Mike Naumenko, “Summer (A Song for Tsoi)” (1982)
Summer!
I’m sizzled like a burger.
I got time, but no money,
But I don’t care.
Summer!
I bought myself a paper.
I got a paper, but no beer.
And I’m going to look for one.
Summer!
There’s a jam session today at the Lensovet.
There will be this, and there will be that.
Should I go there?
Summer!
All the rowdies wear brass knuckles,
They must have a vendetta.
However, this is rubbish. Yes, yes, yes!
Summer!
There is no escape from mosquitoes,
And in the stores there is no DEET.
We hold donors in high esteem.
Summer!
It will be the death of me.
Quick, my carriage, my carriage!
However, kvass will also do.
Summer!
My pants are worn shiny like a coin.
A cigarette is smoking in my mouth.
I’m going for a swim in the pond.
Summer!
Recently I heard somewhere
That a comet was coming
And that then we would all die, all die.
Source of original lyrics in Russian. “Summer” was released on the album Mike: LV (1982), which you can enjoy in its entirety for free on Spotify. The video, above, features photographs by the great Petersburg underground photographer Boris Smelov. Photo and translation by the Russian Reader
The Russian Reader 