"Korobeiniki" (Russian: Коробе́йники, romanized: Korobéyniki, IPA: [kərɐˈbʲejnʲɪkʲɪ], lit. 'The Peddlers') is a nineteenth-century Russian folk song that tells the story of a meeting between a korobeinik (peddler) and a girl, describing their haggling over goods in a metaphor for seduction.
Outside Russia, "Korobeiniki" is widely known as the Tetris theme tune, from its appearance in Nintendo's Game Boy version of the game (titled "A-Type") as arranged by the Japanese composer Hirokazu Tanaka in 1989.
The song "Korobeiniki" is based on the poem of the same name by Nikolay Nekrasov, which was first printed in the Sovremennik magazine in 1861.[1] Its increasing tempo and the dance style led to it quickly becoming a popular Russian folk song.[2] Early musical compositions of the song were published by Yakov Prigozhy and Alexander N. Chernyavsky (Чернявский, Александр Николаевич) in 1898.[3] Varvara Panina made gramophone records of the song with several recording companies in 1905 and later.[3][4]
Melody
Lyrics sample
There are several variants the lyrics, all being minor variations of the beginning of the poem.
| Russian lyrics | Transliteration | English translation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ой полным полна моя коробушка Есть и ситец, и парча. Пожалей, душа-зазнобушка, Молодецкого плеча. |
Oy polnym polna moya korobushka Yest' i sitets i parcha. Pozhaley, dusha-zaznobushka, Molodetskogo plecha. |
Oh, my crate is so full, I've got both calico and brocade. Take pity, oh sweetie, Of this lad's shoulder |
| 2 | Выйду, выйду в рожь высокую, Там до ночки погожу, Как завижу черноокую, Все товары разложу.[5] |
Vyydu, vyydu v rozh' vysokuyu, Tam do nochki pogozhu, Kak zavizhu chernookuyu, Vse tovary razlozhu. |
I will, I will go out into the tall rye,[a] I will wait there till the night comes, Once I see the black-eyed lass, I will showcase all my goods. |
| 3 | Цены сам платил не малые, Не торгуйся, не скупись: Подставляй-ка губы алые, Ближе к милому садись! |
Tseny sam platil ne malye, Ne torguysya, ne skupis': Podstavlyay-ka guby alye, blizhe k milomu sadis'! |
I paid no small prices myself, Don't bargain, don't be stingy: Bring your scarlet lips here, Sit closer to the dear lad! |
Arrangements of the song
Numerous Russian singers performed this song.
Tetris
After arrangements of "Korobeiniki" first appeared in Spectrum Holobyte's Apple IIGS and Mac versions of Tetris, the song was re-arranged in 1989 by Hirokazu Tanaka[6] as the "Type A" accompaniment in Nintendo's Game Boy version 1.1. It has since become closely associated with the game in Western popular culture and the Tetris Company has required its inclusion in every version of the game since 2002.[7] In 2008, UGO listed the song as the 3rd best video game music of all time.[8]
The Tetris Company holds a sound trademark on this variation of the song for use in video games.[9] The official Tetris website wrote that Korobeiniki was "memorable enough on its own as both a poem and folk tune", independent of its adaption into the Tetris theme.[10]
Doctor Spin's 1992 novelty Eurodance cover version under the name "Tetris" reached No. 6 on the UK singles chart.
In November 2024, Hiiragi Magnetite released the song "Tetoris" (featuring Kasane Teto), inspired by the Tetris theme. The song spread rapidly on social media immediately after its release, debuting at number one on both the JAPAN Heatseekers Songs and Niconico Vocaloid Songs Top 20 charts.[11] It also debuted at number 71 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart for the week of December 23, 2024,[12] eventually reaching number 35.[13] The music video reached 10 million views on YouTube in December.[14]
Other adaptations and versions
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has recorded and performed versions of the song under the title "Peddlers" (sometimes ぺドラーズ "Pedorāzu") since their eponymous debut EP in 1989.[15] Most recently, it can be found on their 2014 album Ska Me Forever.[16]
- String quartet Bond included a version on their 2000 debut album Born called "Korobushka", which they often perform at their live concerts.
- American rock band Ozma released a rock version on their 2001 album The Doubble Donkey Disc; it was used in the 2013 film Kick Ass 2.
- An Italian house remix of the song, "Cammino Contento", was featured on the 2005 Gigi D'Agostino compilation album Disco Tanz.
- The song has also been arranged by Yoko Shimomura for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[17] The song is retained in later versions of Super Smash Bros. as well.[18][19]
- The Timbers Army performs the melody with altered lyrics during Portland Timbers games, usually accompanied by a simple dance with a large visual effect.[20][21][22]
- German band dArtagnan used the music for their song "Trink mein Freund" and released a folk rock version of "Korobeiniki" (in Russian) on their 2022 album Felsenfest.[23][24]
Notes
- ^ "into the tall rye" is a sexual innuendo akin to Comin' Thro' the Rye by Robert Burns
References
- ^ Cornwell, Neil (1998), "Reference Guide to Russian Literature", p. 574
- ^ Lane, Christy & Langhout, Susan (1998), "Multicultural Folk Dance Guide", pp. 19–22
- ^ a b "Сл. Н. Некрасова" [Words by N. Nekrasov] (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-12-25.
- ^ [1] Search for "Варя Панина" at russian-records.com
- ^ "Николай Некрасов: Коробейники". Nekrasov.niv.ru. Archived from the original on 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ Square Enix Music Online, Hirokazu Tanaka: Brief Profile
- ^ Johnson, Bobbie (June 1, 2009). "How Tetris conquered the world, block by block". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015.
- ^ Rosenberg, Adam (2008-01-11). "Tetris – 'Korobeiniki', as inspired by the original Russian folk song – Best Video Game Music of All Time". UGO.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval, Latest Status Info. Accessed 2009-03-13.
- ^ "The History of the Tetris Theme Music". Tetris. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
- ^ "【Heatseekers Songs】柊マグネタイト「テトリス」が初登場で首位に | Daily News". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100: Week of December 23, 2024". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Hiiragi Magnetite Chart History on Billboard Japan". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ 柊マグネタイト [@hiiragi_magne] (14 December 2024). "「テトリス」1000万再生ありがとうございます！" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 February 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra – Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (1989, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1989.
- ^ "Ska Me Forever". Amazon.
- ^ Tetris: Type A – Super Smash Bros. Brawl. GilvaSunner. 2011-01-13. Archived from the original on 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2021-08-11 – via YouTube.
- ^ "List of SSB4 Music (Nintendo series)". 7 December 2021.
- ^ "List of SSBU Music (Other series)". 12 December 2021.
- ^ Williams, Meagan (August 25, 2011). "Timbers Army Tetris dance". Portland Pulp. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Portland Timbers release free custom, web-based video game, 'Set Piece'". Portland Timbers News. June 15, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Tetris / Korobushka Chant: PT Songs". FanChants. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ dArtagnan - Trink mein Freund (Offizielles Video), 22 July 2022, retrieved 2022-07-23
- ^ Korobeiniki, 27 October 2022, retrieved 2022-12-30
