t.A.T.u. - 200 KM/h in the Wrong Lane: The Story Behind the Controversial Debut Album

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip: The Album That Shook the World

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip is the name of the second and first English-language studio album by Russian music duo t.A.T.u., released on December 10, 2002, by Interscope Records. The album was a huge success worldwide, selling over 8 million copies and spawning several hit singles, such as "All the Things She Said", "Not Gonna Get Us" and "How Soon Is Now?". The album also caused a lot of controversy due to its themes of love, sexuality, and rebellion, as well as its provocative image and music videos.

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip

In this article, we will explore the background, production, release, reception, and legacy of t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip, and why it is considered one of the most influential albums of the 2000s.

Background

Before t.A.T.u., Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina had auditioned as members of Neposedy, a group produced by Ivan Shapovalov and his business partner Alexander Voitinskyi. Shapolavov has said the two girls stood out from the rest of those that auditioned; however, 14-year-old Katina was initially the only one chosen for the group. She sang "It Must Have Been Love" and later recorded a demo release of "Yugoslavia" for the "1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia". [1]

However, after Katina's parents resisted their daughter's participation in Neposedy due to conflicts with school work, Shapovalov decided to sign 14-year-old Volkova as well. The duo then started working on their debut album with Shapovalov as their manager and producer. The album was titled 200 Po Vstrechnoy (200 Against The Traffic) and was released in 2001. It was a commercial success in Russia and Eastern Europe, selling over 1 million copies. The album featured songs such as "Ya Soshla S Uma" (I've Lost My Mind), "Nas Ne Dogonyat" (They Won't Catch Us), and "30 Minut" (30 Minutes), which dealt with topics such as love, sex, drugs, and violence.

Shapovalov soon realized that he could make more money by marketing t.A.T.u. to an international audience. He decided to re-record some of their songs in English and sign them to a major label. He also came up with a controversial concept for their image: portraying them as lesbian schoolgirls who were in love with each other. He hired photographers and directors to create provocative photoshoots and music videos that showed Volkova and Katina kissing, cuddling, and wearing school uniforms.

The duo agreed to go along with Shapovalov's idea, claiming that they were not lesbians but bisexuals who loved each other as friends. They also said that they wanted to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices against homosexuality in Russia and around the world.

Production

To produce their first English-language album, Shapovalov hired several producers and writers such as Trevor Horn, Martin Kierszenbaum, Sergio Galoyan, Robert Orton and Alexander Voitinskiy. The album was recorded in studios in Moscow, London, Los Angeles, and New York.

The album consisted of English versions of some of their Russian songs from their previous album, as well as some new songs written specifically for the international market. The album also included a cover version of The Smiths' song "How Soon Is Now?", which was suggested by Horn.

The duo had some difficulties with recording the album due to their lack of English vocabulary and pronunciation skills. They had to rely on Kierszenbaum and Horn to help them with the lyrics and vocal delivery. They also had to deal with some creative differences with Shapovalov, who wanted them to sound more aggressive and edgy.

The album's title was inspired by a phrase that Shapovalov saw on a car sticker while driving in Moscow. He thought it was a fitting metaphor for t.A.T.u.'s rebellious attitude and style.

Release

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip was released on December 10, 2002, by Interscope Records. It was also titled t.A.T.u. in Japan.

The album's lead single was "All the Things She Said", which was released on August 19, 2002. The song became an instant hit worldwide, reaching number one in over 20 countries including Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland

Reception

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip received mixed reviews from music critics. Some praised the album's catchiness, production quality, and originality, while others criticized the duo's vocal abilities, tacky image, and controversial lyrics.

The album was a commercial success, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and becoming one of the best-selling albums of 2002. It debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200, making t.A.T.u. the first Russian act to chart on the US albums chart. It also reached the top-ten in many European countries, such as Denmark, Austria, Finland, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It was certified platinum or gold in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Russia.

The album's singles also performed well on the charts. "All the Things She Said" was the most successful single from the album, reaching number one in over 20 countries and becoming one of the best-selling singles of 2002. It also peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it t.A.T.u.'s only song to chart in the US. The song's music video, which showed Volkova and Katina kissing in school uniforms in front of a fence with homophobic graffiti, caused a lot of controversy and media attention. Some praised the video for its bold statement against homophobia and discrimination, while others condemned it for its exploitation and manipulation of lesbianism.

"Not Gonna Get Us" was the second single from the album and reached number seven in the UK and number 11 in France. It also charted moderately in other countries, but did not match the same success as "All the Things She Said" in the US. The song's music video showed Volkova and Katina escaping from an oppressive regime and driving a truck through a snowy landscape.

