Songs
Modern songs are a powerful resource for language learning. They are full of everyday expressions, and their rhythm helps you feel where the stress falls — one of the most challenging aspects of learning this language — while rhyme makes new words easier to remember. Listening to a song you enjoy again and again, and singing along, is one of the most natural ways to absorb new material.
We are continually expanding this collection. The selection reflects our personal taste, but most of the featured performers are also compelling poets, sometimes even more so than musicians. Our goal is not to provide polished, singable English versions, but to help learners see how the language works inside the lyrics. For that reason, the translations are literal rather than poetic, designed to clarify structure and meaning.
All translations are created by people, not machines, by those who share a love for languages and for music — and who hope these songs will make your learning both easier and more enjoyable.
About Paintings
О картинах
This song is part of a popular Russian animation from the 1980s. The film that you can watch by clicking the link below is a cover version. It uses animated pictures created by young students of an art school. It tells in a lighthearted manner about three genres of painting – still life, landscape and portrait.
Do You Want?
Хочешь?
Zemfira is a Russian rock singer who has enjoyed immense popularity in Russia over the last two decades.
I Don't Like It
Я не люблю
Vladimir Vysotsky's anthemic song written in 1969 is the poet's manifesto in which he states his life principles through negation of the things he hates.
L'Equipage Cafe
Кафе Экипаж
Irina Bogushevskaya is a contemporary Russian poet, composer and performer of songs. Her style is often defined as 'theatrical jazz' and 'cabaret rock'.
Sitting on a Beautiful Hill
Сидя на красивом холме
Sitting on a beautiful hill is an iconic song by Boris Grebenschikov's band Aquarium. It appeared in the album The Day of Silver ('День серебра'), which was influenced by the music of the classical Russian composer M. Glinka as well as by the band members' interest in mystical theories and practice.
Stand by the River
Встань у реки
The legendary Boris Grebenschikov and his band Aquarium have created a completely new and unique musical and social aesthetics.
Without Women
Без женщин
Alexander Vertinsky's song featuring a parallel literal translation to English to help you understand the lyrics.
You Are For Me The Only One
Ты у меня одна
Yuri Vizbor was a well-known Soviet singer-songwriter ('bard') as well as a theatre and film actor.