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701235932/http://www.hayatadair.info/number-one-top-20/ |archive-date=1 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|19
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|47|artist=Ruslana|artistid=1143|access-date=21 July 2020|rowheader=true}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Chart (2004)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2004&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2004|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
!scope="row"| Sweden (Hitlistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2004&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar – År 2004|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|43
|}
{{col-end}}

=== Sales and certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|relyear=2004|certyear=2004|title=Wild Dances|artist=Ruslana|type=single|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|title=Wild Dances|artist=Ruslana|type=single|award=Gold|certref=<ref name="auto"/>|nosales=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Romania|certref=<ref name="auto">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YgaZDwAAQBAJ&q=disco+d%27oro&pg=PT397|title=Good evening europe|isbn=9788831619981|last1=Lombardini|first1=Emanuele|date=17 May 2019|publisher=Youcanprint }}</ref>|award=Gold|nosales=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true}}

==Release history==
{{Expand list|date=May 2009}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Region
! Date
! Format
|-
| Ukraine
| 17 May 2004
| rowspan=17|CD single
|-
| Germany
| rowspan=16|24 May 2004
|-
| Greece
|-
| Netherlands
|-
| Finland
|-
| Belgium
|-
| Sweden
|-
| Latvia
|-
| Lithuania
|-
| Estonia
|-
| Poland
|-
| Israel
|-
| Turkey
|-
| Czech Republic
|-
| Slovakia
|-
| Slovenia
|-
| United Kingdom
|-
| United States
| 29 April 2008
| Digital download
|}

== Legacy ==
The song was bought with exclusive [[copyright]] in Vietnam by Vietnamese singer-songwriter [[Hồ Quỳnh Hương]]. She has an own [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] version of the song, entitled "Vũ điệu hoang dã".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giaidieuxanh.com.vn/nhacviet/2006/03/549023/ |title=VietNamNet – Sau "đạo giai điệu" lại đến "đạo hoà âm" |access-date=13 December 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416110729/http://www.giaidieuxanh.com.vn/nhacviet/2006/03/549023/ |archive-date=16 April 2009 }}</ref>

=== In other media===
The song is used in the soundtrack of the 2008 video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gta4.net/music/|title=GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - Music: Soundtrack & Radio|website=www.gta4.net}}</ref> American gymnast and 2011 world champion [[Jordyn Wieber]] has revealed that she uses this song as her floor exercise music.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloggs |first=Wiwi |url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2011/10/12/ruslanas-wild-dances-inspires-u-s-gymnast-jordyn-wieber/12127 |title=Ruslana's "Wild Dances" Inspires U.S. Gymnast Jordyn Wieber |publisher=WiwiBloggs.Com |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=15 March 2012 |archive-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426034958/https://wiwibloggs.com/2011/10/12/ruslanas-wild-dances-inspires-u-s-gymnast-jordyn-wieber/12127/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikinews|Eurovision '04 winner Ruslana discusses her paths as singer, spokesmodel, stateswoman and source of inspiration}}
* {{Discogs master|110915|Wild Dances|type=single}}
*[http://entertainment.skynet.be/index.html?l1=entertainment&l2=ultratop&l3=yearview&fetchlist=grab&type=100_singles&yr=2004 Belgium 2004 year end chart.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311041950/http://entertainment.skynet.be/index.html?l1=entertainment&l2=ultratop&l3=yearview&fetchlist=grab&type=100_singles&yr=2004 |date=11 March 2007 }}
*[http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Ruslana&titel=Wild+Dances&cat=s Peak positions of Wild Dances]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box|
 before = "[[Everyway That I Can]]" by [[Sertab Erener]]|
 title = [[Eurovision Song Contest winners]]|
 after = "[[My Number One]]" by [[Helena Paparizou]]|
 years = {{escyr|2004}}|
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Ruslana}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2004}}
{{Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{List of Eurovision Song Contest winners}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ruslana songs]]
[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:2004 songs]]
[[Category:EMI Records singles]]
[[Category:English-language Ukrainian songs]]
[[Category:Eurovision Song Contest-winning songs]]
[[Category:Eurovision songs of 2004]]
[[Category:Eurovision songs of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Greece]]
[[Category:Songs written by Oleksandr Ksenofontov]]
[[Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles]]