Mashina Vremeni (Russian for "Time Machine") is a Soviet/Russian blues rock… Read Full Bio ↴Mashina Vremeni (Russian for "Time Machine") is a Soviet/Russian blues rock band. One of the earliest Russian rock bands, it remains active for over 50 years. It was formed in the late 1960s in Moscow by Andrey Makarevich and Alexander Kutikov, later joined by Evgeny Margulis. While originally inspired by The Beatles and soviet bards (singer-songwriters), the band eventually developed towards a more straight-ahead blues rock sound.

Despite the long history, Mashina released no official albums before 1983, because of the state censorship. Early records were self-released via tapes and not considered albums. Since 1991 all Mashina Vremeny albums are released by Sintez records, Kutikov's record label.

The band is famous for its eclectic style. Makarevich prefers the traditional russian rock style, Kutikov composes more hard rock driven music, while Margulis is credited as one of Russia's major blues players. Through years and lineup changes, almost every member composed a song, and many of them were singing themselves. In 90's, from five instrumentalists of Mashina Vremeni four were singers simultaneously. All of the band's leaders sing in numerous side projects and often release solo albums.

Since the foundation, the band went through dramatical lineup changes. In 1974 Kutikov departed from Mashina due to conflict with drummer Sergey Kavagoe, and was replaced by Margulis. He returned to new lineup, after Margulis and Kavagoe left the band in 1979 and formed Воскресение. From 1979 to 1982 Petr Podgorodetsky played keyboard and composed some boogie-woogie-driven songs with humorous lyrics. In 1982 he was replaced with Alexander Zaytsev.

80's are considered Mashina's "golden era": the ideological suppression on band was eased and they were allowed to tour and publish albums officially. In 1980 Mashina Vremeni won the first prize on Tbilisi Rock Festival (runner-up was Автограф). Many of the most popular songs, such as Povorot (The Turn), Marionetki (Puppets), Kosteor (Flame) belong to this period.

In 1990 Mashina celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gig on Red Square. Many friendly musicians, including band's former members, participated in it. As Zaytsev was fired due to his alcohol abuse, Mashina leaders invited Margulis and Podgorodetsky to join the reunion. This lineup, consisting of four singing songwriters and considered the most famous, remained until 2000, when the band once again fired its keyboardist, now Podgorodetsky. Currently keyboards are played by Andrey Derzhavin.

Кошка
Машина Времени Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Если сто бегунов - как один бегун,
Это можно назвать так и сяк;
У лошадей это будет "табун",
У рыб это будет "косяк".
Лишь в стаде баран доверяет судьбе,
За что он и признан скотом.
И только кошка гуляет сама по себе
И лишь по весне с котом.

Даже волки, далекие братья собак,
Выбирают себе вожака.
Да и стая собак не может никак
Без него обойтись пока.
У львов и у тигров есть старший в семье -
На нем и охота, и дом.
И только кошка гуляет сама по себе
И лишь по весне с котом.

Перелетные птицы осенней порой
Не летают на юг по одной.
И олени, гуляя оленьей тропой,
Тоже ходят по ней толпой.
Да и люди, что век коротают в борьбе,
Понимают, что легче гуртом.
И только кошка гуляет сама по себе
И лишь по весне с котом.
И только кошка гуляет сама по себе

И лишь по весне с котом.
И лишь по весне с котом.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Машина Времени's song "Кошка" (Cat) reflect on the solitary nature of cats and contrast it with the sense of belonging and reliance on others that exists in various animal species, as well as in human society.

The opening lines suggest that while a group of runners can be referred to as a collective, horses form a "herd" and fish gather in a "school". The lyrics then go on to state that only sheep entrust their fate to the flock, which leads to them being perceived as mere livestock. In contrast, cats wander and stroll by themselves, only allowing themselves to be accompanied by a tomcat during springtime when they are in heat.

The second verse continues to emphasize the importance of leadership and companionship in different species. Wolves, despite being distant relatives of dogs, choose a leader among themselves, and a pack of dogs cannot do without one. Lions and tigers have a hierarchical structure within their families, with an elder taking charge of hunting and providing shelter. However, cats are portrayed as independent creatures who wander on their own, only seeking companionship with another cat during the breeding season.

The final verse highlights how migratory birds fly together in flocks during autumn, and deer also walk in herds along the same path. Even humans, who spend their lives in struggle and competition, understand the ease of doing things together in a group. However, cats remain solitary beings, wandering independently, and only seeking the company of another cat during the springtime.

Overall, the lyrics of "Кошка" celebrate the individualistic and independent nature of cats, contrasting it with the sense of community and reliance on others that exists in various animal species and human society.

Line by Line Meaning

Если сто бегунов - как один бегун,
If one hundred runners are like one runner,

Это можно назвать так и сяк;
It can be called this way and that;

У лошадей это будет "табун",
For horses, it will be a "herd",

У рыб это будет "косяк".
For fish, it will be a "school".

Лишь в стаде баран доверяет судьбе,
Only a sheep entrusts its fate to the herd,

За что он и признан скотом.
Which is why he is recognized as livestock.

И только кошка гуляет сама по себе
And only a cat walks by herself

И лишь по весне с котом.
And only in springtime with a tomcat.

Даже волки, далекие братья собак,
Even wolves, distant brothers of dogs,

Выбирают себе вожака.
Choose themselves a leader.

Да и стая собак не может никак
And even a pack of dogs cannot