The story of one hit, or why the successful "I will chase a bicycle for a long time" was so disliked by Barykin

"I'll be chasing the bike for a long time." - this composition became a big hit of its time! In fact, it is still a favourite of the public. It has become a classic of its genre. And this song also has a very fascinating history - one might even say sad. Perhaps for this reason it evokes a certain nostalgia and warm sadness?

For Alexandra Barykina the song about "Bouquet" was a huge commercial breakthrough! So it is very strange that he himself disliked this work. However - a lot of artists can't stand their hits. And they all have their own reasons....

Prerequisites

Alexander Barykin is well known to the domestic audience: he sang in many bands, including Rock Atelier and the Merry Boys. With the latter he recorded the much-loved "folk" ballad known as "Mona Lisa.". In fact, it belonged to the British rock band UFO and was called "Belladonna", but it did not become a hit abroad - unlike in our country. "Merry guys" even over the lyrics did not think long - and so recorded in English. And, perhaps, for the best.

The prerequisites for the birth of a hit "the bouquet and the bicycle" There were many, including a campaign against rock bands. Alas, in the 80s, almost every band performing in this genre was blacklisted. Some put up with what was happening and looked forward to better times, and some went on the sly. Barykin followed in the footsteps of the latter. He became solo an artiste, and in his difficult solitary voyage he was assisted by a good old comrade of his David Tukhmanov.

With the help of a respected composer, Alexander was able to release a giant disc - happened in the mid-80s. The record was a success, and some of the songs (e.g. "But it's still summer!") even inspired others to make their own interpretations! In general - Barykin managed to make a name for himself as a solo artist.

Popularity grew, songs were actively played on radio and TV. But it was after the release of the hit song about "Bouquet.".

A resounding success

This famous composition was first performed in 1987 - it was awarded the Grand Prix at the festival "Song of the Year '87." and was universally acclaimed! If you didn't live in that era, or if you were just a child, then you should realise the enormity of this breakthrough: it was not just a hit, but a real hit. "hityara"!

The marvellous opening solo was inspired by the Peruvian block flutewhich Barykin heard in "El Condor Pasa" (a song by the duo Simon & Garfunkel). Actually, the story began with it, because the lyrics were not yet available at that time. But as always, everything changed happy accident!

"I was really into poetry at the time. Purely by chance, I stumbled into a bookstore and bought a collection of poems by Nikolai Rubtsov. I didn't know who he was, but something in his poems touched me. They were uncharacteristic for the USSR, some fresh and surprising for me. I liked all his poems, but "Bouquet" especially - I thought at the time: "It's a ready-made song!". It literally took me 15 minutes to write the music - I wrote it all at home in the kitchen.

Realising the value of a potential hit, Barykin hurriedly to record the song and get it on the radio as soon as possible.

"Such gorgeous poems! I was afraid someone would beat me to it!"

The song that kicked Barykin out of rock camp

Given Barykin's admiration, there is a quite logical question: why this song suddenly disliked to him? Although it would be more accurate to say not "disliked", but began to annoy him. It's simple: it was after "Bouquet" made headlines throughout the Soviet Union that the public came to the conclusion that Aleksandr "dropped out of rock camp for good." and went in the direction of "pop." The singer himself said:

"What else could I do? I had a family to feed..."

Alas, but Barykin could not regain his name as a rocker - the public (for the most part) perceived him as a rocker. popular artist. However - and from "pops" the singer had to give up: problems with the thyroid gland began, an operation was made and the voice underwent changes. Barykin himself was sure that all this is the consequences of the performance in the Chernobyl disaster zone. Unfortunately, the artist is no longer with us - Alexander Alexandrovich died in 2011 from a massive heart attack.

Interesting to know

In fact, the "bouquet and bicycle" poem was inspired by one a tragedy of the heart. Their author Nikolai Rubtsov fell deeply in love with a girl, Taisia. This love was mutual. But soon young Rubtsov was called up for service. For some time the couple corresponded, but just a few months later Nikolai stopped receiving letters from his beloved. And soon it turned out: she married after another. Such was the insistence strictly of the girl's father.....

For Nikolai, it was a blow to the heart. When he returned from service, he wrote these romanticised lines, which he hums today whole country.