10 Russian songs EVERYONE sings at karaoke!

10. Tatyana Kurtukova – ‘Матушка Земля’ (‘Matushka Zemlya’)

Literally translated as ‘Mother Earth’, this song is known by heart even by foreigners! Recently, a UFC fighter from Brazil came out to this song in the octagon. A declaration of love for Russia combined with folk and pop. That's the main secret of its success!

9. Nadezhda Kadysheva – ‘Плывет Веночек’ (‘Plyvyot Venochek’)

‘Plyvyot Venochek’ (‘A Wreath Is Floating’) is a stunning example of how a song from 2006 can still go viral on TikTok 20 years later! Previously, Nadezhda Kadysheva, a performer of folk-style songs, was considered a singer for the older generation, but, now, teenagers and Gen Z are storming her concerts, chanting in unison: “Одинокая стою на берегу!” (“Alone, I stand on the shore!”).

8. Zhuki – ‘Батарейка’ (‘Batareyka’)

In this 1999 song, the lyrics tell us that “love's battery has died”. The secret of its popularity is simple: an unpretentious melody and simple lyrics that even a foreigner who doesn't know Russian can sing along to. By the way, this song is not only a fan favorite at karaoke, but also at gatherings at parties or around a campfire with a guitar, as the chords are also very simple.

7. Smyslovye Gallyutsinatsii – ‘Вечно Молодой’ (‘Vechno Molodoy’)

This song became a nationwide hit after it was featured in the cult movie ‘Brother 2’ (‘Brat 2’). Since then, it has become a true legend of Russian rock. Those who are now over 30 still chant it like an anthem: “Вечно молодой, вечно пьяный!” (“Forever young, forever drunk!”).

6. Kombinatsiya – ‘Бухгалтер’ (‘Bukhgalter’)

One of the main hits at any discotheque in the 1990s. A lively dance song, in which the women in the band declare their love and praise a simple accountant (what ‘bukhgalter’ means in Russian), rather than “a foreigner and millionaire's son” that everyone else dreams of. Warning: it’s a very catchy song!

5. Kino – ‘Группа Крови’ (‘Gruppa Кrovi’)

Almost all songs by the legendary musician Viktor Tsoi are known by heart in Russia, but everyone definitely sings along to this rock hit, which translates to ‘Blood Type’ in English. It's not just a song, but an anthem of a generation. It's about duty, about the calling road that the hero chooses.

4. Zemlyane – ‘Трава У Дома’ (‘Trava U Doma’)

The 1983 song ‘Trava U Doma’ (‘Grass Near Home’) is better known as ‘Земля В Иллюминаторе’ (‘Earth Through The Porthole’) and is considered the unofficial anthem of cosmonauts. Heartfelt lyrics about mother and a native land are set to powerful rock guitar.

3. Yuri Shatunov – ‘Седая Ночь’ (‘Sedaya Noch’)

From karaoke bars to Turkish hotels, this song can be heard everywhere where Russians are. And everyone will sing along! It’s a, now, nostalgic hit from 1988, sung in a youthful falsetto by Yuri Shatunov, lead singer of the legendary 1980s band ‘Laskovyi May’ (‘Gentle May’). It's a lyrical ballad about a lonely guy who just can't confess his love to a girl and ends up alone on a “gray night”.

2. Ruki Vverkh – ‘18 Мне Уже’ (‘18 Mne Uzhe’)

Can you imagine a whole stadium of girls chanting: “I'm Already 18”!? That’s exactly what happens in stadiums when Sergey Zhukov, the frontman of the band whose name literally means ‘Hands up’, sings this song. The chorus is simple, but defiant: “Take me quickly, take me across 100 seas and kiss me everywhere, I'm already 18!”

1. Lyube – ‘Конь’ (‘Kon’)

This is probably the most famous song Russians would sing at karaoke. It’s even considered by many to be a folk song. The first verse goes as follows: “I will go with my horse to the field at night…” It’s the embodiment of the mysterious Russian soul. You can even sing it a cappella, the main thing is just to do it with feeling!