Ruleta Rusa
Ruleta Rusa (Russian Roulette) is the third studio album by Spanish singer-songwriter Joaquín Sabina, released in 1984 by CBS. It marks a clear shift from his earlier singer-songwriter style toward rock, with more electric guitars and hard drums.
The album’s release was delayed after Sabina and producer Jorge Álvarez clashed over the new rock direction; Álvarez even broke the master tape in disbelief. Sabina eventually convinced him to keep some songs, and the album finally came out in 1984.
Musically, Ruleta Rusa moves Sabina toward rock—a risky change that some critics saw as a break with his past. The lyrics stay personal and everyday, but the songs have catchier refrains. The opening track, "Ocupen su localidad," illustrates the shift.
The first single was "Pisa el acelerador," about living life to the limit. The second single, "Eh, Sabina!!!," has him saying he won’t heed anyone who tells him to be careful with his lifestyle. The third single was "Telespañolito," about Spanish TV and entertainment in the 1980s. The B-side of that single, "Juana la loca," is one of the album’s most memorable tracks, about a Madrid office worker who works as a drag queen at night.
The album also includes a love song, "Caballo de cartón," about a relationship threatened by routine.
Ruleta Rusa sits in Sabina’s discography as the third studio album, following La mandrágora (1981) and preceding Juez y parte (1985).
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:23 (CET).