In soviet Russia, calling
censorship “common” is an understatement. It’s not surprising that much of the
music composed under those circumstances faced a lot of adversity from the USSR
government. One of the most famous examples of a censored song composed in
Soviet Russian is Edward Khil’s I am glad
because I am returning home.
The
song was originally composed by Ostrovsky, it was meant to have a plot
consisting of dangerously western ideals. The original concept was said to be
this: “John on a mustang is riding across a prairie to his love Mary who is
waiting for him and knitting him a woolen sock.” When this idea was explained
to the staff in the recording studio, they objected, saying something with
these “cowboy” themes could not be recorded and/or distributed in Russia. As a
result, the song changed directions. Its new name became I am glad because I am returning home, and the “plot” behind the
song was changed. It is now simply about a good mood, the official description
is “A man is merry he walks and sings for himself. He is glad and everyone
around him is glad.” The new theme sounds a little silly, but the song captures
that feeling of Joy very effectively. There was no real need for this censorship;
it was simply the result of a strict communist regime. In the end, I would
argue that the whole world benefited, because the resulting song is nothing
short of a masterpiece.
Sources:
http://www.spb.kp.ru/daily/24454.4/617512/
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