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Change
Russkaja Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I changed my Vodka for the Whisky
that's why I got this voice
I changed my Olga for the Britney
because I have no choice
I changed my Prawda for the New York Times
to read about the daily truth
I changed my country for a better life
and now I got the blues

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

Oioioioioi

I changed my schaschlik for McDonalds
there was big difference
I changed my Rubel for the Dollar
and lost a lot percents
I changed my Lada for the Cadillac
to drive Route 66
I cried by watching Pretty Woman
I think that sounds like this

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

(Violin Solo)

Oioioioioi

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Russkaja's song "Change" touch on the theme of cultural identity and displacement, and the sense of loss and longing that comes with leaving one's homeland for a better life elsewhere. The singer talks about the different things he has swapped in his life since leaving his home country: vodka for whisky, Olga for Britney, Prawda for New York Times, schaschlik for McDonald's, Rubel for dollar, Lada for Cadillac. Each of these substitutions represents a compromise or sacrifice he has had to make to adapt to his new environment, and the hints of regret and melancholy in the lyrics suggest that these changes have not been entirely satisfying or fulfilling. Despite the upbeat and catchy melody of the song, there is a bittersweet subtext that highlights the emotional toll of immigration and the challenges of assimilation.


One interesting aspect of the song is its combination of different musical genres and cultural references. Russkaja is a band from Austria that specializes in a fusion of Russian folk and punk rock styles, and "Change" incorporates elements of both. The lyrics are in English, which reflects the band's desire to connect with a wider audience, but there are also bits of Russian slang and interjections mixed in, such as "schaschlik" (a type of shish kebab) and "Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat" (a nonsense phrase that sounds like a Russian military cadence). The use of the violin in the instrumental break adds a folkloric touch, while the overall energy and attitude of the song are decidedly punk.


Another interesting fact about the song is its music video, which features the band performing in a variety of locations, including a train station, a supermarket, and a boxing ring. The video's chaotic, playful style matches the song's frenetic pace and eclectic mix of imagery. The band members wear colorful, mismatched outfits and strike goofy poses, underscoring the irreverent spirit of the music.


Additionally, the lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, and some listeners may hear different meanings in the lines. For example, the swapping of Olga for Britney might be read as a critique of Western beauty standards and the pressures to conform to them. The mention of crying while watching Pretty Woman could be seen as a nod to the complexities of gender roles and expectations. The overall theme of change and adaptation could speak to a range of immigrant experiences, from the challenges of learning a new language to the loss of cultural traditions.


In terms of the chords for the song, they would vary depending on the arrangement and key used by the band. Without access to sheet music, it's difficult to say for sure what the chords are, but given the punk rock influence, there are likely power chords and basic progressions used throughout.


Line by Line Meaning

I changed my Vodka for the Whisky
I gave up my traditional Russian vodka for American whiskey


that's why I got this voice
And now my singing voice sounds different


I changed my Olga for the Britney
I traded my traditional Russian girlfriend Olga for an American one named Britney


because I have no choice
I had to adapt to a different culture and way of life


I changed my Prawda for the New York Times
I switched from reading the state-controlled newspaper Prawda to the independent New York Times


to read about the daily truth
So that I could read real news about what's going on in the world


I changed my country for a better life
I left Russia to seek a better life and more opportunities


and now I got the blues
But now I'm homesick and feeling blue


I changed my schaschlik for McDonalds
I swapped Russian shish kebab for American fast food at McDonald's


there was big difference
And there was a huge cultural difference


I changed my Rubel for the Dollar
I exchanged Russian rubles for American dollars


and lost a lot percents
But I lost a lot of money in the exchange rate


I changed my Lada for the Cadillac
I went from driving a Russian Lada car to an American Cadillac


to drive Route 66
So that I could enjoy the popular American highway Route 66


I cried by watching Pretty Woman
I got emotional while watching the American movie Pretty Woman


I think that sounds like this
Because it made me feel happy and nostalgic for home




Contributed by Ava V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

JackAlope!

I changed my Vodka for the Whisky
That's why I got this voice
I changed my Olga for the Britney
Because I have no choice
I changed my Prawda for the New York Times
To read about the daily truth
I changed my country for a better life
And now I got the blues

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

Oioioioioi

I changed my schaschlik for McDonalds
There was big difference
I changed my Rubel for the Dollar
And lost a lot percents
I changed my Lada for the Cadillac
To drive Route 66
I cried by watching Pretty Woman
I think that sounds like this

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat…



Dex Stomper

I changed my Vodka for the Whisky
that's why I got this voice
I changed my Olga for the Britney
because I have no choice
I changed my Prawda for the New York Times
to read about the daily truth
I changed my country for a better life
and now I got the blues
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)
Oioioioioi
I changed my schaschlik for McDonalds
there was big difference
I changed my Rubel for the Dollar
and lost a lot percents
I changed my Lada for the Cadillac
to drive Route 66
I cried by watching Pretty Woman
I think that sounds like this
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat…



All comments from YouTube:

JackAlope!

I changed my Vodka for the Whisky
That's why I got this voice
I changed my Olga for the Britney
Because I have no choice
I changed my Prawda for the New York Times
To read about the daily truth
I changed my country for a better life
And now I got the blues

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat
(Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat)

Oioioioioi

I changed my schaschlik for McDonalds
There was big difference
I changed my Rubel for the Dollar
And lost a lot percents
I changed my Lada for the Cadillac
To drive Route 66
I cried by watching Pretty Woman
I think that sounds like this

Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Loi lolo loi
(Loi lolo loi)
Ai-rat tat tat tat tat tat tat…

Саня Хэйтэр

Ребята, вы супер. Ору с ваших песен и клипов. Блин, как же люблю группы, у которых у меня любовь с первой ноты!)))
P.S Скрипачка красавица Х3

locolibros

saludos desde america latina amigos , se que entienden el español y por eso les saludos asi. me ha encantado la musica que ustedes componen, es impresionante lo que hacen..,.,. animos y sigan adelante .,.,. desde El Salvador un humilde y reciente fan .,.,.,.

Dudulliber

en el viñarock triunfaron. el mejor concierto. enamorado de la violinista. eso se llama presencia en un escenario. ojalá pueda volver a verlos. Fan de russkaja!!!!!!!

Planken

This is my favourite song of this band. Reminds me of the feeling of missing my home-city, Now that I lived 6 years in a rural town far from home.... Still I miss home....

Mr.Peanutbutter

Ich piosenki sa dziwne, ale jednak zawsze mnie bawią
Their songs are strange... but really funny :D

speling mistake

"I change my shashlik for McDonald's" I don't think Boris would be very happy about that

ιορδανις

Western spy detected , what degeneracy

Senor Potato

Or changing his lada for a Cadillac

VoidDarkened

Noo

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