Background & Inspiration
McCartney began writing the song as "I'm Backing the UK", inspired by the "I'm Backing Britain" campaign, which had gained wide national support in January 1968, a month before the Beatles departed for India to undertake a course in Transcendental Meditation. According to author Ian MacDonald, McCartney altered the title to "I'm Backing the USSR" and then, drawing on Chuck Berry's 1959 hit song "Back in the U.S.A.", arrived at the song's eventual title. Donovan, the Scottish singer-songwriter who joined the Beatles in India, said that "Back in the U.S.S.R." was one of the "funny little ditties" that McCartney regularly played at the ashram, adding that "of course, melodious ballads just poured out of him".
In a November 1968 interview for Radio Luxembourg, McCartney said the song was inspired by Berry's "Back in the U.S.A." and was written from the point of view of a Russian spy returning home to the USSR after an extended mission in the United States. Mike Love of the Beach Boys, another student at the meditation retreat, recalled McCartney playing "Back in the U.S.S.R." on acoustic guitar over breakfast in Rishikesh, at which point he suggested to McCartney that the bridge section should focus on the "girls" in Russia, in the style of the Beach Boys' "California Girls". In his 1984 interview with Playboy magazine, McCartney said he wrote it as "a kind of Beach Boys parody" based around "Back in the U.S.A." He added:
I just liked the idea of Georgia girls and talking about places like the Ukraine as if they were California, you know? It was also hands across the water, which I'm still conscious of. 'Cause they like us out there [in Soviet Russia], even though the bosses in the Kremlin may not.
Recording
The sessions for The Beatles (also known as the "White Album") were fraught with disharmony among the band members. While rehearsing "Back in the U.S.S.R.", on 22 August 1968, Ringo Starr became tired of McCartney's criticism of his drumming on the song, and of the bad atmosphere generally, and walked out, intent on quitting the group. The other Beatles continued with the session, which took place at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) in London. Ken Scott, the band's recording engineer, later recalled that they created a "composite drum track of bits and pieces" in Starr's absence.
Five takes were recorded of the basic track, featuring McCartney on drums, George Harrison on electric guitar, and John Lennon on Fender Bass VI. Take 5 was chosen as "best". During the overdubbing on the song, on 23 August, McCartney and Harrison also contributed bass parts, and both also added lead guitar parts. After these additions were mixed down to a single track, McCartney sang a lead vocal, using what he described as his "Jerry Lee Lewis voice", and Lennon, Harrison and McCartney added backing vocals, including Beach Boys-style harmonies over the song's bridges. All three musicians added handclaps. Other overdubs included McCartney's bass, Harrison on six-string bass, and Lennon playing a snare drum. Harrison played the guitar solo in the instrumental break, while McCartney contributed a high-pitched, single-note solo over the final verse.
After the other Beatles urged him to return, Starr rejoined the group on 4 September to participate in the filming of a promotional clip for their "Hey Jude" single. During a break in the filming, Marc Sinden (who appears in the film) recalls Lennon playing a song on his acoustic guitar. "Everyone went 'Wow' ... Filming started before we could ask what it was. When it was later released, we realised it was Back in the USSR."
Back in the USSR
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu hey hu, hey, ah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show me round your snow peaked
Mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the USSR
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you, honey
"Back in USSR" is one of The Beatles' classic hits, produced by George Martin, released in 1968. The song narrates the story of a traveler who had journeyed from Miami Beach to Moscow, and now ecstatic at returning, celebrates the experience by praising the Ukrainian and Moscow girls while coaxing his sweetheart to show him around the city.
The song gives us an idea of the influence of American culture on The Beatles and especially Paul McCartney. He explained in an interview how he was excited by the idea of playing rock and roll in the Soviet Union. But the lyrics "Back in the USSR," according to McCartney, were intended for the Beach Boys to parody Chuck Berry's "Back In The USA."
The first verse of the song describes the traveler's experience, his struggle with the air travel, and the emergence of “Paper Bag” problems. He says, “Man, I had a dreadful flight”, showing his frustration with the airline.
The traveler sings with glee while returning to the USSR after being away for so long. He expresses his excitement, noticing the beauty of Ukrainian girls and their emerging culture. He, again, expresses his satisfaction, saying "Gee, it's good to be back home" in the second verse.
The upbeat tempo of this song and the catchy lyrics that often resonate with the listeners make it seem like a happy song to some fans. It is perhaps one of the most recognizable tracks in The Beatles' anthology, and it often signifies with the memories of the group's early work.
Line by Line Meaning
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
I flew from Miami Beach with BOAC airline.
Didn't get to bed last night
I didn't have a chance to sleep last night.
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
During the flight, I had a paper bag on my knee.
Man, I had a dreadful flight
My flight was really bad.
I'm back in the USSR
I have returned to the USSR.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should consider yourself fortunate to live in the USSR.
Been away so long I barely knew the place
I have been gone for so long that I barely recognize the place.
Gee, it's good to be back home
It feels great to be back home.
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
I plan to unpack my luggage tomorrow.
Honey disconnect the phone
Please disconnect the phone, my loved one.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
The girls in Ukraine are extremely attractive.
They leave the west behind
Compared to women in the west, the girls in Ukraine are far better.
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
The girls in Moscow make me excited and euphoric.
That Georgia's always on my mind
I often think about Georgia.
Show me round your snow peaked mountain way down south
Take me to explore the snow-capped mountains in the south.
Take me to your daddy's farm
Please introduce me to your father's farm.
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
I want to hear the sound of your balalaika.
Come and keep your comrade warm
Spend some time with me and keep me warm, my comrade.
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
You should realize how fortunate you are to live in the USSR.
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Let me explain to you, my loved one.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@david22_0
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paperbag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S. Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how luck you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear you balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
@Baluu4099
Oh, flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind
Oh, show me around your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh let me tell you, honey
Hey, I'm back!
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, I'm free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.
Ha ha
@rub5370
if my comment gets lost then know I made the lyrics a little better comrade
Oh, flew in by Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on our knee
Man we had a dreadful flight
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)
Been away so long we hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it 'til tomorrow to unpack our case
Honey disconnect the phone
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock us out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make us sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah we are back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock us out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make us sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show us 'round our snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take us to our daddy's farm
Let us hear our balalaikas ringing out
Come and keep our comrade warm
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh let us tell you, honey
Hey, we are back!
We are back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, We are free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.
Ha ha
@bennyivivas7540
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R
@jfrd-pw4hk
John Lenin
Pavel McCartney
Yuri Harrison
Ringo Zvezda
@leftward_hoe
Иван Ленин
Павел Макартнов
Георгий Харисович
Ринго Звезда
А как называется группа?
@cleavage2126
@@leftward_hoe ВИА "Жуки".
@chef5133
Ringo Stalin
@topgear3128
@@cleavage2126 ВИА "Жуки-ударники"
@EmoPineapple
Бит-Квартет «Жуки»
@arwahsapi
Song by: John Lenin and Pavlov McCartney
@whatstheairspeedvelocityof7618
With collaboration of comrades Giorgi and Ringov
@danielsummey4144
McChotxsky
@lenhatminh9696
What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow ringo didnt participate in this song