Colby Stebbins
Backstory on the song – Released on September 22, 2005 “Без бою (Bez Boyu)” by Okean Elzy is a special and important peace to the lead singer, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk. Widely considered one of the bands most popular songs, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk said that this was one of his favorite songs that Okean Elzy had made. the name Bez Boyu translates to “Without a Fight”. Sviatoslav stated on the record about the song that it had no set meaning, but rather is reliant on the listener to enjoy and find a personal connection. Being a part of the Ukrainian pop-rock and alternative scene, the band’s Gloria record, which features and includes “Bez Boyu” produced over four #1 singles.
“It was written as the last of all the songs on the album and recorded first. It immediately became a single. I put one meaning into this song, and people found ten different ones in it, each their own. For many, it has become a kind of principle of action, and I am happy that she has such a life. Also, one of my favorite songs.”
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, the lead singer of Okean Elzy described his intention of the listening experience.
текст
[Куплет 1]
Шо ж це я, шо ж це я не зумів
Зупинитися вчасно, все ясно
Зі мною тепер і назавжди, пізно не йти
Не йди від мене
[Рефрен]
Я налию собі, я налию тобі вина
А хочеш із медом
[Передприспів]
Хто ти є? Ти взяла моє життя
І не віддала
Хто ти є? Ти випила мою кров
І п’яною впала
Твої очі, кличуть, хочуть мене
Ведуть за собою
Хто ти є? Ким би не була ти
[Приспів]
Я не здамся без бою
Я не здамся без бою
[Куплет 2]
Шо ж це я, шо ж це я не зумів
Зупинити себе, тебе, сьогодні
Сьогодні так дує, без тебе сумую
Сумую без тебе, накинь шось на себе
[Рефрен]
Я налию собі, я налию тобі вина
А хочеш із медом
[Передприспів]
Хто ти є? Ти взяла моє життя
І не віддала
Хто ти є? Ти випила мою кров
І п’яною впала
Твої очі, кличуть, хочуть мене
Ведуть за собою
Хто ти є? Ким би не була ти
[Приспів]
Я не здамся без бою
Я не здамся без бою
[Рефрен]
Я налию собі, я налию тобі вина
А хочеш із медом
[Передприспів]
Хто ти є? Ти взяла моє життя
І не віддала
Хто ти є? Ти випила мою кров
І п’яною впала
Твої очі, кличуть, хочуть мене
Ведуть за собою
Хто ти є? Ким би не була ти
[Приспів]
Я не здамся без бою
Я не здамся без бою
Я не здамся без бою
Lyrics - English [Verse 1] What am I, what am I not able to do Stop on time, everything is clear With me now and forever, it's not too late to leave don't go away from me [Refrain] I will pour myself, I will pour you wine Do you want it with honey? [Pre-Chorus] Who are you? You took my life And did not give it Who are you? You drank my blood And she fell down drunk Your eyes are calling, they want me They lead after themselves Who are you? Whoever you are [Chorus] I will not give up without a fight I will not give up without a fight [Verse 2] What am I, what am I not able to do Stop yourself, you, today It's so windy today, I miss you I'm sad without you, put something on yourself[Refrain] I will pour myself, I will pour you wine Do you want it with honey? [Pre-Chorus] Who are you? You took my life And did not give it Who are you? You drank my blood And she fell down drunk Your eyes are calling, they want me They lead after themselves Who are you? Whoever you are [Chorus] I will not give up without a fight I will not give up without a fight [Refrain] I will pour myself, I will pour you wine Do you want it with honey? [Pre-Chorus] Who are you? You took my life And did not give it Who are you? You drank my blood And she fell down drunk Your eyes are calling, they want me They lead after themselves Who are you? Whoever you are [Chorus] I will not give up without a fight I will not give up without a fight I will not give up without a fight
About the band – Okean Elzy is considered to be one of the most successful and popular bands from Ukraine. Initially formed in 1994 in Lviv, Ukraine the bands frontman is Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. They are also one of the most-loved rock bands not just in Ukraine, but also majority of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) as a whole. The band was awarded “Best Rock Act” in April of 2007 from FUZZ magazine, which is a platform dedicated to show the beauty and emotion behind music. Not only do they have fantastic music, but they are heavily respected by their fanbase for what they do for the community. The band is constantly donating money and performed a concert in order to support the people and soldiers of Ukraine that were affected by the ongoing war. Svyatoslav Vakarchuk was a former politician and is still considered a cultural icon. However, among all of that social standing and status, he was recently caught taking a stand with the territorial defense battalion of Lviv Oblast.
Works Cited
https://genius.com/Okean-elzy-bez-boyu-lyrics
https://blimey.pro/meaning-of-bez-boyu-by-okean-elzy/
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ukraine-svyatoslav-vakarchuk-war-1325608/