Legendary Soviet Music Hits

INTRO to Soviet/ Russian Music

Soviet music is a unique, striking, and incredibly diverse phenomenon. To this day, Soviet classics are beloved tunes both in Russia and abroad. In fact, these songs have been translated to Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Arabic and German languages, to name a few. People in India, Israel, Europe, Japan and Africa love them so much that they often tend to claim them as their own.

While very, very few of these songs, if any, are known in the USA, and generally in the West, I encourage everyone who has an interest in the Russian culture, and/or, who wants to understand the world beyond a very narrow tunnel vision they’ve been fed through school, government and media, to explore the universe of Russian and Soviet songs. You can learn a lot about someone’s culture, dreams and realities from their songs. One of the striking features of the Soviet/Russian songs was their inclusiveness. Quite often they were written and/or performed by non-Russians – representatives of one of the many different nationalities residing in the Soviet Union.

Granted, Soviet/Russian music is too huge and rich of a phenomenon to fit on one blog page. I’ll do my best to have a good representation of some beloved hits here. However, please keep in mind that I’m barely scratching the surface. I’ll be adding new songs as I unearth them on Youtube! Return to this page regularly for more gems. Enjoy!

Sport – Moscow Summer Olympics 1980

The Whole Country Is Our Stadium (with rare footage of the opening of the 1980 Moscow Olympics)

 

Good Bye, Gentle Misha

The legendary Moscow Olympics closing song, featuring the Olympic mascot, Mishka the Bear. Honestly, the best mascot ever. See for yourself, especially the moment when Misha sheds a tear and flies into the sky…

SONGS of the GREAT VICTORY (WWII Victory)

“Katyusha”

Contemporary version by the 10-year-old twins, sisters Tolmachevi (Winners of Junior Eurovision), 2007

Katyusha – contemporary version by Varvara

“Victory Day” – “Den Podedi”

Lev Leshchenko – “VICTORY DAY” (song of the year 1975) Лев Лещенко “День победы” Песня года – 1975 (original recording)

Contemporary version: performed on Victory Day, May 9, 2010, 65th Anniversary + lots of beautiful Russian girls – Лев Лещенко и Все Участники – День Победы

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“At The Nameless Height” – “Na Bezimyannoy Visote”

Contemporary version: Aya & band “Gorod 312” – Victory Day, May 9, 2010, 65th Anniversary. Again, lots of pretty Russian girls…

“Where No Birds Sing” – “Zdes’ Ptitsi Ne Poyut” aka “We Need One Victory” – “A Nam Nuzhna Odna Pobeda”

Contemporary version, May 9, 2010 –  performed by A Studio, Victory Day concert.

“Beloved City”

Singing: legendary Russian actor, Mark Bernes – Любимый город, Поет Марк Бернес – Rare original recording of a scene from the war-time classic, “Flying Aces” – “Istrebiteli”

“Dark Night”

Sings Mark Bernes – Тёмная ночь, Поёт Марк Бернес – Rare original recording of the war-time classic, “Two Warriors” – “Dva Boitsa”

“Smuglianka Moldavanka” – “Darkie”

Original version from film “Only Old Men Are Going to Battle” – “В бой идут одни старики”

Contemporary version: “Blue Scarf” – Сергей Лазарев и Юлия Савичева – Синий платочек

Contemporary version: Зара “Алеша” – Zara singing “Alyosha”

Contemporary version: Серебро – “Журавли”. Girls’ band Serebro performing “Zhuravli” – “Cranes” (subtitles in Russian/English) (2.2008)

Contemporary version: “Farewell Slavianka” (“Прощание Славянки”) subtitles in Russian/English – performed by Zara and Dmitry Pevtsov

RED ARMY CHOIR

8 min packed with goodies! Aleksandrov Red Army Choir feat at Eurovision Song Contest 2009, Moscow (HD!) Includes hits: Kalinka, Katyusha, Dark Eyes, Long Road + Russian dancing, virtuoso military drummers & “Not Gonna Get Us,” joint feat with Russian girls’ pop duo t.A.T.u

Below is a whole hour of truly epic Soviet Music by the famous Red Army Choir. This is one of the most amazing musical bands of all time, whose fame precedes them, and one of the most superb compilations of famous songs, including Katyusha, Kalinka, Sacred War, Smuglianka, and Farewell of Slavianka. The Red Army Choir is famous for their perfect technique and incredible voices, plus for their unique wave singing when volume goes up and down in perfect unison to emphasize the tune and mood changes. Includes Soviet Anthem and the Hunt for Red October theme song (not by the Red Army Choir).

 

Legendary song: Подмосковные Вечера – Moscow Nights, 1958. Original recording and contemporary views of Moscow

1970s-80s hits

“Grass by Our Home,” band “Earthlings” – Земляне “Трава У Дома” (song about Russian space explorers), 1983

“Our dreams are not those of the space launch’s roar, nor of the ice-blue of Outer Space. We dream of the grass by our home, that green, green grass.”

