Leningrad Cowboys. "Those were the days"

The Leningrad Cowboys with the Alexandrov Red army Ensemble.
TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki.
12.06.1993.
Senate Square - Helsinki (Finland)
"Those were the days" (Mary Hopkin -Gene Raskin) based in the russian song
"Dorogoi dlinnoyu" (Boris Fomin-Konstantin Podrevskii)
www.leningradcowboys.fi
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days.
.

[@annikahamalainen1665]

Finnish band and russia military choir 😀 Oh those were the days really 😆😆

[@guntherj.7765]

Imagine a world where soldiers are just singing like these guys!

[@VesaSuontama]

You may say I'm a dreamer...

[@crocodilefirst]

@@VesaSuontama you were a dreamer of peace and harmony and sisu , and now? you can say kiitos to Nato, poor stupid Suomi

[@seastorm1979]

Where did it all go wrong? Why is Russia trying to destroy Ukraine?

[@jaanaaumanen1024]

Not anymore.. Russia chose his path.. and it will never be fixed again..

[@SkyBlue-fj5qc]

then we would see an intercontinental megaphone, nuclear powered amplifiers, supersonic microphones and electro magnetic drums.,lol

[@una1212]

Still THE number one concert, the most impressive, most memorable, most touching... I remember the intense, surprising, unreal atmosphere, people were like crying "is this REALLY happening, thank god I'm alive, here and now, experiencing this moment"... 1993, Red Army!!?? In Finland.. singing and playing, together with L C. Think we would need MUSIC again.. in Ukraine fex...

[@esajarvinen6693]

+nunnuja I remember watching this live on tv. It was brilliant.

[@jrobertsbrewer]

The single most beautiful moment of its time.. Art, Joy, Regret, Respect.. We in the U.S. were certain the world as we knew it was doomed to be incinerated beneath a mushroom cloud. We would have taken the proud Russian race with us, but that was small consolation for the loss of everything humanity had struggled for in 1500 years.. I only pray we don't fall prey to small minds and fear again. Suurin yksittäinen kaunis hetki aikansa .. Art, Joy, Regret, Respect .. Me Yhdysvalloissa olivat varmoja maailmaa tiesimme se oli tuomittu poltettavan alla sienipilven. Olisimme ottaneet ylpeä Venäjän rodun meille, mutta se oli laiha lohtu menetyksestä kaiken ihmiskunnan oli kamppaili vuonna 1500 vuotta .. En vain rukoilla emme kärsiä pieniä mieliä ja pelko uudelleen.

[@Pi63io]

I was there too!

[@motorlife7037]

L:C: is very underestimated band

[@spkanava]

93

[@dachlewis]

On this day in 1993 I drank an entire bottle of Koskenkorva and got engaged to a Finnish girl! Voi VITU! Oh well, only a memory, not a bad one, except for actually getting married to her!

[@p1rgit]

voi vittu! - is correct :D my favourite word in finnish is 'vitusti'. meaning 'badly' as in 'that turned out badly'. but derived frome abovementioned word. :)

[@jesusrod247]

You made me laugh. Congratulations bro

[@UnclePutte]

A logical conclusion to an entire bottle of Koskenkorva.

[@MuurarinEno]

@@p1rgit vitusti means "hell of a lot". Turned out badly is "vituiksi"

[@p1rgit]

@@MuurarinEno thank you! now, come to think, i never saw it written and totally possbly misheard. :) context was 'badly', so they totally said vituiksi and i just did not realize. my source: finnish hospital show Syke. (it was fun until Holopainen left; naturally i'm happy for him but the show just isn't same...he was my love and my man.)

[@cwarcher]

Looking at the world in May 2022, Russia and the western world singing and partying together, this looks as far away as an alien planet.

