News Digest

From Stalin to Daft Punk: Russian Red Army Choir keeps those hits coming

Russia’s Red Army Choir, famous for its patriotic marching songs, is now heading in one direction - the charts. Under the control of Russia’s Interior Ministry, they have covered Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Sex Bomb by Tom Jones, and the Beatles’ Hey Jude. It’s a far cry from the choir founded by Joseph Stalin in 1939 which was meant to rouse the spirits of Red Army troops. Songs are, however, still performed in full military dress uniform, complete with medals, led by charismatic conductor, Major General Viktor Eliseev.

I really want people who are watching and listening to us to understand that we are doing this only for them. It’s personally for them, not for the government, not for their bosses, but personally for everyone who is in the hall, or watching us on television. We want to touch every heart.

Lead vocalist Alexei Dmitriev,

They’ve recorded a music video, complete with smoke machine, theatrical lighting and choreographed moves but the Major General is keen to stress that, while some of their choices may be lighter, the choir retains a serious purpose. He said: “We perform for our soldiers, their commanders, and their families, to reinforce the feeling that the Motherland really needs them, that we are proud of them, that they are doing their patriotic duty.” The choir performed Get Lucky at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics, in front of an audience that included Vladimir Putin - the fact they were allowed to shows he approves of them.