Russia On Ice

i think "russia on ice" is a metaphor for vodka. it is definitely a break up song. porcupine tree is the best post floyd band i must say. my favorite band.

I always thought it was about a relationship breaking up because of his alcohol problem, not him drinking after the break-up... that would explain his attitude of "can't stop myself drinking, can't stop being me" it's almost like an argument between the couple, and she says she hates him the way he's become by drinking so much.

The bit that really creeps me out is the last verse. "A drop in the ocean" immediately got me thinking that he dumped his girlfriend in the river, but probably not, in fact on second thought i think he threw himself in the ocean and drowned. "Russia on Ice is burning a hole" - I'm assuming this would mean burning a hole in his heart, because the alcohol is the source of why he's gotten like this and as a consequence it meant he lost his significant other. I might be wrong, but that's my understanding of it.

Although i think the interpretation of a drunken man breaking up with his girl is the must accurate, for some time I have other interpretation.

So my interpretation is that someone struggling with alcoholism yes, but the lines "I see the whole thing come down I blow it to the ground" suggested me of a soldier or a civilian that was forced to be a fighter in a war, maybe in in Czarist Russia, maybe in a more recent scenario, i don't know much about history but that was the first thing it came to me the first few times i listen to it.

Also for me the lines "A drop in the ocean A significant motion" just means the man was hit with the idea that he is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but by being part of an army he is "a significant motion". The next lines "Nothing melts in this cold But Russia on ice is burning a hole" Is Perhaps just describing the destruction of the war in a cold country like Russia.

"I see the whole thing come down I blow it to the ground" This is just him participating in the war. And this last part: "Well what the hell did you say? You said you hate me this way" Is him expressing that a beloved one (not necessarily a GF) hates him. "It's just a matter of time" Its just saying that everything comes to an end, either a relationship or a form of government.

Also is worth noting that the line "If I call will you come and will you save me?" Not necessarily is talking to a Girlfriend or a Friend. It could be just for the public, like breaking the fourth wall, maybe is the man talking to the universe (or God) like saying: "Is someone coming to help me or help us (Russians) in this war?". Anyway that was my understanding before i read that Russia on ice is a metaphor for vodka with ice. Did someone else think of a war with this lyrics?

I also believe the lyrics are about a couple breaking up because of his drinking habits. The atmosphere of the relationship is cold, icy, without emotion, but his drinking causes emotions to flare (hence "Nothing melts in this cold / but Russia on Ice is burning a hole") and the pair ultimately break up. The song describes his remorse, but he is unable to break the habit.

My husband is a dry alcoholic, and I am always taken back to his drinking days when I hear this beautiful song. So this song has a very special, personal meaning to me.

I think that the song is a portrait of a man's suicide after a relationship falls apart.

He has a drinking problem, and it's forced his partner to leave. The song is him musing on how he cannot change, and in the end he kills himself. That's what the much darker instrumental section is for. The first section is the man relenting about the direction his life has taken, and the hopelessness he feels, while the last lines:

"A drop in the ocean A significant motion"

Give his intention to kill himself, while the very last lines:

"Nothing melts in this cold But Russia on ice is burning a hole"

Ties the entire thing back to the beginning. Meaning that he has ended where he has started, with nothing changed. This leads to the dark and heavy section, which I suppose is the soundtrack to his suicide, showing his anger at himself and his ex partner, and the inherent violence. Russia on Ice I think has a double meaning, it could be a metaphor for the character's drinking problem, or it could be a description of the relationship, and the unstable nature of it.

Really? It's just about drinking vodka after a bad relationship? I always thought it meant a bit more, in the philosophic manner... Oh well - it's an excellent song none the less. It's amazing on Warszawa.

There needs to be a cocktail called Russia on Ice. You know it would work.

I wonder if the instrumental at the end is representative of the narrator doing something he would later greatly regret while he was drunk. Violent ending to a somber song.

One of my favorite Porcupine Tree songs, however you interpret it.

To expand on my previous comment, I think the line "Russia on ice is burning a hole" implies that his fear of acting on his anger is being worn down by drinking. The first part of the song ends with the line "it's just a matter of time.." before he snaps, entering the (as I see it) violent ending. He then ... does something bad.

Those bells at the end are kind of haunting and forboding. (death of some kind?)

Stretching here, whatever :p

The title of this song always made me think of like, a post-apocalyptic Russia in a state of nuclear winter, the landscape completely glassed over. Then I finally got this album and listened to it and went "Ooooooooooooh. Vodka."