Nikita (song)

Nikita is a song by Elton John from the year 1985. It is a single from the album Ice on Fire was released in October 1985 in Europe and in January 1986 outside Europe. It is a pop- ballad, which was written by John and Bernie Taupin. On the recordings had George Michael as a singer and Nik Kershaw on guitar with. The song reached No. 1 in many countries of the charts, including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden.

Content

The song is supposed to represent the division into East and West on the basis of fictitious character Nikita, who is stationed at the Berlin Wall on the Soviet side as a border guard. John, who was married at the time to a German, thus recorded his experiences in a divided Berlin. The piece is said to have an autobiographical background, Elton John is in love with a young East German border guards in 1985 and have processed the inaccessibility of the young man in this song.

Music Video

The music video was filmed and directed by Ken Russell, Anya Major makes the border soldier Nikita. Russell said in an interview that he did not know that Nikita came from the Russian and even a male first name, is still that have only served on the border men. Furthermore, Elton John have so accepted the script. In later interviews following Elton John confessed that both he and Taupin knew that Nikita is a male first name. He wanted to consciously alluding to his bisexuality. It was shot the video at the West Berlin side of the Berlin Wall, John let fly his own red Bentley for filming.

Cover versions

The song was repeatedly gecovert, better known versions appeared, among others, Bernhard Brink, The Spotnicks, Mel Jersey and Richard Clayderman. In addition, it has been the subject of classical adaptations, including by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.