[@randomobserver8168]

Could've just as easily happened right before COVID and, if there hadn't been COVID, as late as January 2022. It wasn't that long ago. 1993 itself was after all only a year and a bit after the USSR fell, only 4 years after the wall, and 7 years or so after the last time we really worried they'd try to head for the Rhine. And while there were still pro-Soviet revivalists fighting with Yeltsin. Plus the Red Army Chorus and others had actually toured in the west a bit in the 1980s, when the real Cold War was actually still on, and it was the safety of West Germany were were worried about, not the borderlands of eastern Ukraine. It was not impossible even under those circumstances to enjoy shared music with a mortal threat, it should not be now either with a much lesser threat.

[@alannewman4818]

The whole thing is the Fins sticking it to the Russians post Cold War.

[@Dastyish]

I am crying… the fucking kremlin

[@crocodilefirst]

@@Dastyishforgot your false tears

[@spkanava]

95

[@samirantanen707]

Once upon time there was a concert...between mortal enemies. Some came from east, having some prowess in their signing and performance. The other half came from west, having just questionable haircuts and boots. You gotta love Leningrad Cowboys.

[@pulttibois8249]

Jep Jep

[@liri198]

they should do this again, now.

[@perthyren601]

love it

[@spkanava]

93

[@Deadbuck73]

There’s no question about them haircuts.

[@flintyp0P]

This show is like something from another reality. Totally unimaginable but somehow it just works so well

[@TheQuesoviejo]

If there's one thing I've learned in 55 years, it's that all over the world people are people. It's the politicians that bugger things up

[@robertcramer1886]

IT,S NOT JUST THE POLITICIANS WHO FUCK THINGS UP. IT,S ALSO THE LEFT WING MEDIA IN THE UNITED STATES.

[@numbdigger9552]

@@robertcramer1886 fuck off. It's ALL of the media EVERYWHERE

[@VompoVompatti]

I was 6 years old when this concert took place and I still remember it and come back to watch the performance once in a while. Love the performance.

[@Yobananos]

As a Leningrad born and raised gotta say i just love Finland, finish people, hockey and Leningrad Cowboys!

[@suaptoest]

Feel free to say that you do not agree with the current leadership of Finland. This is how we still agree!

[@h.l9635]

While theres grudges between Finland and Russia, its the leaders not the people. Peace. ✌️

[@jaanaaumanen1024]

You need to get your ass out of Russia.. sorry to say that but is the truth...

[@jaanaaumanen1024]

​@@h.l9635 no.. Puttiska and Medvedev and Co.. made sure that Russia gonna end up like North Korea.. sorry.. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@gammal586]

@@jaanaaumanen1024 You're a victim of vicious propaganda. And if you think that it will benefit you to make an enemy of your powerful neighbor for no good reason, god help you.

[@jussimukkala2872]

I remember watching this sitting on my pops shoulders. Those were the days indeed. :)

[@perjessen5209]

The Finns, Finland and the Leningrad Cowboys have always had a special place in my heart - now more than ever. I am too old to fight and I hope you won't have to on my behalf.

[@JohnnyFinVB]

I was there & loved every moment of this concert !!!

[@d2027132911]

Legend has it the songs can still be heard echoing at the square...

[@tomstarwalker]

The most peaceful & cosmopolitan show of all time in the modern times!

[@ollivemas2679]

Korvaamaton menetys musiikkimaailmalle. Osanotto muusikkojen omaisille R.I.P.

[@ducksareurlords3782]

Kuorohan taisi aloittaa toimintansa jo samana vuonna jos oikein muistan.

[@LibertangoVieenrose]

This version is the best "rocking"-one that I ever heard ! Just fantastic.... including the show...

[@ilililil490]

My dad attended this festival when it was held. Must’ve been an experience.

[@eduuuEMC]

Russia and Finland, united by a simple rock'n'roll concert.

[@auvomesilampi6325]

United? Wtf?

[@mustanaamiotto3812]

@@auvomesilampi6325 rokkenroll

[@Makulax]

@@mustanaamiotto3812 Nice

[@spkanava]

93

[@crocodilefirst]

@@auvomesilampi6325 Auvo you can be very proud now you. Have the perfect sisu with Nato, say to your daddy Biden,, kiitos, Poor stupid Suomi

[@pasifred8589]

This was the world when it still had a chance.

