In 1987 guitarist Alexey Belov, vocalist Nikolay Noskov, bassist Alexander "Big Sasha" Minkov
, guitarist Jan Janenkov, and drummer Alexander Lvov (formerly from Aria) came together to form Gorky Park. Stas Namin, a famous 70's soviet musician and a leader of Tsvety, became band's manager. Since Gorbachev has lifted the censorship, many of underground rock bands, including Gorky Park, became able to recieve more widespread popularity. Later that year the band left Russia for USA in search of a record deal.
In the U.S. the band soon made some connections in the record business. One of the first people to take notice was famous guitarist Frank Zappa. Also Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora helped them to secure a deal with Mercury Records.
The band released a self-titled debut album in 1989, featuring initials GP stilized as Hammer & sickle on the cover. With a fall of the Iron Curtain and growing interest to soviets in western countries, Gorky Park soon became widely known. The band seemed to be a kind of symbol of American-Russian friendship. The band's first video, "Bang," received MTV rotation. Their next two singles, "Try to Find Me" and a collaboration with Bon Jovi, "Peace in Our Time," received rotation on mainstream radio stations.
Gorky Park participated on that year's Moscow Music Peace Festival alongside Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Scorpions. The band continued into 1990 touring with Bon Jovi and performing at the Goodwill Games opening ceremony. Gorky Park live shows often featured the band dressed in traditional russian style, waving soviet and american flags. In 1991 the band recieved scandinavian Grammy award as the best new international act.
As perestroika era came to its end, the group's fame in America subsided rather quickly. Nikolai Noskov left the band in 1990 but GP remained active and kept releasing albums in the '90s. 1993's Moscow Calling sold 500,000 copies outside the US. Their next album, Stare, came out in 1996, released only in Russia, followed up by promotional tour of the former USSR states. In 1998 the band released Protivofazza. In 1999 Alexander Minkov left the band and started his solo career under the scenic name Alexander Marshall. Gorky Park was never officially claimed to disband, but actually inactive since 2001.
Little Asian Girl
Gorky Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me baby, what's going on
Is there something in your world
Or the place where you were born
I saw you looking down
Walking streets in your home town
Hiding face from man around
Deep down in your smile
To see your sadness takes a while
Is there a way to move a night
And find a tiny light
Deep down in your smile
Hey, little Asian girl
Tell me baby, what's going on
From the cradle in your home
You've learned a silence of a stone
Don't move your eyes away
Making it through another day
With ailing past
Burying senses in the dust
Gorky Park's song "Little Asian Girl" is a poignant and thought-provoking commentary on the struggles and experiences of an Asian girl growing up in a patriarchal society. The song begins with the singer addressing the titular character, asking her what's going on in her life and in the place she was born. The girl seems to be walking the streets of her hometown, hiding her face from the men around and shaking up at every sound. Through the lyrics, the singer delves deeper into the girl's state of mind, noting that it takes a while to see the sadness hiding in her smile. The song acknowledges the hardships of growing up in a patriarchal society, where girls are taught to be silent, bury their senses in the dust, and live with the ghosts of their past.
The lyrics of "Little Asian Girl" are a powerful commentary on the challenges and experiences of being a young Asian girl in an oppressive society. The song highlights the struggles of navigating the expectations of society, as well as fighting for one's own voice and identity. The song is an indictment of social norms that oppress women and silence their voices. The singer's urgency and concern for the titular character's wellbeing are palpable, and they encourage listeners to question and challenge the ideologies that perpetuate social injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, little Asian girl
Addressing a young Asian girl who appears troubled
Tell me baby, what's going on
Asking the girl if she has any issues or struggles
Is there something in your world
Inquiring about any challenges in her personal life
Or the place where you were born
Asking if societal or cultural factors play a role in her struggles
I saw you looking down
Noticing the girl's demeanor and posture
Walking streets in your home town
Observing her in her familiar environment
Hiding face from man around
Avoiding eye contact and appearing fearful of strangers
Shaking up from every sound
Appearing jumpy and easily startled
Deep down in your smile
Noticing an underlying sadness despite a seemingly happy expression
To see your sadness takes a while
It is not immediately visible, but it becomes apparent with time
Is there a way to move a night
Hoping that there is a way to alleviate her struggles
And find a tiny light
Finding even a small source of hope or positivity
Hey, little Asian girl
Reiterating the address towards the girl, showing care and concern
Tell me baby, what's going on
Encouraging her to open up about her issues and struggles
From the cradle in your home
Highlighting her unique upbringing and its potential challenges
You've learned a silence of a stone
Having learned to keep her thoughts and emotions to herself
Don't move your eyes away
Urging the girl to maintain eye contact and not be afraid
Making it through another day
Acknowledging the difficulties she faces on a daily basis
With ailing past
Recognizing that past experiences may be impacting her present
Burying senses in the dust
Suppressing emotions and not dealing with them, causing them to accumulate
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
X. Y.Z.
Очень хорошая и необычная песня. Спасибо Парку Горького и Markkys.
w7class
Please, upload full album if possible, i adore this album for a fucking reason!..
Анна Федорук
Love PG. This song is not very popular. Thank you for uploading this. From Russia with love.
w7class
Анна Федорук i am about to say that this record is a masterpiece despite of the pop approach on some songs. Songs such moving to be still or liquid Dreams, are unique and special with some haunting psychedelia
SnowbarS10
Gorky Park (Protivofaza - 1998) - Little Asian Girl ) It's an album song )