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

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.