"30 Minutes" was released as a promotional single in some countries and reached number 19 in Romania and number 45 in Australia. The song's music video depicted Volkova and Katina as lovers who are involved in a love triangle with a married man.

"How Soon Is Now?" was released as the third and final single from the album outside the US. It was a cover version of The Smiths' song of the same name and reached number seven in Italy and number nine in Spain. The song's music video showed Volkova and Katina performing on a stage with dancers dressed as angels and devils.

Legacy

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip is considered one of the most influential albums of the 2000s and one of the most successful debut albums by a female duo. It introduced t.A.T.u. to a global audience and made them one of the most popular acts of their time. It also sparked a lot of debate and discussion about sexuality, identity, and freedom of expression.

The album influenced many artists who came after t.A.T.u., such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kesha, Lana Del Rey, Marina and The Diamonds, Charli XCX, Halsey, Troye Sivan, Hayley Kiyoko, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and others. Some of these artists have cited t.A.T.u. as an inspiration or have covered their songs.

The album also inspired several musical projects that followed t.A.T.u.'s formula of combining pop music with controversial themes and imagery, such as The Veronicas , Tokio Hotel , La Roux , Serebro , Lena Meyer-Landrut , Little Mix , Fifth Harmony , Blackpink , Twice , Red Velvet , (G)I-DLE , Loona , Itzy , Everglow , aespa , etc.

The album also had an impact on popular culture and society at large. It raised awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues and rights among young people and challenged the stereotypes and prejudices against homosexuality in Russia and other conservative countries. It also inspired many fans to come out as LGBTQ+ or to support their LGBTQ+ friends and family members.

In 2012, a 10th anniversary edition of t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip was released with a new remix of "All The Things She Said" by Fernando Garibay and a previously unreleased track called "A Simple Motion". In 2021, a vinyl edition of t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip was released with new artwork by Logan White.

Trivia

Here are some interesting facts and trivia about t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip:

• The album's title was inspired by a phrase that Shapovalov saw on a car sticker while driving in Moscow. He thought it was a fitting metaphor for t.A.T.u.'s rebellious attitude and style.

• The album's cover art was designed by Russian artist Alexey Utkin, who also created the cover art for their previous album 200 Po Vstrechnoy. The cover shows Volkova and Katina lying on a bed with their legs intertwined, wearing school uniforms and holding each other's hands. The cover was meant to evoke a sense of intimacy and innocence, as well as controversy and scandal.

• The album's booklet contains several photos of Volkova and Katina in various poses and outfits, as well as lyrics and credits. Some of the photos were taken by Shapovalov himself, while others were taken by professional photographers such as Bryan Adams, Terry Richardson, and Ellen von Unwerth.

• The album's original release contained a hidden track called "Malchik Gay (That Black Remix)", which was a remix of their song "Malchik Gay" by DJ That Black. The track was later removed from subsequent releases due to legal issues.

• The album's 10th anniversary edition contained a new remix of "All The Things She Said" by Fernando Garibay, who has worked with artists such as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and U2. The remix gave the song a more dance-pop and electro-pop sound.

• The album's 10th anniversary edition also contained a previously unreleased track called "A Simple Motion", which was recorded during the sessions for their second English-language album Dangerous and Moving. The track was leaked online in 2006, but was officially released for the first time in 2012.

• The album's vinyl edition contained new artwork by Logan White, who has worked with artists such as Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Grimes, and Sky Ferreira. The artwork showed Volkova and Katina in a more mature and glamorous light, wearing black dresses and holding roses.

Conclusion

t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip is a landmark album that marked the debut of t.A.T.u. in the international music scene. The album was a huge success, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and spawning several hit singles, such as "All the Things She Said", "Not Gonna Get Us" and "How Soon Is Now?". The album also caused a lot of controversy due to its themes of love, sexuality, and rebellion, as well as its provocative image and music videos.

The album influenced many artists who came after t.A.T.u., such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kesha, Lana Del Rey, Marina and The Diamonds, Charli XCX, Halsey, Troye Sivan, Hayley Kiyoko, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and others. The album also inspired several musical projects that followed t.A.T.u.'s formula of combining pop music with controversial themes and imagery.

The album also had an impact on popular culture and society at large. It raised awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues and rights among young people and challenged the stereotypes and prejudices against homosexuality in Russia and other conservative countries. It also inspired many fans to come out as LGBTQ+ or to support their LGBTQ+ friends and family members.

In conclusion, t.a.t.u.200 km h in the wrong lane zip is an album that shook the world with its catchy songs, daring lyrics, and bold image. It is an album that deserves to be remembered and celebrated as one of the most influential albums of the 2000s. ca3e7ad8fd