Oh, flew in by Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn’t get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it’s good to be back home
Leave it ’til tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia’s always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!
Yeah I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia’s always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, show me ’round your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy’s farm
Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don’t know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Oh let me tell you, honey
Hey, I’m back!
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, I’m free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.
Ha ha
Jetlag, Nostalgia, and Playful Parody
“Back In The U.S.S.R.” by The Beatles opens with the tale of a weary traveler landing in the Soviet Union after a long, uncomfortable flight. The lyrics blend homesickness with a tongue-in-cheek appreciation of Soviet life, cleverly riffing on American rock and roll tropes. The song humorously flips the script—rather than longing for the West, the narrator celebrates returning to the East, referencing the allure of Ukrainian and Moscow girls and the beauty of the landscape. The Beatles use playful exaggeration and cultural references to both parody and pay homage to the Beach Boys while capturing the post-tour exhaustion and excitement of coming home, even if that “home” is a fictionalized U.S.S.R.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Paul McCartney, John Lennon
- Release Year: 1968
- Label: Apple Records