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Renaissance — Mother Russia
Album: Turn Of The Cards
Avg rating:
5.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 732









Released: 1974
Length: 9:16
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Pays the price, works the seasons through
Frozen days, he thinks of you
Cold as ice but he burns for you
Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?

Mother's son, freedom's overdue
Lonely man, he thinks of you
He isn't done, only lives for you
Mother Russia, can't you hear him too?

Punished for his written thoughts, starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks, number for a name
His blood flows, frozen to the snow

Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won't flow
So cold, so true
Mother Russia - he cries for you

Ooh ooh ...

Punished for his written thoughts, starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks, number for a name
His blood flows, frozen to the snow

Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won't flow
So cold, so true
Mother Russia - he cries for you!
Comments (112)add comment
This song followed by "Comfortably Numb" just gave me chills through my spine! What an amazing idea. Just perfection.
Posted 11 months ago by joe-1    [ Reply ]
Bill your guilty of great sets when divine inspiration over rules Mediocrity
Posted 2 years ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
 eyke wrote:

Jury's out on this cut, but I think it's cool William played it after Sting's "Russians."



OMG. I represent the Jury of RP. 
I find bill Innocent. 
Posted 2 years ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
Jury's out on this cut, but I think it's cool William played it after Sting's "Russians."
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
 cely wrote:

I like Russia, and I don't like this song.


I am indifferent to Russia - bit of an enigma...but I love this song.
Posted 2 years ago by pktinkler2984    [ Reply ]
First time gave it an 8
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Favourite concert of all time. Massey Hall with awesome acoustic. She soared.
Posted 3 years ago by ciarataylor    [ Reply ]
Still gives me chills!  I wish I could see them again...  I wanna be Annie when I grow up!
Posted 4 years ago by jmjohall    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by Drtjdel1    [ Reply ]
Unfortunate song title, many must be turned off by the label without ever reading the words.
Posted 4 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
Thanks for this one team, only on RP :-)
Posted 4 years ago by BigBud    [ Reply ]
 snitramc wrote:
Saw them in Chicago at the Auditorium theater warming up Firesign Theater. Great show. Guy behind  us kept yelling "Show us your boots!" Needless to say the band did not quite hear him correctly.
 

Firesign & Renaissance - wow, that's a combination I could never imagine for a show.
Posted 5 years ago by TotalHip    [ Reply ]
I have not heard this in 40 years.  Thank you for this wonderful tune.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 Larrygrrl wrote:
I just noticed the tip of the hat to Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" in this song!  Or is it a blatant rip off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaC0vNLdLvY
 
I think that passage is more of a nod or maybe a kind of an ironic joke: adapting a bassline from a light-hearted piece into such a dour, serious song.  "Blatant ripoff" is kind of a harsh term that I see far too often in these threads.   Oddly enough, Rush has an instrumental number where they play an adaptation of "Powerhouse" as well.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Annie Haslam's range is incredible. They were at Union Chapel in London a couple of years ago. One of the best events ever, she can still hit almost all of the high notes first shot.

I am sorry for those guys who don't like the title/theme or the length of the track, you are missing out.
Posted 5 years ago by terryd    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing Renaissance. Very few do. I got to see them in concert (in the 70's when a lot of progressive bands were touring) and I still play their music from time to time.
Posted 5 years ago by keno123455    [ Reply ]
Sweet, nice, feels good.
Brings back the best of my old memories!
Posted 5 years ago by pe0mot    [ Reply ]
Seems to be a real love/hate thing with Renaissance and Annie Haslam. I love 'em, my wife hates them.

Personally, liked them when I first heard them and the one time I saw them in concert. Brings back good memories of college days.
Posted 5 years ago by paulfhplaptop896    [ Reply ]
Haven’t heard this since I played the track on a cold winter’s day back in ‘78- dj’ing a Monday morning slot on the college radio station. Loved Annie’s voice back then, and bolted upright in my chair hearing it just now. Thanks for the memory, Bill!
Posted 5 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
Saw them in Chicago at the Auditorium theater warming up Firesign Theater. Great show. Guy behind  us kept yelling "Show us your boots!" Needless to say the band did not quite hear him correctly.
Posted 5 years ago by snitramc    [ Reply ]
 Kilroy wrote:
I don't like this song and I don't like Russia.

 
I like Russia, and I don't like this song.
Posted 5 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
 dublanica wrote:
At their height, there was no stronger and more pure voice on tour than Annie Halsam.
 
