Vladimir Putin’s Playlist revealed: Number 7 might surprise you
Vladimir Putin has won a fourth term in office as President of the Russian Federation, winning 76% of the vote, according to official results. Not shy of the spotlight, both socially and politically, Mr Putin is regularly photographed among his constituents. But have you ever wondered what makes President Putin’s playlist?
Our anonymous source inside the Kremlin exclusively reveals the top ten tracks on Putin’s playlist in order of least to most played.
10. No Scrubs — TLC
Yes, number 10 on the Putin Playlist is TLC’s No Scrubs, the American girl group popular in the 90s with hits “No Scrubs”, “Unpretty” and “Waterfalls” is apparently a Vladimir favourite as he likes to listen to it when dealing with difficult colleagues at work, according to our source. He apparently considers the group to be greatly underrated and also held a minute silence following the death of member Lisa Lopes in 2002.
9. Are you Ready for Love — Elton John
Despite being challenged by John over his views on homosexuality, Vladimir Putin is a fan of the singer’s work, Are you Ready for Love is a particular favourite making it in at number 9 on the Putin Playlist. Our source suggests that a CD player with this track is kept in almost all of Putin’s most used bedrooms at his various residencies as he uses it to get in the mood for love making.
8. Dancing in The Moonlight — Thin Lizzy
Not to be confused with Toploader’s track of the same name lest you incur Putin’s wrath. Dancing in the Moonlight is apparently a popular choice for Putin at various social events he hosts. Entertainment staff are now briefed in advanced that when requested he is referring to the Thin Lizzy track and not the Toploader track, following an incident in 2007 where a Disc Jockey misunderstood the request. The DJ, by the name of Sergei Brenin is currently serving 22 years in a Siberian hard labour camp for the offence.
7. Heaven is a Place on Earth — Belinda Carlisle
80’s power ballads don’t feature heavily in Putin’s top 10, however, one does make it onto the list. Belinda Carlisle’s iconic 1987 track apparently comes from back during Putin’s time as a KGB officer, monitoring dissidents in the former Soviet Union. Tasked with listening to their conversations he would often overhear them listening to BBC Radio on the long band radio. Carlisle’s ballad would later go on to be one of his favourite.
6. Moves Like Jagger — Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera
In 2012, following his re-election to the office of President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin received a gift from President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria, a set of hip-hop dance exercise videos. According to our source, despite never finishing the entire series, Putin did find the Maroon 5 song featured in one of the routines quite catching and since then it has become a mainstay of his playlist, coming in at number 6.
5. Mamma Mia — ABBA
ABBA’s musical inspiring hit comes in number 5 of Putin’s most played. Putin, a huge fan of Meryl Streep, heard the song after reportedly receiving the film of the same name on DVD. Whilst he didn’t consider the film to be Streep’s best role, he did enjoy the soundtrack which of course forms a core part of the Mamma Mia musical.
4. Redbone — Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino, also known as Donald Glover has a lot of fans and is doing very well in music, TV and films despite retiring his rapper alter-ego Childish Gambino, but did he know he can count President Putin among his fans. Number 4 on the Putin playlist is a track from Childish Gambino’s most recent album. Redbone, was a sleeper hit, which means it charted, uncharted and then recharted and peaked. Perhaps Putin hasn’t just been meddling in US elections but also the Billboard rankings?
3. Say You’ll Be There — Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were the biggest thing ever in the 90s, so it is no surprise that they make the Putin playlist. Putin reportedly hates the track “Wannabe” because “[radio] stations ruined it by overplaying it” according to transcribed notes from Putin’s journal provided by our anonymous source. He does however really enjoy the five member girl band’s many other hits.
2. Sweet About Me — Gabriella Cilmi
The unusual number 2 song is Sweet About Me by Gabriella Cilmi, the somewhat little recognised song is there as Putin listens to it whilst organising the crushing of political opponents or dissenting voices, which means it has gained a lot of mileage in recent weeks. Putin reportedly hums or mutters the chorus of this track whilst signing documents giving such orders.
1. Faith — George Michael
And number one in the Putin Playlist is none other than George Michael. The singer who died on Christmas Day of 2016 tops out the top 10 with his world-renown track Faith. George Michael performed the music video in a leather jacket and jeans, along with a guitar. Our source claims that Putin has a replica outfit which matches this look which he wore to a private costume party he hosted in early 2013.
Conclusion
It’s a really eclectic taste in music that makes to show the lighter side of President Putin as he enters his fourth term in office. Be sure to check back as next week we reveal Kim Jong-Un’s top 10 favourite films
