Konchitsya Leto

Kino's song "Konchitsya Leto" ("Summer Will End") is a poignant reflection on disillusionment, weariness, and the fleeting nature of hope. The lyrics, penned by the band's iconic frontman Viktor Tsoi, capture a sense of existential fatigue and a longing for change amidst a backdrop of mundane and often disappointing reality.

The song begins with the narrator turning off the television and writing a letter, expressing his inability to continue watching the "der'mo" (crap) that surrounds him. This act of writing becomes a cathartic release, a way to articulate his frustrations and the toll it has taken on him. The mention of almost succumbing to alcohol but not forgetting the person he is writing to adds a layer of personal struggle and resilience. The phone call he receives, urging him to get up and go, is met with resistance, highlighting his exhaustion and disillusionment.

As the song progresses, the narrator describes the relentless rain and the broken radio that falsely predicted sunny weather. This imagery of unending rain and broken promises serves as a metaphor for the unfulfilled expectations and the dreariness of his current state. Despite the bleakness, there is a sense of ironic contentment in the quiet, broken by the malfunctioning tape recorder, which he finds solace in.

The final verse paints a picture of a monotonous life, with construction outside the window and a restaurant that has been closed for five years. The tulip in a jar and the glass on the windowsill symbolize small, static elements in an otherwise unchanging environment. The recurring image of the buttered bread falling face down underscores the inevitability of disappointment. Yet, amidst this, there is a glimmer of hope—a wish for a day or even an hour when luck might change.

"Konchitsya Leto" encapsulates the essence of Kino's music, blending personal introspection with broader social commentary. The song resonates with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of disillusionment and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.