t.A.T.u. are a Russian music duo that consists of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. The singers were part of children's musical group Neposedy before being managed by producer and director Ivan Shapovalov and signing with Russian record label Neformat. t.A.T.u.'s debut album 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001) was a commercial success in Eastern Europe, and that resulted in the duo signing with Interscope Records to release its English-language counterpart, 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002). The album was certified platinum by the IFPI for one million copies sold in Europe and became the first album by a foreign group to reach number one in Japan. It was also certified gold in the United States and included the international hits "All the Things She Said" and "Not Gonna Get Us". The duo represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Ne ver', ne boysia", finishing third.
200 km/h in the Wrong Lane is the second and first English-language studio album by Russian music duo t.A.T.u., released on 10 December 2002, by Interscope Records. It is the duo's first studio album to be associated with Interscope after signing to Universal, the label they signed to in 1998. Due to the duo's lack of English vocabulary, the album was produced and written by producers such as Trevor Horn, Martin Kierszenbaum, Sergio Galoyan, Robert Orton and Ivan Shapovalov, who was placed as the duo's manager and executive producer. 200 km/h lyrically explores themes such as teenage rebellion, love, sexuality, sadness, independence and social rebellion.
"All About Us" is a song by Russian musical duo t.A.T.u., taken as a single from the group's second English language studio album, Dangerous and Moving (2005). The song was also featured on the group's second Russian studio album Lyudi Invalidy. The song was written by Josh Alexander, Billy Steinberg, and twin sisters Jessica Origliasso and Lisa Origliasso of the Veronicas. The song was produced by Martin Kierszenbaum and Robert Orton. The song was released as the album's lead single in September 2005 by Universal Music Russia and Interscope.
Lyudi Invalidy is the second Russian-language studio album by t.A.T.u., released on 21 October 2005 in Russia. It is the Russian-language equivalent of the English-language Dangerous and Moving, though both albums contain a mix of Russian and English tracks. The album was later released in some Eastern European countries, Germany and Mexico. The album was certified Platinum in Russia by NFPF. As of 2021, the album is available for streaming only in some countries.
"Not Gonna Get Us" is a song by the Russian music duo t.A.T.u. for their first English-language album, 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002). Interscope Records released it on 21 April 2003 as the second single from the album. It was originally released as "Nas Ne Dogonyat" on t.A.T.u.'s debut album, 200 По Встречной (2001). The song was written by Sergio Galoyan, Trevor Horn, Elena Kiper and Valery Polienko, while production was handled by Horn. "Not Gonna Get Us" is a Eurodance-inspired song, and lyrically it talks about the group running away from people as they don't understand their love towards one another. The song was included on the duo's compilation album The Best (2006).
"All the Things She Said" is a song recorded by Russian music duo t.A.T.u. for their second, and first English-language, studio album 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002), and released as the lead single from the album in Europe on 9 September 2002 by Universal. It was written by Sergio Galoyan, Trevor Horn, Martin Kierszenbaum, Valery Polienko and Elena Kiper, while production was by Horn. "All the Things She Said" is a translated and reworked version of their 2000 song "Ya Soshla s Uma", included on their debut album 200 Po Vstrechnoy (2001). It was later included on their compilation albums t.A.T.u. Remixes (2003) and The Best (2006). Although its original story was based on a dream Kiper had at a dentist appointment, manager Ivan Shapovalov evoked the theme of lesbianism in both this and the English-language version. The lyrics describe two girls developing feelings for each other.
Ivan Nikolayevich Shapovalov is a musical producer based in Moscow, Russia. He is best known for being the founder and former executive producer/manager for t.A.T.u.
"Friend or Foe" is a song by Russian recording duo t.A.T.u., taken from the group's second English language studio album Dangerous and Moving (2005). The song was written by Dave Stewart and Martin Kierszenbaum, while production was handled by Kierszenbaum and Robert Orton. The song was released by Interscope in 2005 as the album's second single. Musically, the song is a pop rock and electropop inspired song, with dance music influences. The song features ambiguous lyrics; it is unclear who exactly the words are directed at.
"Gomenasai" is a song by Russian recording duo t.A.T.u., taken from their second English language studio album Dangerous and Moving (2005). The song was written by Martin Kierszenbaum, and production was handled by Kierszenbaum and Robert Orton. The song was released in May 2006 as the album's third single by Interscope. The song was not initially supposed to be a single from the studio album as t.A.T.u. did not approve; however Interscope ignored the band's wishes and went forward with the single anyway. Due to conflicts with the label, "Gomenasai" was t.A.T.u's last single with Interscope.
"Lyudi Invalidy" is a promotional single from t.A.T.u.'s second Russian studio album of the same name. It was released only in Russia to promote the Russian release of the album. The single did not receive much attention worldwide, nor success on the Russian Airplay Charts, though a music video was filmed.