[@theweemanfromgordon]

Just watched the DVD of the Total Balalaika Show..... Just fabulous

[@Jpeg13759]

You just HAVE to love these guys... BEST Music ever from Finland...

[@ducksareurlords3782]

Säkkijärven polkka would like to argue with you.

[@spkanava]

93

[@veli-pekkakultanen2353]

I was at that concert with my brother. That was magnificent!

[@aiccu]

Yes, they even played in MTV music awards US back then. Those were the days. 20 years ago the world was different. It wasn't about money and 3rd generations mobile phones, it was about being creative and having fun. World will never be the same. =(

[@Melodic_Analysis]

rest in peace Red Army Choir, from America with love.

[@DanielMGarcia69]

i fucking know right :( :( :(

[@jasonvanorsdol1755]

Strategic Air Command, Soviets.

[@thelindyhopfox]

Atleast they still live on playing for those who died

[@finnishcommunist3718]

Red army choir still exists lol

[@Melodic_Analysis]

@@finnishcommunist3718 yes but I am referring to the ones that died in that plane crash.

[@UnclePengy]

R.I.P. Red Army Choir. Those were the days.

[@inganokelainen5154]

I Love you leningrad Cowboys, I'm a Finn living in Australia,, missing fantastic music from your Ruskies.. ;)

[@torpmorp1324]

Inga Nokelainen things have changed quite a bit from those times

[@spkanava]

93

[@ilkoff74]

Погибли ребята из этого хора -- хора Красной Армии имени Александрова. Этот ролик был снят в начале 90-х, 25 лет назад… Этот хор знали многие… теперь части этих ребят нет. Царство им Небесное. Покойтесь с Миром. А кто вас лишил жизненных радостей, мы найдем и накажем.

[@sattumansatoa]

Jore Marjarannalla on yksi kauneimpia lauluääniä Suomessa💛

[@silkemeyer3176]

thank you very many Leningrad Cowboys

[@annehyrkkanen5057]

Olimme Senaatintorilla,poikani 4v silloin ,pojan isä ja kummitäti miehensä kanssa Rakkaudella Äiti. IHANA KONSERTTI!!

[@CoSo0o0]

United through music...old and young to preserve the generations heritage...

[@TheFabzefab]

When I was younger it was not my stuff, but as the past goes on, I like it

[@gruingas]

Such a classic, awesome video. I've known it for more than 10 years, and every now and then I will return.

[@Steam1979]

So Crazy... Love FINLAND!!! Greetings from MEXICO!!!

[@JohnnyFinVB]

The best concert that I have ever attended, including #TheGreatestMichaelJackson

[@user-rd8lu1gk7o]

見られて嬉しい😂😂😂大好きなんです❤️❤️❤️

[@harjatalonen3467]

Rest in Peace Red Army Choir!♥️😢

[@berner]

"Once upon a time there was a tavern..." and the look on the soldier's face is like "Oh yes, that's very nice"

[@mirapiiranen9650]

Missä on tällänen henki nykyään? Hattu ja lakin nosto pojille siintä mitä teki!

[@ekesandras1481]

Those were the days my friend, in the 1990ies, when we really liked Russia and thought the Russians are people just like us, with whom we could build a new and better and peaceful Europe. Those days seems so far away now.

[@fonetikus]

Spectacular performance

[@MrJimmyboy1972]

i must be a late developer. i knew about the Leningrad Cowboys but had never heard or seen them until tonight, what a combo army choir meets rock...... Brilliant. Gimme More.............

[@plesnererik]

The Russian guy has an absolutely fantastic voice. Incredible.

[@Tottiharkonen]

Except he's not from russia

[@jallujesperi5737]

he’s finnish

[@plesnererik]

oh, well, he sings very well in any circumstances.

[@ImForwardlook]

I believe Erik meant the guy in uniform, he is obviously Russian...or from the SU....

[@dankaroor]

@@ImForwardlook there are and have been quite a few Finnish members in the red army choir and they sing in Russian just like the rest do, dunno about this specific guy though

[@markohynninen2553]

R.I.P from the Finland.

[@mcfrdmn]

Excellent performance!

