The Leningrad Cowboys are a Finnish rock and roll band, famous for its humo… Read Full Bio ↴The Leningrad Cowboys are a Finnish rock and roll band, famous for its humorous songs and concerts featuring the Soviet Red Army Choir.

Originally created as a label under which another Finnish band, the Sleepy Sleepers, could release their English songs and concert extravaganzas, the joke acquired a life on its own. Since its foundation in the late 1980s, the group has appeared in three films by Aki Kaurismäki (Leningrad Cowboys Go America, Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses and Total Balalaika Show) and also enjoys some success worldwide.

Currently, the band has eleven Cowboys and two Leningrad Ladies. The songs, always somewhat influenced by polka and progressive rock, have themes such as vodka, tractors, rockets and Genghis Khan, not to mention folkloric Russian songs, rock and roll ballads and covers from bands as diverse as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd, all with lots of humour.
The sight of thousands of people singing along 30 years later to yellow submarine listen and decide.

Brave New World
Leningrad Cowboys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life began a mystery
We still don't know how
We're hoping we know what we do
Second nature comes along
We create, but lose control
We think we know what we do
I want to know the answer
I want to have my share

Where do we go from here
How can I pay my fare
How can I somehow disappear
For an endless time in space
With a brave new world to face
Simple peace can't be found
Inside our restless minds
Keep on hoping it's there
Take a number stand in line
Someone's selling you time
Your dream will take you there
I want to know the answer
I want to have my share
Where do we go from here
How can I pay my fare
How can I somehow disappear

For an endless time in space
With a brave new world to face

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Leningrad Cowboys' "Brave New World" express the human desire for knowledge and control. The opening lines suggest that although life is a mystery, humans believe they can understand it. However, as they go on to create and innovate, they realize that they are out of control and no longer have a clear understanding of the consequences of their actions. The desire for answers is what drives humans to keep searching for them, even if it means facing a brave new world.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of escape. The singer wants to disappear into space, to leave behind the chaos and uncertainty of their current reality. However, they acknowledge that simple peace cannot be found inside their restless minds. They are caught in a cycle of hope and disappointment, where they are sold the promise of something more, but never quite find it. The song ends with the refrain of "where do we go from here," indicating that there is no easy answer to the human condition.

Overall, "Brave New World" is a commentary on the limitations of human knowledge and control, as well as the never-ending search for answers and peace.

Line by Line Meaning

Life began a mystery
The origin of life is unknown and remains a perplexing mystery

We still don't know how
Despite years of scientific research, we still don't fully understand how life began

We're hoping we know what we do
Although we are uncertain, we have hope that we understand the consequences of our actions

Second nature comes along
Familiarity with something can breed complacency, resulting in the loss of control

We create, but lose control
As humans, we possess the ability to create, but sometimes we are unable to manage or contain what we have made

We think we know what we do
We are often confident in our abilities and understanding, yet sometimes we are wrong

I want to know the answer
The singer desires to comprehend the truth and the meaning behind life's mysteries

I want to have my share
The artist wants to be included in the knowledge and discovery that life offers

Where do we go from here
The artist ponders the future and what potential paths humanity could take

How can I pay my fare
The artist is questioning the cost of progress and what sacrifices must be made to move forward in life

How can I somehow disappear
The singer is contemplating the idea of escaping reality and the challenges that come with it

For an endless time in space
The desire to exist outside of time and space is compelling

With a brave new world to face
The prospect of a new and unknown world may be intimidating, yet exciting

Simple peace can't be found
The search for inner peace is complex and often elusive

Inside our restless minds
Our minds are perpetually searching for answers and solutions to the challenges of life

Keep on hoping it's there
Despite the difficulty, we continue to have hope that inner peace is attainable

Take a number stand in line
In our society, one must wait their turn and follow a prescribed order to achieve success

Someone's selling you time
The idea of time being a commodity to be sold suggests that capitalism is the driving force behind progress

Your dream will take you there
Through the pursuit of dreams and aspirations, one can find fulfillment and contentment

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY OSBORNE, JEFF WAYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS