“DDT” is a Russian rock band that appeared in 1980 in UFA. The leader and the author of most songs of this band is Yuriy Shevchuk. Many people consider him as the best poet of Russian rock. Shevchuk himself says that the best poet of Russian rock was Alexandr Bashlachyov (who died in 1988 when he was 27).
As many pioneers of the so called second wave of Russian rock “DDT” still produces new albums and gives concerts. This is the kind of band that has created great hits which are admired not only by rock fans but by many other people as well. In Russia and other Post Soviet Republics you can hear the songs by “DDT” on radio and watch video-clips on TV quite often. Also “DDT” has nothing common with pop music. The lyrics are well written. They are very poetic. The music may be considered as soft rock. The style is quite recognizable and authentic. As usual, I am going to show a sample of lyrics translated from Russian. One of the greatest and most famous hits by “DDT” called “What is autumn?” (“Что такое осень?”). It is very atmospheric and catches the spirit of autumn. You can find there the tranquility and beauty of that season. So, here are the words of this song: “Autumn is the sky… The crying sky under the feet Birds and clouds Are reflected in puddles Oh… how long haven’t I been With you, autumn Autumn: ships are in the sky Autumn, I’d like to have a fly The sorrow sinks in the sea Of the dark expense of the autumn
Autumn is the stones The faith over Neva The autumn have reminded to my soul The most important things And made me restless again
Autumn: ships are in the sky Autumn, I’d like to have a fly The sorrow sinks in the sea Of the dark expense of the autumn
Autumn is the wind It plays With the broken chains Oh autumn, will we crawl or will we fly to the answer On what is going to be with us and our country?
Will we crawl or will we fly to the dawn What is going to be with us tomorrow? Autumn: ships are in the sky Autumn, I’d like to have a fly The sorrow sinks in the sea Of the dark expense of the autumn
The flock of city thaws In the darkness What I’ve known about you, autumn? How long Will leafs fall? Autumn is always right”
Also in its original language this song is much more poetic. It is obvious that translation can not give the same feeling as the original.
