How a Russian pop melody became a global Eurodance phenomenon in the year 2000
In short: In May 2000, the German group ATC released a debut single that would define the era. By adapting the melody of a Russian hit, they created a chart-topping sensation. From drifting sports cars in Berlin tunnels to international airplay, discover the mechanics behind this infectious, multi-national dance floor staple.
The song Around the World (La La La La La) originated as a creative adaptation of Pesenka, a hit by the Russian group Ruki Vverh!. Produced by Alex Christensen, the track utilized the original melody while introducing new English lyrics and a signature call-and-response refrain. Released on 22 May 2000 in Germany, the single quickly became the most successful work for ATC, an abbreviation for A Touch of Class. Its reach was vast, securing the number one spot on singles charts in Germany, Austria, Poland, Romania, and Switzerland.
The song's visual identity was cemented by a music video filmed in 1999, which featured a distinctive yellow Melkus RS 1000 sports car. This vehicle, marked with a custom ATC license plate, was depicted both as a full-sized car and a miniature slot car, drifting through a pedestrian tunnel near the Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin. Intercut with these sequences were scenes of group members Sarah Egglestone and Tracey Elizabeth Packham performing on a stage surrounded by water, creating a surreal, aquatic aesthetic that complemented the track's high-energy production.
While the song dominated European charts, its trajectory in other markets varied significantly. It reached the top 10 in countries including Belgium, Canada, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the track was serviced to radio on 16 January 2001, eventually peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The United Kingdom presented a different challenge; the initial November 2000 release failed to chart, though a remixed version found success in August 2002, reaching number 15. The song's legacy persisted into 2019, when Dutch DJ R3hab released a new cover version, ensuring the melody remained a fixture in modern dance music culture.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Around the World (La La La La La)
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