Russian duo t.A.T.u. have released six studio albums, one compilation album, two remix albums, eighteen singles, and three promotional singles. t.A.t.u. debuted in 2000 with the single "Ya Soshla S Uma" from their debut album 200 Po Vstrechnoy, released in 2001 by Universal Music Russia. The album reached number one in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. After selling 850,000 copies in Russia, it was certified platinum by the IFPI for more than one million copies in Europe, the first time for an Eastern European act. The album's English-language counterpart, 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane, was released worldwide through Interscope Records in 2002. It reached number thirteen on the US Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. In Japan, the album reached number one, the first time for a foreign group, and sold 1.8 million copies. It was also certified platinum by the IFPI for more than one million copies sold in Europe. 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane was promoted with the duo's first international single "All the Things She Said", which topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom while peaking at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100. The album produced three more singles—"Not Gonna Get Us", "30 Minutes", and "How Soon Is Now?"—, with the former becoming t.A.T.u.'s second top 10 single in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Ultimately, 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane became the twelfth best-selling album of 2003, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide. A remix album titled Remixes was released in 2003 and certified gold in Russia.
"Loves Me Not" was a planned fourth single for the album Dangerous and Moving by t.A.T.u. However, due to the group leaving Universal Records, the song's release was postponed, then later cancelled in all countries, except for a limited release in France. Even though it was cancelled, it is available on some countries' iTunes Music Store with only the original song. Unlike most of the duo's songs, "Loves me Not" and "All About Us" exist exclusively in English; there is no Russian-language version of either song, and English versions were included on the Russian version of the album. A video of the group performing the song at "Glam As You" in Paris was aired on a few television stations worldwide. Music and lyrics by Andy Kubiszewski and Ed Buller. Cover photo taken by Bryan Adams.
Sergey Galoyan is an ASCAP/PRS Award–winning songwriter/producer and DJ, born in Moscow. He is more commonly known as Sergio Galoyan and is of Armenian descent.
"30 Minutes" is a song by Russian recording duo t.A.T.u., taken from their debut English language studio album 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002). It was released in 2001 in Russian as 30 Minut from the album 200 Po Vstrechnoy. It was written by Sergio Galoyan, Martin Kierszenbaum, Ivan Shapovalov and Valeriy Polienko, while production was handled by Kierzszenbaum and Robert Orton. The song was served as the album's third single off the studio by Interscope Records and Universal Music Russia in June 2003.
Waste Management is the third and final English language studio album by Russian recording group t.A.T.u. released in Russia on 15 December 2009, by their own independent record label T.A. Music. Unlike their previous English studio album, it is the group's first studio album not released by Interscope Records due to their departure from the label in 2006. The album was no longer handled by their primary producers and songwriters, which included Martin Kierszenbaum and Trevor Horn. Instead, it was produced by producers including Billy Steinberg, Josh Alexander, Sergio Galoyan and Boris Renski, who served as their executive producer.
"How Soon Is Now?" is a song by English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Originally a B-side of the 1984 single "William, It Was Really Nothing", "How Soon Is Now?" was subsequently featured on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow and on US, Canadian, Australian, and Warner UK editions of Meat Is Murder. Belatedly released as a single in the UK in 1985, it reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. When re-released in 1992, it reached No. 16.
Elena Sergeevna Katina, better known as Lena Katina, is a Russian musician who gained fame as one half of the pop/electronica duo t.A.T.u. She started her career at the age of eight, joining the Russian children's act Avenue, soon after that joining Neposedy. In 1999, producer Ivan Shapovalov chose Katina and Julia Volkova for his project t.A.T.u. The duo would later become Russia's most successful pop music act. The group produced several hits, including "All the Things She Said", "Not Gonna Get Us", and "All About Us". Their first single, "All the Things She Said", peaked at No. 1 in nineteen countries, including the UK, Russia, and Australia.
200 Po Vstrechnoy is the debut studio album by Russian duo t.A.T.u. It was released by Neformat Records and Universal Music Russia on 21 May 2001 in Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, and was re-released by Universal Music Russia worldwide on 23 June 2003. A re-released version featured new tracks and a new artwork, which was released on 15 February 2002. Created by manager and producer Ivan Shapovalov after the success of members Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina in the band Neposedy, the group managed to sign a deal with Universal Music Russia to produce their first album. It was recorded between 1999 and 2000, and was produced and co-composed by Shapovalov.
Yulia Olegovna Volkova, better known by the alternative spelling of Julia, is a Russian singer best known for being a member of the Russian girl group t.A.T.u., along with Lena Katina. Formed in Moscow, Russia by Ivan Shapovalov in March 1999, the group signed a record deal with Universal Music Russia, and eventually Universal's sub-label Interscope Records in 2001.
Leonid Mikhailovich Vokuyev is a Commissioner For Human Rights of the Komi Republic until 26 March 2007. In November 2006, he filed a lawsuit against the Russian pop duo t.A.T.u., stating that the title of their second studio album Lyudi Invalidy was insulting to handicapped people.
