He is often being compared to another Russian singer and songwriter of that time, Viktor Tsoi (from Кино), whom, according to his diaries, Talkov highly appreciated and even dedicated a song on his death. Talkov's songs also have much in common - particularly from a lyrical perspective - with Russian bard music.
While Igor Talkov is mostly remembered for his beautiful songs about love and fate, most of his work held a clearly political message against the Soviet regime, desperately calling for a change. This is one of the reasons why Talkov was never popular with the Soviet government; even as a performer renown and loved throughout the whole Soviet Union, he lived in a small two-room apartment with his wife and son, even composing his masterful lyrics and music "on top of the washing machine in the bathroom", according to the rumours. Curiously enough, he was not satisfied with Perestroika, claiming it to be nothing but the same regime under a different guise. In his post-Perestroika songs, he openly mocked the changes, calling them a ruse. Talkov was an avid reader of pre-revolutionary Russian history, which served as the inspiration for many of his songs. He even guaranteed at his last concert that he was willing to "back up" his lyrics with historical facts.
He was fatally shot backstage at the Yubileiny concert hall in Leningrad, the next day was declared a national tragedy throughout the whole former Soviet Union. His funeral was a televised, nationwide event, where his casket was carried by some of the most prominent members of Russian stage to its burial. It is not uncommon to meet people in former Soviet countries who still dedicate October 6th to the honour of Igor Talkov.
Talkov is interred in the Vagankovskoye Cemetery in Moscow.
Война
Игорь Тальков Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Я хотел спеть песню "Чистые пруды", но в прудах известных чистой нет воды,
Вместо "ив застенчивых" виснут провода, "Друг мой" канул в вечность и не придет туда.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
И казенной дланью бьет бульвар в лицо и базарной бранью захлебывается "Кольцо",
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война...
Да, я бы спел вам песню про "Чистые пруды", но, признаюсь честно, мне сейчас не до "воды".
Я на меч булатный и доспехов звон поменял приятный старый свой аккордеон,
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война, война, война, война, война.
The Russian song "Война" by Игорь Тальков is a lament about the devastating effects of civil war on society. The lyrics begin by referencing the "clean ponds" and "shy willows," which are replaced with a lack of clean water in the ponds and wires hanging in place of the willows. The world has been transformed by war, and the nostalgia of the past has been lost. The singer expresses a desire to sing a song about "clean ponds," but the reality of the war makes it impossible.
The chorus repeats the fact that civil war is happening - "Война... Идет гражданская война" - and the lyrics describe the destruction that is taking place. Accordion music and memories of childhood are replaced with explosions and violence. The singer has abandoned his beloved instrument for a sword and armor, necessary in the midst of the conflict. The repetition of "Война" at the end of the song emphasizes the endless nature of the conflict and the hopelessness it creates.
The song reflects the pain and suffering of the Soviet Union, which experienced civil war following the Russian Revolution, as well as the ongoing conflicts in other parts of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Чистые пруды, застенчивые ивы…
I wanted to sing about 'Pure Ponds,' but they're now dry and gone. Instead of 'shy willows,' there are electrical wires hanging. My friend from the song is gone, and won't come back.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
War... There's a civil war going on.
Как тут будет петься про аккордеон и про берег детства, если взорван он,
И казенной дланью бьет бульвар в лицо и базарной бранью захлебывается 'Кольцо',
How can one sing about an accordion and childhood memories when it's blown up? The avenue is being beaten by a government's hand, and the 'Ring' is suffocating with the bazaar's brawl.
Да, я бы спел вам песню про 'Чистые пруды', но, признаюсь честно, мне сейчас не до 'воды'.
Я на меч булатный и доспехов звон поменял приятный старый свой аккордеон,
Yes, I would have sung you a song about 'Pure Ponds,' but being honest, I'm not in the mood for 'water' right now. I trade the pleasant sounds of my old accordion for the clink of swords and armor.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война... Идет гражданская война.
Война, война, война, война, война.
War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War... There's a civil war going on. War, war, war, war, war.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-sb9xr7ll5y
Игорь Тальков, как всегда, актуален! Вечная ему память за смелость и правду!
@user-ch4sf1tc8t
Вечная, светлая память Воину Света Игорю Талькову!
@belfrance7386
Тальков и Цой были пророками и ушли,как пророки. Мы это интуитивно чувствовали,а теперь убедились...
@user-fs1cm5iu3n
Игорь Тальков будет. Актуален. Вечно
@iamfrommariupol...3206
Хотелось бы, чтобы нет.
@user-dc9ow3gj7c
светлая память игорю талькову
@sem562
Кто слушает в 2022👍👍👍👍😎
@user-lf4ox5kw3y
И в 2024 слушаем,
ощущение, что война с народом бесконечна...
@Jurijus-jv9hf
Stasys Michailo
@user-cm2qi2od6u
Тальков гений