Away
Bolshoi The Lyrics
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Happy times or heavy weather
Mother says, "today's a special day"
So let's not fight, okay yeah
When you were at school you were a honey
The boys all loved you, you loved the money
The boys would stare, you'd cross your legs
Away
Yes you get by
Away
Money's scarce, but family honor
Brings it home brings it home
And down the shop, the tongues they snicker
TV dinners, beer and liquor... oh yeah
Skeletons fall out of cupboards
Curtains drawn fall open to allow
The light shows up the dust
That plays around your face
Innocence and lies don't make a perfect match
Leave your door unlatched
I know a word can be untrue
And yet still move you
All the time they bring their friends 'round
Dress you up, show you up
And all the time they told you it was true
Well I'll believe you now
But then I just don't know I
Think I have to reconsider, yeah
I know when she got married
She looked fine in white and lacy frills
Oh yeah, she had a baby
It was painful, it was worth it
And all the time they stuck the knife in
Pulled it up and twist it around
Well that's fine fine fine
Well that's fine fine fine
The lyrics of "Away" by Bolshoi The narrate a love story that faces opposition from different angles. The song starts with a declaration of love and how the lovers should stick together through thick or thin. The mother of one of the lovers declares the day to be special and encourages her child to not fight, suggesting a possible conflict between the lovebirds. The following lines describe how the female lover was popular during her school days, enjoying the attention of many boys. The verse ends with the word "Away," implying that despite the attention, she managed to remain level-headed and detached.
The following verse is a commentary on class and family reputation in relationships. It suggests that though money may be tight, the family's reputation is essential, and so they need to make ends meet by taking TV dinners, beer, and liquor. The subsequent lines describe a sense of exposure and invasion that may come with relationships. Skeletons fall out of closets, and curtains fall open, revealing the hidden secrets and flaws of the couple.
The final verses of the song explore the way friends and family give different views on what is true or right. The singer is unsure of what to believe, given the conflicting information and probing questions that touch on the girlfriend's marital history and childbirth experience. It is not clear if the relationship will survive or if the couple will remain "fine, fine, fine." Overall, the lyrics speak to the complicated nature of love and the various influences it faces.
Line by Line Meaning
We're in love, let's be together
Let's commit to our relationship
Happy times or heavy weather
We will stick together through good and bad times
Mother says, "today's a special day"
Let's not argue on this day
So let's not fight, okay yeah
Let's set aside our differences
When you were at school you were a honey
You were very popular
The boys all loved you, you loved the money
You liked the attention and gifts from the boys
The boys would stare, you'd cross your legs
You enjoyed the attention and knew how to use your body to your advantage
And then you'd toss your hair
Away
Yes you get by
Away
You use your physical appearance to attract people and get what you want
Money's scarce, but family honor
Brings it home brings it home
And down the shop, the tongues they snicker
TV dinners, beer and liquor... oh yeah
Our family values are strong, but we may not have much money. We may be gossiped about in our town while we eat cheap food and drinks.
Skeletons fall out of cupboards
Curtains drawn fall open to allow
The light shows up the dust
That plays around your face
Secrets are being revealed and the truth is coming out, revealing the less glamorous parts of our lives
Innocence and lies don't make a perfect match
Leave your door unlatched
I know a word can be untrue
And yet still move you
It's important to be truthful in relationships, and sometimes lies can be hurtful. However, sometimes even a lie can make us feel a certain way
All the time they bring their friends 'round
Dress you up, show you up
And all the time they told you it was true
Well I'll believe you now
People may have made fun of us or exaggerated the truth in the past, but I trust you now
But then I just don't know I
Think I have to reconsider, yeah
I know when she got married
She looked fine in white and lacy frills
I'm having doubts about our relationship and need to think things over. I remember when someone else got married and how beautiful they looked
Oh yeah, she had a baby
It was painful, it was worth it
And all the time they stuck the knife in
Pulled it up and twist it around
Well that's fine fine fine
Well that's fine fine fine
Even though having a baby may be difficult, it's ultimately worth it. People may have tried to hurt us, but we'll be okay
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Trevor Tanner, Jan Kalicki, Paul Clark, Nick Chown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smc1322
In West Germany, in the summer of 1987, a friend and I would listen to this song almost every day on the way to work. He didn't know who sang it, and I've been searching for.......well 28 years. I just knew there was a line like 'Away......' and something about a knife mentioned at one point. I just heard it on an 80s mixcloud mix just now and Shazamed it. Can't believe I've found it. I was always worried that it wouldn't be as good as I remembered it, but it holds up all these years later. Man, I still can't believe this.
@MitchQuintana
Great story!
@berlinsaintclair9100
Wunderbar! Thanks for sharing such a WONDERFUL story 💜 I LOVE this song and have many good memories growing up in LA and listening to KROQ. Best time for music ever
@Bamazeb
Cool Story. I had a Similar experience. I taped this song off of a college radio station. Had the cassette tap all of these years but never knew who the artist was. Decided to try Shazaming the Taped song and it pulled up The Bolshoi. I I mediated lye purchased it on iTunes
@sj0bs1
+Seán McGuinness Count me in, almost the same story as yours. I first heard it around 89 here in Houston, Tx. It took some time, like 20+ yrs to finally find it through extensive research
@PauloMoreira62
+Seán McGuinness here in portugal at the same time, 87, I listened bolshoi away tracy chapman fast car and cocteau twins treasure full album in a basf cassette...
@mellogee7861
What I appreciated the most about The Bolshoi back in the 80's was that they sounded like a really great "blend" of all the awesome bands from that genre then, all rolled into one. Peter Murphy, Psychedelic Furs, The Cult, The Church, Simple Minds, Flesh For Lulu, etc. the list goes on.
@loro3799
So true!
@vintage_violet
Wow you're right! And they were definitely underrated! 😎
@debs656
"I know a word could be untrue, and yet still move you." Such a beautiful lyric. Love this song, love this band.