Good comment ~ what a voice,

Posted 5 years ago by geodesmo    [ Reply ]
At their height, there was no stronger and more pure voice on tour than Annie Halsam.
Posted 5 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
an ancient gem
Posted 5 years ago by geodesmo    [ Reply ]
I must be in the minority of people who listens to music more than lyrics.  I wouldn't have even known this song was about Russia if not for the song title.  The vocals for me are just another instrument.  Yet half the reviews here dont' like the song because of the topic.  WTF?  Maybe that's a reason I don't like all the country music twang songs on RP — all I hear is twang while others are apparently getting some lyrical meaning out of those songs.  Whatever.  I like this song.
Posted 6 years ago by hschlossberg    [ Reply ]
Ah, those little threads of humor, or commentary, in the RP playlist... 
Posted 6 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
I just noticed the tip of the hat to Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" in this song!  Or is it a blatant rip off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaC0vNLdLvY
Posted 6 years ago by Larrygrrl    [ Reply ]
5.3 average...Come On Man!       6 {#Roflol}
Posted 6 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
I don't like this song and I don't like Russia.
Posted 7 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Ooph. Not for me. 
Posted 8 years ago by josolbklyn    [ Reply ]

Given the recent assassination/murder and current headlines regarding Russia...
This could be anytime in last 250 years.

America and Russia are two very different countries.
I don't think we appreciate each other.
I know we don't understand.

TOO any politicians everywhere...
Posted 9 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
Renaissance is a wonderful progressive rock group. Mother Russia is a classic recording. {#Bananajam}
Posted 9 years ago by MusicOfOurHeart    [ Reply ]
 ecojot wrote:
great song - its about Tolstoy.

 
My error - its Solzhenitsyn
Posted 9 years ago by gavinam    [ Reply ]
great song - its about Tolstoy.
Posted 9 years ago by ecojot    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:
Sounds like it should be on a James Bond soundtrack. 

 
Agreed.
Posted 9 years ago by ench    [ Reply ]
For some strange reason, this song has popped into my head frequently in the past few months.  And here it is on PSD.
Posted 10 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
Lyrics is good. Don't like her voice in most worked up parts though. Although I must say.. Very interesting type of music.. hmm.
Posted 11 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
Would've given it a 7 if the lady hadn't started singing...
Posted 12 years ago by milipili    [ Reply ]
Sounds like it should be on a James Bond soundtrack. 
Posted 12 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Annie Haslem-only vocalist I've heard with a 5-octave range.
Posted 13 years ago by robster    [ Reply ]
 ShaunJ wrote:

And a young Gavin Harrison played drums on the 1983 Renaissance tour.   {#Drummer}
 
Gavlaaaaaaaaaa!

—

I'll get me coat 
Posted 14 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
 BoulderKevin wrote:
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
 
There is no such thing

;-) 
Posted 14 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}
 
And a young Gavin Harrison played drums on the 1983 Renaissance tour.   {#Drummer}


Posted 14 years ago by ShaunJ    [ Reply ]
 BoulderKevin wrote:
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
 
Except for the Incredible String Band - which I have never heard on RP - although it would be hard to categorize them (and Pentangle) as a progressive rock band.
Posted 14 years ago by medoras    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:

 
"E - Murgancy... please to run from street"


Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
Excellent segue, Bill.  First Al Stewart, now Renaissance.  Blast from my past.  I love it!!
Posted 14 years ago by sheeelaaa    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the overture for a broadway play or movie...not really into it.
Posted 14 years ago by Guyeeno    [ Reply ]
...this is a fun listen...
Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
add some Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pentangle and Yes to the mix and I think we have all the makings for a  prog rock overdose...
Posted 14 years ago by BoulderKevin    [ Reply ]
If RP was into this kind of music this is exactly the kind of music it would play.

Posted 14 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
no sir.... I don't like it...
{#No}
Posted 14 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
It's a 1, but a funny one.
Posted 14 years ago by ceviche    [ Reply ]
Just.. wow.   I know I have this on vinyl somewhere, and have not listened to it for 30 years.    I'm so old.

It is a pretty melodramatic song, even for 1974.  Al Stewart, ELP/Greg Lake melodrama.

Posted 14 years ago by quesarah    [ Reply ]
 donnyballgame wrote:
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.
 
lol
Posted 14 years ago by BrokenArrow    [ Reply ]
donnyballgame wrote:
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.

my kind of song !

Posted 14 years ago by rez    [ Reply ]
So one of the things I really like about RP is that they spread the love around all over.  I think this song is great.  Just sit back and enjoy it.  You don't need to dance to everything.
Posted 14 years ago by stenrick    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Jefferson Airplane doing a Monty Python song while Phil Spector tweeks the knobs.
Posted 14 years ago by donnyballgame    [ Reply ]
And it just keeps going on and on and on....
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
Am I supposed to salute something right now?
Posted 14 years ago by donnyballgame    [ Reply ]
Well, RP never cease to surprise. A bit too "motion picture-ish" for me. Just sayin' ...
Posted 14 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Oh no, not again.
Posted 14 years ago by Pieter    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}
 
that only begins to describe it.

