Where the West is all about the individual, Russia has always been more about the collective. More мы (we) than я (me). But you don’t always have to put yourself second, and constant modesty becomes boring – and eventually unbelievable. And so today, the spotlight is on Me, Myself and I, with 10 Russian songs that celebrate the Self.

Modesty and Honesty

A foreword you’re free to skip.

This might be an opportune time to make a confession. Although a “we” has been mentioned here several times, Music in Russian is the work and love of just one person. Sure, it would be great to have a native English writer, a native Russian editor, a music expert, a scout, an editor, a designer, a video maker, and a social media manager on board – and fair to say, I suck at more than a few of those disciplines.

On the other hand, not one minute here is wasted on meetings, and there is never any arguing. The energy in the office is either great, or the office is closed. The music always is great too.

About

Short bio, while I’m at it.


I used to be a writer and editor in Dutch, and I’ve always loved music and languages. Then I discovered the Russian language, and two passions merged into one: Music in Russian. I also create the website Rusland1 (link to English section, currently under construction). Send me an email or a message if you want to know more – and tell me Кто ты (Who are you).

For now, as so often, the songs may offer some answers – or raise more questions.
This special is dedicated to – you guessed it.

Наив – Суперзвезда (Superstar, 2000)

Когда я перестану дуть и обновленная душа
Моя над миром вознесется очень высоко
Тогда поймёте, наконец, какая супер я звезда
И все от зависти помрёте раз и навсегда

When I stop blowing and my renewed soul
will rise very high above the world
Then you will finally understand what a superstar I am
And you will all die of envy once and for all.

From Оптом и в розницу.
Find song lyrics Суперзвезда here.

Dima Bilan – Я твой номер один (I’m Your Number One, 2008)

From Против правил.
Find song lyrics Я твой номер один here.
Dima also is your number one in English, and сильней (stronger).

25/17 – Никто не сможет меня остановить (No One Can Stop Me, 2009)


А голова, чтобы думать, ноги, чтобы ходить
Никто не сможет меня остановить
Глаза, чтобы видеть, губы, чтобы говорить
Никто не сможет меня остановить

And the head to think, the legs to walk
No one can stop me.
Eyes to see, lips to speak
No one can stop me.

From Только для своих.
Find song lyrics Никто не сможет here.
Previously covered on Rusland1.

МВиПД – Какой же я милый (I’m so Sweet, 2015)

Какой же я милый, какой же я классный
Я просто чудесный, как ангел прекрасный
Я слишком красивый для этой планеты
Какой же я клёвый, я великолепный

How sweet I am, how cool I am
I'm just wonderful, like a beautiful angel
I'm too beautiful for this planet
How cool I am, I'm magnificent.

Find song lyrics Какой же я милый here.
Previously covered on Rusland1.

Тараканы! – Сила одного (The Power of One, 2016)

Сила одного всегда внутри,
Не видна и не слышна, но дай лишь срок,
И придут другие бунтари,
И асфальт опять насквозь пробьёт росток.

The strength of one is always within,
Invisible and unheard, but given time,
Other rebels will come,
And a sprout will once again break through the asphalt.

From the album of the same name.
Find song lyrics Сила одного here.

Звери – Я – Молодец (I am Good, 2018)

From Вино и космос.
Find song lyrics Я – Молодец here.
Shorts: Кто молодец? Я молодец! and Какой же я молодец.

Серега Пират – Я это я (I Am Me, 2021)


Я просто хочу оставаться собой
Прожить свою жизнь, не жалея ни дня
Я понимаю что я не такой, и ты бы хотел – 
но я это я

I just want to remain myself
Live my life, not regretting one day
I understand that I'm not like that, and you would like me to be,
but I am who I am.

Find song lyrics Я это я here.

RAVDINA – Кто, если не я (Who if not Me, 2024)

Кто, если не я, будет биться до последней капли за свою мечту?
Пусть сжирает тьма, но я вижу свою цель
Я знаю, что я все смогу

Who, if not me, will fight to the last drop for my dream?
Let the darkness consume me, but I see my goal
I know that I can do anything

Find song lyrics Кто, если не я here.
Витя АК (AK-47) (2010), Баста (2015) and Dенис Клявер (2021) asked themselves the same question.

JANAGA & ФОГЕЛЬ – Никто не нужен (Don’t Need Anyone, 2024)

Честно говоря, мне никто и не нужен
Одиночество тут дома, мы дружим
Нет, не болею, но голос простужен
Дым греет душу и голову кружит

To be honest, I don't need anyone
Loneliness is here at home, we're friends
No, I'm not sick, but my voice is sore
The smoke warms my soul and makes my head spin

From РАУНД 2.
Find song lyrics Никто не нужен here.
Kizaru (2016) also does not need anyone (только каннабис, only cannabis), and the same goes for Владимир Гунбин (2019), Замай (2020) and ЛС (2024) – but where would any of them be without an audience.

Марина Федункив – Я все равно круче (I’m Still Cooler) (2025)


Я всё равно круче твоих самых лучших
Твоих одинаковых новых штучек
Я всё равно круче, я без протекции
Меня не получишь в свою коллекцию

I аm still cooler than your very best
Your identical new things
I'm still cooler, I'm unprotected
You won't get me in your collection

Find song lyrics Я все равно круче here.
Saved the best for last. Whoever it is that cannot add Марина to his collection – it isn’t me, so here she is.
Thank you for reading – and for stopping by.

Encore

Special Short

A short video version of this selection can be watched on YouTube and below. Several copyright issues required painful adjustments. The uncut version will be on the Telegram channel soon.

A selection of the songs covered here can also be found in this YouTube playlist, and in Music in Russian songs on Spotify.
Follow Music in Russian on Telegram, Facebook, X, YouTube.

© Music in Russian, 2026

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