Meaning of 'Stroganoff'

by Helen Vita

Interpretation

The lyrics of the song "Stroganoff" by Helen Vita tell a story about a marriage and an affair that results in a bloody ending.

The protagonist, Stroganoff, is a wealthy man who lives in Omsk and owns a large estate. His beautiful wife stays at home and gets bored while Stroganoff is busy at the czar's court. It is hinted that his wife is having an affair with a neighbor named Schmuschkinoff.

One day, Stroganoff returns home unexpectedly and catches his wife and her lover in bed. He asks the lover if he has only taken his wife's body or also her soul. The lover does not answer correctly and Stroganoff becomes angry. He goes to the café and tells his friends about the incident.

Stroganoff orders raw filet and a large knife. He shows his friends what he has done with the knife, which he made from Schmuschkinoff, by cutting the filet into a thousand pieces. Stroganoff returns the minced filet to the chef and asks him to use it in the kitchen.

The chef is confused because he does not know what to do with the minced filet. He asks Stroganoff what he should put inside and Stroganoff replies that it doesn't matter what he puts inside, because no pig will eat it anyway. The guests at the café taste the dish and find it delicious.

The lyrics of the song address themes of jealousy, infidelity, and revenge. Some cultural aspects of Russian culture are also mentioned, such as the meaning of souls and the use of certain expressions like "mamita". Overall, "Stroganoff" tells a dark story in a humorous way and captures the atmosphere of Russian folklore.