[@higgme1ster]

RIP to the Alexandrov Ensemble members that died in the plane crash.

[@illel-zorro9527]

Kultainen 90-luku, tulee ikävä / golden 90's I miss you...

[@XTu1979]

90 luvussa ei ollut mitään kultaista, sorry. Köyhyyttä, kurjuutta ja työttömyyttä.

[@jake621]

2022 sotaa ja inflaatiota

[@stephemmurphy2554]

Bravo! Love that song. 👍

[@joelmatson4402]

Listening with tears

[@Kai-ud1sp]

Meni mielenkiinto välittömästi kun mulle selvisi, että eivät olekaan sukua Sliippareille. Nämä ovat tosissaan ja kenties osaavat soittaakin. "Kapina Wiipurin asemalla" on pantava pyörimään. Muuten ahistaa 😀😀

[@failteslainte6925]

....have a Look Vladimir P.

[@user-el2cj3db9o]

Веселые ребята классно делают

[@tyggerjai]

Как интересно, спасибо!

[@maradonatotti5142]

Where are those LENINGRAD COWBOYS now in 2022 ??

[@petesun6308]

Konkurssissa.

[@helenahayrynen2488]

Tästä tulee niiiiiiinn hyvälle mielelle :)

[@lemonostiftis]

Leningrad Cowboys , amazing as always my 5*

[@jarnojarskikaukonen1983]

Voi kun ois tämmöinen meininki vieläkin. 2021 vuotta mennään

[@kbst8411]

Imagine the North Korean KPA singing K-Pop songs. Awesome!

[@martinkaiser207]

thank you very many!

[@visotrom5712]

Näitten poikien pitäisi olla politiikassa..ovat tietenkin liian viisaita siihen. One way the make peace,,,,,, looks like best way

[@subkontrabasklarinet]

Back then in the early 1990s, when people believed Russia could become a democracy... Those were the days.

[@ubybau710]

+subkontrabasklarinet You got that absolutely right

[@maxbrown1562]

"...poor, dumb bastards." getyarn.io/yarn-clip/ed9da64f-3e03-4df5-a8c4-4e4bffbeec2b

[@sh9683]

hey america, being a democracy means STAYING OUT of other countries business even if they aren't a democracy,

[@aleksandraslisauskas2871]

+sh9683 If those other countries asks for help? I am from Lithuania and I think that to join NATO was a right choice...

[@evgenyneo3377]

Those were the days when naive Russians believed americans can be trusted and bring democracy, while they actually were just robbing bastards and were no better than German nazi army in 1940s.

[@themostannoyingplayer4519]

R.I.P. Red Army Choir. And short message to world leaders like (at this year) Putin & Trump. This is how you should work. Make things great. In here, in this unique concert, west met east in Helsinki Finland. One BAND, Leningrad Cowboys, made it happen!! Think about what all good YOU could do, if you wanted. Make peace, not war - morons.

[@livedandletdie]

Trump didn't war at all... So in fact he's probably the most peaceful President of the US ever. I mean he did even have 3 Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, however the warhungry Democrat cunt that was before him, got a peace prize for doing nothing good at all, and now Biden will increase the troops in the middle east, instead of what Trump did, because Biden belongs to the the political swamp that exist to solely abuse their powers. So yeah, it was nice to have a normal human being in the post of US President for once, but those were the days my friend...

[@dankaroor]

@@livedandletdie shut the fuck up. Trump was too stupid to contribute to the USA's war based economy and instead just pissed off all nations while completely fucking up his own, y'all are in infighting right now and it's hilarious to watch thousands of kilometres away.

[@surfmadpig]

well put.

[@seppokangas1488]

Trump didn’t start a global war (although he may have tried), Vladimir Hitler Putin did it. Russian army isn’t singing in Ukraine, they are killing civilians, women and children. Even former Putin’s friend Silvio Berlusconi said that he is disappointed. So sad to see a good love go bad (Everly Brothers quote).

[@tonyclifton14]

P

[@user-py9vv9kq7i]

Rest in peace Red Army!💔

[@munoma8672]

Eikö se oo nykyään joku Alexandrovin kuoro? Ja kai aika paljon vaihtui porukka siinä lento-onnettomuudessa?

