The original song was first performed live by Yuri Kasparyan and Viktor Tsoi during a concert in Leningrad in 1986. Although it was not included in the 1986 album "Night," all the songs were included in arranged versions when it was later released on CD. Before that, the song was included in their first album, "Blood Type," released in 1988. This song also had a dreamy and serene feeling, reflecting a "Silent Night." However, in 1989, the album "Last Hero," which featured rearranged songs by Kino, was released, and the "Silent Night" on that album became legendary. The version I recommend and am posting here is also the 1989 version. From a historical perspective, the lyrics suggest the collapse of the Soviet Union, with people (neighbors) starting to wake up while the pioneers have already embarked on their own paths. It conveys a message of compassion and doing the last thing one can for those who still wish to sleep, allowing a "Silent Night" for those who desire it, even though change has already arrived. In a way, it seems to depict the last night of the Soviet Union in 1991, yet it also feels timeless, reflecting today's world as well. It could be seen as a small prayer song wishing a "Silent Night" for modern people. In any case, whether it was the Tsoi of that era or Viktor Tsoi as he is called today, his songs were sung back then, are sung now, and will continue to be sung in the future.
Thank you! I unfortunately don't have the original picture anymore, but I searched for something like "russian city sunset". I'm sure you'll find some with, or close to 4K resolution
Wow, as a non Russian speaker that start to learn Cyrillic alphabet, the words in this song is quiet hard to pronounce. Multiple consonants alphabet without vocal alphabet. But I must keep the grind to be able to sing Кино's songs.
Holy shit no way I talk to a gulf war veteran who served from 84 - 05 his name is Jim and he served in the 2nd ad and participated in 73 easting this is a really cool video
As a non-Russian language speaker, I was amazed at how I was drawn to simply the SOUND of Viktor's music. I had no idea of lyrical intention but was magnetically glued to the determined percussion and desperation in the tone of his voice. I became obsessed with how exactly a band would rebel in a place where that could result in death (we all know his death was no accident). I learned that bootlegged copies of his music were sold underground. This is the music of change. This is the music of a revolution. This is the music of someone whose spirit will never die and will inspire everyone for times to come. This is art.
nothing can compare to viktor tsoi. his music has such sorrow and melancholy in it. its so beautiful. i started to learn russian because of his music. i dont want to have to always read subtitles to understand. he was a true artist, shame he was taken so young.
Nice cover! Fine if you dont, but do you know any songs similar to this? (not by kino as i have listened to everything theyve made) Keep up the guitar! People need to play songs like this to keep them alive
There was this one time when a different channel used my video for their reaction content, and this is how I summed up the songs meaning: Originally this song first appeared on their 4th album titled Ночь or Night which released in 1986, then in their most known 1988 album Gruppa Krovi, or Blood Type and the version you listened to is the 3rd and last version that was in their only compilation album that got released abroad in France in 1989. The song, like any other song and literary work has a denotative and a connotative meaning. When taken literally, the song is describing an eerily peacful and quiet night, where some people gather to head out somewhere, while others are disturbed in their sleeps. Very aesthetic, but it's missing half of it's value, the meaning behind the lyrics. When viewing it in the connotative meaning, it can have different interpretations, but most people agree on two. The first one is connected to the then present Soviet Union and it's perestroika period. The calm night is supposed to be everyday life itself, existing as a constant thing. The people who are entioned gathering in the song are the people who want more change in the system. They first gather, those who share similiar ideas, ideals and thinking, and then take off, meaning taking action to change things. The line "Those who were silent aren't silent anymore" stresses this perfectly. The people who are sleeping on the other hand are those who are afraid to speak up. They aren't happy either with how things are run, but have a perfectly adequate life and don't want to risk changes, because that could disturb their "sleep" or their present life. The other interpretation dwells into Tsoi's personal life, and the song resonates with the listener on a personal level. Here we don't talk about systems or ideologies, but how people are generally afraid to make changes in their lives, let it be a personal problem, relationships, grief, or a life changing event. In this sense the song describes how people need to force themselves out of their comfort zones and has to sacrifice some to make a change, unlike people who decide to "sleep" instead, meaning that those people are not strong enough, too lazy, or just cannot make a change. Generally people tend to avoid songs like these just for their melancholy sound, but I tend to look at Kino's and Viktor Tsoi's songs like an oyster. You have to break the hard shell in order to see the pearl inside. I'm currently studying anglo-saxon history, culture and language in general in universtiy, and translating and analyzing foreign songs is a huge passion of mine.
5:00 as someone who lives in the past all the time and with depression, I can’t even explain how I feel when I listen to this part, but it just feels amazing and I get those Wojak Doomer vibes from it.
