Mike Love himself suggests a few lines for the opening track of The Beatles' “White Album”. It's a good-natured poke at the surf rock of his Beach Boys' “California Girls”, as well as the rock and roll of Chuck Berry's “Back in the USA”…
Paul McCartney conceived Back in the USSR as a parody (and at the same time a tribute) to the rock 'n' roll of Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys. The song is so convincing that it becomes a standard of the genre itself. Mike Love of the Beach Boys, who is with the Beatles in India at that time, suggests including references to Russian girls in the bridge, just like the Beach Boys did in California Girls.
The recordings of Back in the USSR (and the subsequent track on the White Album, Dear Prudence) happen during a period of tensions that lead to Ringo Starr temporarily leaving the band. It is primarily McCartney who steps in to replace the drummer while he is in Sardinia as a guest of Peter Sellers. When Ringo returns, he finds his drum kit covered in flowers with the message “Welcome back Ringo”, a sign of gratitude and relief from everyone.
Despite everything, the few but never dull chords, the sound effects of the airplanes, George Harrison's simple yet effective guitar solo, the continuous references in the lyrics to Georgian and Moscow girls with Georgia On My Mind, and further nods to Chuck Berry's Back in the USA, the Beach Boys' harmonies, balalaikas, and much more, all contribute to creating an atmosphere of irony and joy befitting the carefree quartet from Liverpool.
In this video, we have tried to include scenes from each phase of recording our cover, without any playback.
Recorded and mixed by Massimo Gerini.
Video by Brizio Romagnoli.
Flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah!)
Been away so long, I hardly knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey, disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well, the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, come on
Hey, I'm back In the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back In the U.S.S.R.
Well, the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind
Oh, show me 'round your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back In the U.S.S.R.
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh, let me tell you, honey
Hey, I'm back
I'm back In the U.S.S.R.
Hey, it's so good to be home
Yeah, back In the U.S.S.R.
