BI-2 is a Russian rock band. It was formed in Belarus in 1988 by Leva (Yego… Read Full Bio ↴BI-2 is a Russian rock band. It was formed in Belarus in 1988 by Leva (Yegor Bortnik) and Shura (Alexander Uman), who both took the surname BI-2. BI originally was the abbreviation of "Bereg Istini" ("Shores of truth"), the previous name of the band. In the early years the band was playing punk rock music.

In 1991 BI-2 moved to Israel and disbanded in 1993. Shura moved to Australia where he joined a darkwave band, Chiron. He invited Leva to join it in 1996. Chiron was an obscure band, featuring vocals by Michael Aliani. Some of the Chiron songs were re-recorded and re-released in 2006 as the album "Chiron" by BI-2, with Leva's vocals.

In 1998 Leva and Shura moved to Russia to conquer the rock scene. They participated in the soundtrack for the Брат 2 ("Brother II") movie by Alexey Balabanov, and soon became one of the most popular rock bands. In 2005 BI-2 together with Mихаил Карасев (Mikhail Karasev) (BI-2's lyrics writer and Shura's uncle) released the Нечётный Воин ("Odd Warrior") project, joined by many Russian rock and pop artists.

A complete discography with Lyrics and English translations can be found here:
http://www.russmus.net/band.jsp?band=Bi-2

Official site:
http://www.bdva.ru

Старый друг
Би-2 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Старый друг знал заранее,
Что вокруг местами мрак.
Если вдруг его не станет -
Если вдруг случится так...

Словом, вдруг, случайным,
Взглядом, мыслями бродяг.
Старый друг, он просто рядом -

Рядом - просто так.

Старый друг искал годами
И в душе хранил ответ.
Если вдруг его не станет -
В темноту погаснет свет.

Словом, вдруг, случайным,
Взглядом, мыслями бродяг.
Старый друг, он просто рядом -
Рядом - просто так.

Словом, вдруг, случайным,
Взглядом, мыслями бродяг.

Старый друг, он просто рядом -
Рядом - просто так.

Overall Meaning

The song "Старый друг" by Би-2 talks about an old friend who always knew that the world around is sometimes dark and unpredictable. The song portrays the idea that if this old friend were to suddenly disappear, life would lose its meaning and everything would turn to darkness. The lyrics suggest that the old friend has been searching for answers for years and has held them within his soul. The idea that if he were to pass away or disappear, the light in the world would extinguish is clear.

The lyrics show that the old friend is always around, without being in the way. The friend is always nearby, just because he wants to be, despite any flaws or shortcomings. The song is both melancholic and sentimental at the same time. The words convey a longing for a connection and a feeling of deep friendship that cannot be replaced by anything else.

In summary, the song describes an old friend who is always around, even if he's not physically present. The friend has been searching for answers for years and holds an important place in the poet's heart. The lyrics suggest that without this friend, the world would lose its light and life would become meaningless.

Line by Line Meaning

Старый друг знал заранее,
The old friend knew in advance,

Что вокруг местами мрак.
That darkness loomed in places around.

Если вдруг его не станет -
If all of a sudden he's no longer here -

Если вдруг случится так...
If it happens to be the case...

Словом, вдруг, случайным,
By word of mouth, suddenly, accidentally,

Взглядом, мыслями бродяг.
By a glance, or the ruminations of a wanderer.

Старый друг, он просто рядом -
The old friend is just right there -

Рядом - просто так.
Nearby - for no reason.

Старый друг искал годами
For years the old friend sought

И в душе хранил ответ.
And cherished an answer in his soul.

Если вдруг его не станет -
If all of a sudden he's no longer here -