Happy Birthday Leonid Brezhnev

Album: not released on an album (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev was First Secretary of the Soviet Union from October 1964 until his death on November 10, 1982. He presided over what might rightly be described as difficult times for his country and for the entire Eastern Bloc, including the disastrous invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 - which inspired the song "Guns For The Afghan Rebels" - and saw the rise of Solidarno - Solidarity - in one of its satellites.

    Two days after Brezhndev's 75th birthday, martial law was declared in Poland, which appears to have been the principal inspiration for this somewhat lyrically awkward cappella.
  • In her youth, Baez was regarded as a subversive by her native USA and served time in 1967 for protesting against the Vietnam War. Later, she ran into trouble with "What Have They Done To The Rain" in Japan; "Happy Birthday Leonid Brezhnev" will hardly have endeared her to the Evil Empire anymore than did her previous protest songs to the Land of the Rising Sun and the Great Satan. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.