The song became part of De Trektocht, the TV Drenthe program in which reporters traveled across the province. When waking up in a finish and start place, the number was invariably heard. Ukrainians are now singing the chorus of ‘Good morning, tomorrow’ flawlessly on TikTok, while they walk around at home with candles and lamps on their heads when the power is out due to Russian attacks on the infrastructure. Especially in recent weeks, countless videos with the Flemish song have been published.
The words have a completely different meaning in Ukraine: ‘good’ means something like ‘fucking mess’ or ‘cunt’, a swear word that is used to express displeasure. “So when the lights go out: good morning,” a Ukrainian woman explains to reporter Kysia Hekster in Kiev.
“It’s funny that good morning there in Ukraine means something completely different. Who would have ever thought that possible?”, says Castel.
The viral video is front page news for many Belgian media. Broadcaster VRT calls it “a musical middle finger to Russia”, because it helps Ukrainians put the misery into perspective now that it is getting colder in Ukraine and Russia is attacking crucial infrastructure.
“My girlfriend sings this song every day,” a Ukrainian man told NOS. “If we wake up and there’s no power, no water, and we can’t shower, we joke about it and try to stay positive.”
Castel is happy that her song encourages Ukrainians. “My husband said: I hope Putin can also laugh at the films.”
The number Good morning, morning was originally a song by Nicole and Hugo. The duo was supposed to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971, but when Nicole got jaundice, that didn’t happen. They were replaced by Lily Castel and Jacques Raymond, who eventually finished in fourteenth place. Nevertheless, the song became a big hit in Flanders. Nicole Josy passed away last month after an accidental fall.