Полка brings raw emotion to the track ‘Chem Prezhde (Чем прежде)’, mixing a haunting melody with deeply personal lyrics. The songwriter tells the story of a love gone wrong, filled with regret and longing. The beat carries a somber tone, perfectly matching the heartbreak in every word.
Released: March 13, 2026
Chem Prezhde (Чем прежде)
Полка
Chem Prezhde (Чем прежде) Meaning & Lyrics (Полка)
The lyrics describe the pain of a failed relationship with lines like, ‘Now I’m her red flag, and in her contacts, I’m now ‘Don’t Answer – Jerk.” The poet uses smoking as a metaphor for the struggle to move on, highlighting the lingering ache of lost love. Полка’s storytelling pulls you into the emotional chaos of the narrator.
Ye Ye Let’s GoYe, ye, let’s go
AgaYeah
Ye YeYe, ye
AgaYeah
Ye AgaYe, yeah
Che Che Che-che-che-cheWhat, what, what-what-what-what
A YeyeAh, yeye
Ya Zabil Delami Den’ Prosti Chto Dolgo OtvechalI got caught up in business all day, sorry I took so long to reply
Ya Dnyom Lyubil Yeyo Tak Sil’no Yeshchyo Bol’she Po NochamI loved her so much by day, and even more through the nights,
Ya Vyzval Sebe Taksi Khotel Zanovo Vsyo Nachat’I called myself a cab, wanting to start it all over again
Sdelav Dyru V Svoyey Grudi Chto Nazyvayetsya Pechal’Ripping a hole in my chest that’s known as sorrow,
Skazhi Kak TakTell me, how’s it like this?
Teper’ Ya Yeyo Glavnyy VragNow I’m her greatest enemy,
Teper’ Ya Yeyo Pr#yebalNow I’ve messed it all up
Tol’only Ya V Etom VinovatI’m the only one to blame for this,
Skazhi Kak TakTell me, how’s it like this?
Teper’ Ya Yeyo Krasnyy FlagNow I’m her red flag,
I V Telefonnoy Knizhke Ya Teper’ ‘Trubku Ne Brat’ – M#dak’ SkazhiAnd in her contacts, I’m now ‘Don’t Answer – Jerk,’ tell me
Skol’ko Naprasnykh Dney V NadezhdeHow many wasted days spent in hope,
Dym Etazhami MezhduSmoke rising through the floors between us
Ya Otdal By Vsyo Na Svete Lish’ By Snyat’ S Neyo OdezhduI’d give everything in the world just to undress her,
Ya Otdal By Vsyo I Bol’she Chtoby Znat’ Chto Nami MezhduI’d give it all and more just to know what’s between us
Zastavlyala Menya Brosit’ Shchas Kuryu Bol’she Chem PrezhdeShe made me quit, but now I’m smoking more than ever,
Ved’ Dym Takoy Zhe Belyy Yesli Polosa CherneyBecause the smoke’s just as white when the streak turns blacker
Nochi Khoronyat Den’ A Slukhi Tak Zhe LyudeyNights bury the day, and rumors bury people just the same,
I Ya Vstrechu Tebya Noch’yu Tam Gde-to Posle NuleyAnd I’ll meet you tonight, somewhere after midnight
Na Nashem Meste Yesli Pomnish’ Davay Tol’ko Bez SopleyAt our spot, if you remember—let’s just keep it together,
Bystro Nyryayu Slovno Krot Iz Perekhoda V PerekhodDiving quickly like a mole from one ‘underground passage’ to the next
Nadeyus’ Ya Ne Vydelyayus’ Kak I Mestnyy PeshekhodI hope I don’t stand out, just like any local pedestrian,
Derzhi Dykhaniye Rovnym A Golovu VysokoKeep your breathing steady and your head held high
Mne Slilsya Son Gde Ya Iskal Tebya Gde Tut Vagon MetroI had a dream where I was looking for you in a subway car,
Ya Prosnulsya Ili Splyu Da Kh#y Tut Uzhe Poymyosh’Whether I’m awake or dreaming, hell if I can tell anymore
Ya Nabiral Tebe Raz Pyat’ V Nadezhde Chto Ty Voz’myosh’I called you about five times, hoping you’d pick up,
Slushay Ty Znayesh’ Pravda Nadezhda Pravda Umerla PosledneyListen, you know the truth—hope really was the last to die
Ved’ Ya Schital Tebya Svoyey Chto Do Kontsa I Bez SomneniyBecause I thought you were mine, until the end and without a doubt,
Skol’ko Naprasnykh Dney V NadezhdeHow many wasted days spent in hope
Dym Etazhami MezhduSmoke rising through the floors between us,
Ya Otdal By Vsyo Na Svete Lish’ By Snyat’ S Neyo OdezhduI’d give everything in the world just to undress her
Ya Otdal By Vsyo I Bol’she Chtoby Znat’ Chto Nami MezhduI’d give it all and more just to know what’s between us,
Zastavlyala Menya Brosit’ Shchas Kuryu Bol’she Chem PrezhdeShe made me quit, but now I’m smoking more than ever
Skol’ko Naprasnykh Dney V NadezhdeHow many wasted days spent in hope,
Dym Etazhami MezhduSmoke rising through the floors between us
Ya Otdal By Vsyo Na Svete Lish’ By Snyat’ S Neyo OdezhduI’d give everything in the world just to undress her,
Ya Otdal By Vsyo I Bol’she Chtoby Znat’ Chto Nami MezhduI’d give it all and more just to know what’s between us
Zastavlyala Menya Brosit’ Shchas Kuryu Bol’she Chem PrezhdeShe made me quit, but now I’m smoking more than ever,
Shchas Kuryu Bol’she Chem PrezhdeI’m smoking more than ever now
Ye Aga YeYe, yeah, ye
Chem Prezhde (Чем прежде) Music Video
If you want to understand ‘Chem Prezhde (Чем прежде)’, the lyrics dive into themes of regret, heartbreak, and self-blame. The song, performed by Полка, is a raw confession of love and loss.