Back In The U.S.S.R.
The Beatles Lyrics
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Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah
Been away so long I early knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu hey hu, hey, ah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show me round your snow peaked
Mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the USSR
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you, honey
"Back in USSR" is one of The Beatles' classic hits, produced by George Martin, released in 1968. The song narrates the story of a traveler who had journeyed from Miami Beach to Moscow, and now ecstatic at returning, celebrates the experience by praising the Ukrainian and Moscow girls while coaxing his sweetheart to show him around the city.
The song gives us an idea of the influence of American culture on The Beatles and especially Paul McCartney. He explained in an interview how he was excited by the idea of playing rock and roll in the Soviet Union. But the lyrics "Back in the USSR," according to McCartney, were intended for the Beach Boys to parody Chuck Berry's "Back In The USA."
The first verse of the song describes the traveler's experience, his struggle with the air travel, and the emergence of “Paper Bag” problems. He says, “Man, I had a dreadful flight”, showing his frustration with the airline.
The traveler sings with glee while returning to the USSR after being away for so long. He expresses his excitement, noticing the beauty of Ukrainian girls and their emerging culture. He, again, expresses his satisfaction, saying "Gee, it's good to be back home" in the second verse.
The upbeat tempo of this song and the catchy lyrics that often resonate with the listeners make it seem like a happy song to some fans. It is perhaps one of the most recognizable tracks in The Beatles' anthology, and it often signifies with the memories of the group's early work.
Line by Line Meaning
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
I flew from Miami Beach with BOAC airline.
Didn't get to bed last night
I didn't have a chance to sleep last night.
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
During the flight, I had a paper bag on my knee.
Man, I had a dreadful flight
My flight was really bad.
I'm back in the USSR
I have returned to the USSR.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should consider yourself fortunate to live in the USSR.
Been away so long I barely knew the place
I have been gone for so long that I barely recognize the place.
Gee, it's good to be back home
It feels great to be back home.
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
I plan to unpack my luggage tomorrow.
Honey disconnect the phone
Please disconnect the phone, my loved one.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
The girls in Ukraine are extremely attractive.
They leave the west behind
Compared to women in the west, the girls in Ukraine are far better.
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
The girls in Moscow make me excited and euphoric.
That Georgia's always on my mind
I often think about Georgia.
Show me round your snow peaked mountain way down south
Take me to explore the snow-capped mountains in the south.
Take me to your daddy's farm
Please introduce me to your father's farm.
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
I want to hear the sound of your balalaika.
Come and keep your comrade warm
Spend some time with me and keep me warm, my comrade.
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should realize how fortunate you are to live in the USSR.
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Let me explain to you, my loved one.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emilieclerc2897
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah
Been away so long I early knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu hey hu, hey, ah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show me round your snow peaked
Mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the USSR
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you honey
@Sejara1528
Soviet version:
Ohh!
Flew in from Laskovy Beach C.C.C.P.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.O.A
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.O.A. (Yeah!)
Been away so long, I hardly knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey, disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.O.A.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.O.A.
Well,
The UK girls really knock me out (... Wooh, ooh, ooh)
They leave the east behind (Da, da, da)
And Boston girls make me sing and shout (... Wooh, ooh, ooh)
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, come on
Woo (Hey)
(Hoo) Hey
Woo hoo (Yeah)
Yeah, yeah
Hey, I'm back In the U.S.O.A.
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back In the U.S.O.A.
Well,
The UK girls really knock me out (...Wooh, ooh, ooh)
They leave the rest behind (Da, da, da)
And Boston girls make me sing and shout (... Wooh, ooh, ooh)
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, show me 'round your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your "daddy's" farm
Let me hear your Ukulele ringing out
Come and keep your firearms
I'm back In the U.S.O.A.
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.O.A.
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Hey, I'm back
I'm back In the U.S.O.A. (Woo, ooh, ooh)
Hey, it's so good to be home (Woo, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, back In the U.S.O.A.
@Qwazin
Chuck Berry: *writes Back in the USA*
The Beach Boys: *writes California Girls*
The Beatles: hold my vodka, comrade
@bobthebrick1988
Underrated comment
@peggyfranzen6159
The paperback was on my knee.
@denkithedhmislover
I like this.
@joseangeldiazfavela2000
get it on meme
@lithiumtaker
@@peggyfranzen6159 OUR knee
@peterbigblock
This song is a classic example of what a genius songwriter and story-teller McCartney is. Also, thanks to Mike Love for the inspiration for that middle eight. Late 60s, what a time in rock.
@JStarStar00
Mike Love thinks he co wrote every song back to Oh Susanna.
@glue444
@peterbigblock @JStarStar00 thanks to Brian Wilson***
@Marthamydear2011
I'm so agree : Paul writed Yesterday, And I love her, I'm down, Eleanor Rigby, Golden slumbers...and Get to get you into my life, Back in USSR, Helter skelter, Get back, and so on
Same for John . You know what : Lennon-McCartney are so great ! Born to make people happy.