Posted 15 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
I've tended to prefer the Sisters of Mercy version - It's got a great beat and you can dance to it!
Posted 15 years ago by curtkare    [ Reply ]
Annie Haslim has such a beautiful voice  {#Music}
Posted 15 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]

I'm with you.  I like it when RP mixes it up.  Interjecting the big orchestration (is that an oboe I hear?!) and dramatic vocals once in awhile keeps things very interesting.  I hope we'll hear some Trans-Siberian Orchestra come Christmas time!

 DaveInVA wrote:
Seems like a really polarizing song from the comments and score spread. Guess you either love it or you hate it. I'm one of the ones that love it...

 


Posted 15 years ago by plaice3    [ Reply ]
Seems like a really polarizing song from the comments and score spread. Guess you either love it or you hate it. I'm one of the ones that love it...

Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Simply awful...{#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by evansdad    [ Reply ]
Like Mother Russia this song covers 8 time zones.
Posted 15 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
A great Sunday morning set (in my neck of the woods!)
Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Wow! Nice to hear more Renaissance on RP! I've seen them do this 6 times live. Their live performances tend to be better than the studio versions in general. For the sheer amount of great music this group (and variations of it) have done they get amazingly little radio play.
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 Alafia wrote:
Nice to hear Rennaissance again. Been a long time.
I was into them back int the late 70s early 80s.
Saw them once in Boulder and enjoyed it a lot.

 

Same sentiment...saw them 4 or 5 times in the late 70s... very good.  Thanks for uploading this...whoever you are
Posted 15 years ago by MrJames    [ Reply ]
oy... it makes my head hurt... like I'm being pounded by the hammer & thrashed with the sickle...

{#Beat}
Posted 15 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
 sonofpick wrote:
SYG
 
OK, I'll bite what does SYG mean?
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
2 words; Brill Yent!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Awesome!

Haven't heard this since I misplaced my Renaissance cassette tape in '89 or so.

Thanks for digging this up, Bill!
Posted 15 years ago by thousandrobots    [ Reply ]
SYG
Posted 15 years ago by sonofpick    [ Reply ]
ok I am an old fart. but this band I love.

sending you 100.00

Posted 15 years ago by sjlebar    [ Reply ]
Wow, I love this group! I would not mind to hear more of Renaissance in the future... how about "Black Flame"?

BTW... People, what is wrong with you?

Can't you hear "Russia" without shivering? Please grow up. This is a multicultural world. I see this kind of reaction again and again whenever RP dares to air something which smells a bit foreign and it's just annoying. I thought RP community was a more mature. Maybe I am just plain wrong, but then I am still glad of the music I am able to hear here.

Posted 15 years ago by AlexDinamo    [ Reply ]
Oooh!  I rolled the dodecahedral dice and got a 4!! 
Posted 15 years ago by DownHomeGirl    [ Reply ]
Good for a laugh I suppose.
Posted 15 years ago by Pieter    [ Reply ]
 manzanitafire wrote:
Wow, is this really a song about Solzhenitsyn? As a lit geek, that rates a 10 on pure principle.
 
Of course it is.  And it packed a real whallop when it first came out.  I remember it well.
Posted 15 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear Rennaissance again. Been a long time.
I was into them back int the late 70s early 80s.
Saw them once in Boulder and enjoyed it a lot.

Posted 15 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
This comment was posted 20 April - exact same playlist today 20 May. I thought that RP didn't used computerised playlists!?!

Please be the last Russia song in this set, it's getting a bit heavy around here.

Renaissance - Mother Russia
Tom Baxter - Icarus Wings
Al Stewart - Roads To Moscow
Trail of Dead - Russia

Posted 15 years ago by Steve_of_Noosa    [ Reply ]
She is doing some pretty weird chord progressions, or whatever its called when people make noise instead of instruments.

Not that I'm repelled or anything, kinda dig the oddness of it all. :)
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]

Renaissance on RP!!!!!!

My GOD!!

{#Notworthy}


Posted 15 years ago by raga    [ Reply ]
Once I got into my late teens I pretty much stopped listening to Progressive/Classical rock stuff.  Not that I hated it or "outgrew" it; it just didn't interest me or "say anything" to me anymore and there were other genres of music that I identified with more.  I've always liked this song though, for some reason.


Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I'm glad they played this again but now if they'd only play some of their other stuff like Ocean Gypsy, Can You Understand, Trip to the Fair, You, Ashes are Burning, etc, etc. Some of their stuff sounded best live. There are great versions of some of their songs on their "Live in Japan 2001" album. I've seen them live 6 times and greatly enjoyed it every time...