[@spkanava]

93

[@jasonvanorsdol1755]

"Peace Is Our Profession" - USAF Strategic Air Command, as on Dad's flight suit.

[@Chaos_Smoker]

Rip rawk bax

[@cristinamariaalvespereira3393]

Sempre ouvimos essa música juntos, te amo muito ROM ROM meu eterno moço do Planetário ♥️⭐🔭.

[@squanto2]

a spectacle. excellent

[@SkyBlue-fj5qc]

this is a master peace... let the be peace

[@jaanaaumanen1024]

There won't be.. Russia chose its way.. and we all as a world gonna pay for it...

[@SkyBlue-fj5qc]

@@jaanaaumanen1024 don't lose hope my friend. though i feel it's only a matter of time, see you in the battlefield and let's fire up this music one more time.

[@jaanaaumanen1024]

@@SkyBlue-fj5qc yeah, probably ....🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@mursuhillo242]

Sworn enemies singing along to a song originating from an even more sworn enemy for one party. And they say humans aren't capable of peace...

[@Senaatintori]

Those were the days my friend, we thought they´d never end.....

[@jabokk]

Very nice,..

[@LaSpaghettini]

Great! ...☼...

[@MartijnVos]

Those were they days indeed. Nothing seemed impossible in 1993. Cold War was over, and Russia and the West would finally become friends. How things have changed. Maybe we need the Leningrad Cowboys again to bring us closer together again.

[@PaulKobzev]

Типа они сначала сняли кино, а потом стали реально крутой мега неебательской группой. Как то это всё тогда мимо нас прошло, я хорошо помню 93 год. Основные заботы были где бы денег на хавчик достать.

[@saigonslim]

Their days were not as the same as ours 20+ years ago. We dream to live back in those days, but I don't think Russian would. The song was famous in ALL over the world.

[@ricsi414]

Respect from Hungary. R. I. P. Red Army Choir!

[@maunokuoppasalmi4067]

Mahtava esitys 😃

[@annj1549]

Those absolutely were The Days --- before Putin

[@miarf]

They really were, weren't they?

[@thomascolauto]

i miss you legends :c

[@jupiter912]

A great ballad sung with much emotion by the Admiral. ( However , Smoking can damage your health).

[@JCarnivorous]

RIP ROCKBOX😥

[@Dysorpron]

@JerryKitich In case you didn't know the Red Army Choir wanted to perform with them on their gig in Moscow.

[@henna-marjutrouhiainenosli3098]

Happynewyear 2021

[@Christos2407GR]

Κ Α Τ Α Π Λ Η Κ Τ Ι Κ Ο !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@detlefpastuszek1840]

Wer hätte jemals gedacht das dem jemals eine historische Bedeutung zukommen würde!

[@KimowotaJP]

This is awesome the, East meet the West!!!

[@jozsefnegazda3004]

❤

[@fidelmamani9972]

Stupenda

[@jasonvanorsdol1755]

Dear extremely negative people, be happy we didn't kick off Global Thermonuclear War and now share Music.

[@cuneytklc6759]

R I P red army choir :(

[@robertoespinoza6490]

espectacular

[@spkanava]

Leningradin Cowboys Those Were The Days My Friend 93

[@user-xn6sw7zi2w]

вечная память!

[@user-bl3xi2bi6w]

Нас уничтожают - но мы ОТКАЗЫВАЕМСЯ ПОДЫХАТЬ 💪💪🔥🔥🔥

[@SepetTV]

this is epic

[@tonilaulumaa5784]

mahtava biisi laulu

[@BimoKisw]

i like it

[@Kissamiess]

I was there.

[@tyggerjai]

Yes and no. The lyrics are by Gene Raskin, an American. But they're based on a Russian song called "Дорогой длинною" ("Dorogoi dlinnoyu", or "Endless Road"), which has the same tune. My Russian isn't good enough to tell you whether the verses in Russian are a translation of the Raskin back to Russian, or the original lyrics.