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.
Wannabee
Gorky Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Closing in on the Queen
Drones are running, they're freakin' no
Get off, you're ready to win
The sun told me the way to you
Don't rely on the dance
Simon's coming "so say it loud"
Wannabee the lucky one, live a bloomin' day
Wannabee the lucky one, die a bloomin' way
Back up, ready, I'm pushing out
Nectar soakin' my wing
Suck a dozen roses, I'm buzzin' now
Look out here comes the king
Cling to me, I'm the only tree
I'm the only wind that blows...
Cling to me, I'm the only seed
I'm the only one that knows...
The song "Wannabee" by Gorky Park is a pop rock track with a fast-paced beat and enigmatic lyrics. The chorus "Wannabee the lucky one, live a bloomin' day, Wannabee the lucky one, die a bloomin' way" sets the tone for a feeling of urgency and a desire for a fulfilled life. The opening lines "Honey-combing, I'm sticking out, Closing in on the Queen, Drones are running, they're freakin' no, Get off, you're ready to win" seem to refer to a bee trying to approach the queen for a chance to mate, but with the competition from other drones. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for someone trying to stand out and win in a competitive world.
The second verse "Back up, ready, I'm pushing out, Nectar soakin' my wing, Suck a dozen roses, I'm buzzin' now, Look out here comes the king" continues with the bee metaphor, potentially representing the singer's desire to achieve success and be recognized as the "king" of their field. The repeated lines "Cling to me, I'm the only tree, I'm the only wind that blows... Cling to me, I'm the only seed, I'm the only one that knows..." can be interpreted as a seductive invitation for someone to stick with the singer and rely only on them for guidance and success.
Overall, "Wannabee" can be seen as a song about ambition and the desire for success, with the bee metaphor used to create a sense of urgency and competition.
Line by Line Meaning
Honey-combing, I'm sticking out
I'm standing out and making my presence known
Closing in on the Queen
I'm getting closer to achieving my goals
Drones are running, they're freakin' no
Other competitors are scared of me and they're running away
Get off, you're ready to win
I'm telling other competitors to back off because I'm ready to succeed
The sun told me the way to you
My intuition is guiding me towards success
Don't rely on the dance
Don't rely on external factors or luck, trust in yourself
Simon's coming "so say it loud"
Opportunities are arising and I'm ready to seize them
I'm all ready to France
I'm ready to conquer new territory and achieve great things
Wannabee the lucky one, live a bloomin' day
I want to be the one who succeeds and has a great life
Wannabee the lucky one, die a bloomin' way
If I do die, I want to die with the knowledge that I lived a fulfilling life
Back up, ready, I'm pushing out
I'm mentally preparing myself and pushing myself to succeed
Nectar soakin' my wing
I'm taking advantage of opportunities that come my way
Suck a dozen roses, I'm buzzin' now
I'm enjoying my success and feeling great
Look out here comes the king
I'm confident and ambitious, and others should take notice
Cling to me, I'm the only tree
I'm a source of stability and guidance for others
I'm the only wind that blows...
I'm the one who is making things happen, creating change
Cling to me, I'm the only seed
I'm the source of new ideas and growth
I'm the only one that knows...
I have unique insights and knowledge that can help others
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.