Dave
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Please be the last Russia song in this set, it's getting a bit heavy around here.

Renaissance - Mother Russia
Tom Baxter - Icarus Wings
Al Stewart - Roads To Moscow
Trail of Dead - Russia
Posted 15 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
Bill. Are you ok dude?
Posted 15 years ago by rivermantengo    [ Reply ]
I love it!  Bet it's been over 25 years since I last heard it.  Great band, Bill, please add more!
Posted 15 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]

Is this a James Bond song?


Posted 15 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Renaissance played at my college in the 70's, and I met Annie Haslam at a party afterwards. She was a snit. How's that for dated snark?
Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]

Renaissance on RP?  Way to go Bill!!


Running Hard would also be a nice addition
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Wow, is this really a song about Solzhenitsyn? As a lit geek, that rates a 10 on pure principle.
Posted 15 years ago by manzanitafire    [ Reply ]
i love it!
music with an acutal meaning and background, those are always jewels. i am glad you keep them in honor. although there are many bad feedbacks (for those giving them you should look up aleksandr solzhenitsyn).
maby you could point out a little what a song deals with in moderation?
Posted 15 years ago by sambeaver    [ Reply ]
 rgr0707 wrote:
Wow!!, is this the first Renaissance song ever play in RP? Not their best song but I'll take it.

 
Amen.  I'd pay money to hear "Trip to the Fair" again, or whatever it was called.  It was the only one that got any airplay.  Back in the mid 70's, in the age of male power-vocals (Zep, The Who, Pink Floyd, Kansas, blah blah blah) it was amazing to hear, in contrast, a voice like hers.  Indescribably delicious.

Posted 15 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
Ok RadioDoc,
the song is a 1 the singer is a 1 and you are so much cooler than me, because I have no idea wtf slashdot is.

 RadioDoc wrote:
Geez...you gave this a one?  The lead vocal alone deserves no less than a 5.

By the way, this ain't Slashdot.  You can leave the "first!" nonsense at the door.
 
Well, you got that adolescent "first post!" crap from somewhere, which is pretty sad for someone in their 40's.

Everyone's musical tastes are different but giving this a "1" just shows a general lack which is not surprising considering a third of your ratings are 3 or below.  Carry on.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
{#Lol}  
Instant  #   8 !
Voice
Sound
Upsetting
What else to ask for?


Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Cool! I've seen them six times in concert - Great stuff! I asked them about playing some Renaissance a while back and I guess others have also. Glad they finally did...
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Coool  ......  haven't been here for ages ,, dunno why ... I am in Siberia so the Russia theme is going down well ... I have this album but haven't played it in over 20 years hahaa  ... cant undestand those folks knocking TMC ... why are they here  hahaa  ..
Posted 15 years ago by brians201    [ Reply ]
What a pure voice has Annie Haslam. One of the best concerts I've ever been (Cleveland, circa 1979). Thanks Bill!
Posted 15 years ago by Alear    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
I'll be 2nd!
It's the set of overdramatic Russian themes!
yuck.{#Eyes}
I mean, really yuck.
{#Sorry}

 

"Overdramatic" = "Russian"  Don't be redundant.  

But why "Yuck?"  Because it is different?

We have a LOT of Russians living in this part of Florida, mostly young people (and the women, mostly drop-dead gorgeous!)  They are incredibly talented and smart.  If they are at all representative of those still in the Motherland, I think we will see a very strongly resurgent Russia in the next decade.  We need to learn a lot more about them and try to understand them better, because we WILL be contending with them.

Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 Fooboy wrote:
Good Gawd ! ... This is Horrible !!  it's like Jethro Tull doing the theme for a cheesy James Bond film in the late 70's... only Worse !
 
LOL. Exactly. Music for 3rd graders.
Posted 15 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
I'll be 2nd!
It's the set of overdramatic Russian themes!
yuck.{#Eyes}
I mean, really yuck.
{#Sorry}

 
Geez...you gave this a one?  The lead vocal alone deserves no less than a 5.

By the way, this ain't Slashdot.  You can leave the "first!" nonsense at the door.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Renaissance on RP!!!! Saw them several times back in the 80s.  Great band and Annie Haslams voice is incredible.{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by twcarlin    [ Reply ]
Good Gawd ! ... This is Horrible !!  it's like Jethro Tull doing the theme for a cheesy James Bond film in the late 70's... only Worse !
Posted 15 years ago by Fooboy    [ Reply ]
Make it go away!
Posted 15 years ago by RocknAustin    [ Reply ]
Nice :)    {#Music}

Posted 15 years ago by SavOK    [ Reply ]
Wow!!, is this the first Renaissance song ever play in RP? Not their best song but I'll take it.

Posted 15 years ago by rgr0707    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah... {#Music}
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]