Band “Samotsveti” (“Gems”) – “My Address is the Soviet Union” (САМОЦВЕТЫ, Мой адрес Советский Союз) (original recording), 1970s

“My address is not a house or a street, my address is the Soviet Union…”

“BIRD OF HAPPINESS” – band “Здравствуй, песня” – “Птица Счастья,” 1970s

The legendary Alexander Gradsky (unbelievable voice!) Legendary song: How Young We Were…” Александр Градский – Как молоды мы были, 1980s

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Late 1980s –  early 1990s (Pre-USSR-Collapse/Collapse era)

Two songs below are from the late 80’s, and they are still mega-popular. I was so out of the loop, and so disinterested in what was going on in the country at that time, mostly traveling abroad, that I’d missed a lot, having only discovered these, and many other songs from the pre-collapse/ collapse era while in the USA. These are nostalgic goodies, and quite addictive. Have a listen! More soon!

Vasyuta & band “Sweet Dream,” “On the White Blanket of January.” Сладкий сон – На белом покрывале января, 1980s

Yuri Shatunov, “Gray-haired Night” – ЮРА ШАТУНОВ-Седая ночь, 1980s (from recent Disco 1980s Nostalgia concert)

Hit Songs From Blockbuster Films/Series (historic, dramas, thrillers)

A word about music in Russian/Soviet films. Soviet films were famous for their songs. As a rule, each film always included at least 1-2 REALLY great songs, which invariably became huge hits. And no wonder – these songs were simply smashing! See for yourself!

My Street  – a very nice song from the movie Spring on River Street, 1956. Улица родная – Весна на Заречной улице. I posted the whole movie here.

“Где-то далеко” Штирлиц встреча с женой – “Somewhere Far Away” – (Schtirlitz is meeting with his wife) from mega-hit series “Seventeen Moments of Spring” (Semnadtsat Mgnovenii Vesni) about a Soviet spy in Nazi Germany who derails clandestine Nazi plans of unilateral surrender in 1945. (Fact: I was little at the time and I remember how when this series was on, streets became instantly empty as everyone was glued to their TVs. Thieves could have a field day, since all police were also watching. However, somehow no burglaries were ever reported because – guess what – all thieves were glued to their screens as well! P.S. Generally, in USSR crime was almost non-existent.)

Somewhere Far Away – lyrics: “At least for a little while, my pain, I beg of you – leave me! As a cloud, a gray cloud, you fly to my home, from here to my ancestral home. My shore, appear far away, as a glimpse, as a thin line! My shore, my loving shore, I wish I could swim to you, reaching you for once in my life.”

Contemporary version of this song: “Somewhere far Away,” performed by Leonid Agutin (Leonid Agutin – Где-то далеко (Ya proshu). It’s a contemporary interpretation, very different from the original, yet it manages to convey the entire life and a huge range of emotions in 5 short minutes, just like the original did. By the way, the woman in the clip is Agutin’s real life wife, singer, Angelika Varum.

 

“Не обещайте деве юной..” “Don’t Promise a Young Maiden…” an absolutely divine song from the divine film, “The Captivating Star of Happiness” (“Zvezda Plenitelnogo Schastya”), about a group of nobles who rebelled in 1825 against serfdom in Russia. When they were sent to Siberia, their pampered wives left posh St.Petersburg behind and followed them into exile.

More songs soon – as soon as I am able to find them! Stay tuned!

Famous Songs from Beloved Soviet Comedies

Soviet comedies are famous the world over. I have a great collection of these gems at home. In fact, in my household we have a tradition to watch Soviet comedies every New Year’s. Songs from these movies are no less famous and equally awesome. They are coming soon – stay tuned!

Famous Songs from Hit Soviet Children’s Movies

Gorgeous song: “A Beautiful Far Away” – from blockbuster YA/children’s sci-fi series “Guest from the Future” (Гостья из будущего – Прекрасное Далеко)

“Red Riding Hood’s Song” (Песня Красной Шапочки) from children’s movie “Red Riding Hood.” Soviet version is very, very loosely based on the original fairytale. In fact, the Soviet Red Riding Hood is an adventurous spirit and courageous soul, who helps those in need, who fights injustice and who possesses a cheeky kind of wisdom that allows her to teach others lessons and right the wrongs. Great movie for kids and adults!

“Second Star Gazer’s Song” from “Red Riding Hood” (Вторая песня звездочета-Красная шапочка)

World Famous Songs from Russian Children’s Cartoons

Soviet Russian cartoons – Russkie multiki – are famous the world over. Unlike in Hollywood, with a very small budget, Russian artists managed to create great, everlasting miracles that taught the young generation kindness, friendship, reason and true values. Those of us who grew up on such multiki still watch them to this day. The Russian cartoon phenomenon has a technical, internationally recognized, term: “dobrie multiki,” which means “the kind cartoons.” High energetic vibration of these cartoons, brilliant artistry, kindness, humor, plus amazing songs, guarantee their continued success and popularity for years to come. However, unfortunately these “kind cartoons” seem to be a lost art, as no contemporary artist is able to replicate them. It appears such cultural achievement was only possible in the Soviet Union, with its unique atmosphere and special approach to art.

Songs from “the kind Russian cartoons” coming!

Also read:

My articles about Russian history, culture, childhood memories – awesome pics! Includes posts ab. Moscow, St. Petersburg, Odessa, Lake Baikal, Siberia.

Listen to: Contemporary Russian Music

Don’t miss! Raising Chi Against Hatred: The Suppressed Story of Russian Songs that Unite World Cultures

Watch Russian films! 

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