In Red Square
Echoes of Forgotten Icons: Stalin, Khrushchev, Lenin
Lyrics
It's a shame about Stalin, the curator said
Expressing regret or disappointment about Stalin, as indicated by the word "shame."
He really was one of the best
Acknowledging Stalin's historical significance, praising him as one of the best.
Just look at the detail on that head
Admiring the detailed craftsmanship of a statue or representation of Stalin's head.
Too bad to melt him down with the rest
Expressing regret that Stalin's statue was melted down along with others.
But since they wrote him out of the history books
Noting Stalin's removal from history books, suggesting his diminished historical significance.
Nobody gives him a second look
Observing that Stalin is now overlooked or forgotten by people.
It's amazing how little time it took
Commenting on how quickly Stalin's influence faded from collective memory.
And now he's never gonna get his statue up in Red Square
Reflecting on the fact that Stalin will never have a statue erected in Red Square.
I remember Krushchev, the old man said
Recalling memories of Khrushchev, emphasizing his strong jaw.
He had real strength in his jaw
Describing the physical appearance of Khrushchev with a pale red skull in the setting sun.
The setting sun would turn his skull pale red
Noting that Khrushchev has been removed or displaced to a storage location.
But now they've packed him off to the store
Highlighting Khrushchev's disruptive behavior, such as banging his shoe at the UN.
He used to know how to stir things up back then
Recalling Khrushchev's bold statements about burying the West, now unattainable.
Banging his shoe on the table at the UN
Expressing disappointment that Khrushchev will never have a statue in Red Square.
He said he'd bury the west again and again
Empty line, no specific meaning assigned.
But now he's never gonna get his statue up in Red Square
Expressing regret about Lenin, acknowledging his impressive seventy-year run.
Too bad about Lenin, the old man sighed
Referencing a new revolution promising cars, leading to the burning of the Kremlin and the return of the Tsars.
He really had quite a run
Describing the current situation of painting over the red stars with blue paint.
For seventy years he was idolized
Highlighting the absence of Lenin's picture in Red Square due to these changes.
Even though he missed most of the fun
Empty line, no specific meaning assigned.
But the new revolution promised everyone cars
-So they burned down the Kremlin and brought back the Tsars
-Now they're spraying blue paint over all the red stars
-And he doesn't even have his picture up in Red Square
Conveying the overall theme of disappointment that historical figures are not commemorated in Red Square.
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