Была не была
Ирина Салтыкова Lyrics

The lyrics of Ирина Салтыкова's song Была не была are about a woman who did not love or wait for someone, but instead lived life according to her own desires. The first verse outlines that the woman did not love, call, or dream about the person. She did not wait for them and was not interested in their affection. The chorus, "была не была" or "whether she was or wasn't," implies that it does not matter what the woman did or did not do because she lived freely and passionately. The second verse cautions against the dangers of desiring love too much, indicating that it can lead to self-destruction. The woman is advised to "bite her cherry lips until they bleed," but even if overwhelmed by passion, she will not pursue a relationship with the recipient of the song's attention.

The song's messaging is little different from from many of Салтыкова's other works and reflects on the importance of self-confidence and independence. Despite the potentially critical tone of the second verse, the overall impression the song gives is a carefree attitude towards life. The burning passion mentioned in the song is not enough to change the status quo for the woman, she is content with herself and does not need a partner to validate her existence.