The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Gusev's Couplets" (Kupletyi Guseva) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

I'm in plain sight, in action and in gaze,

My presence, I don't try to erase.

Nat Pinkerton and Sherlock Holmes are old news,

Sleep soundly, people, Gusev's here to choose!

My method's simple, I stick like glue,

A criminal's a pimple, that much is true.

I'm a constant reminder, a thorn in their side,

"I'm here, I see you," is what I confide.

The crooks get nervous, their faces turn white,

This detective's no shadow in the night.

They leave their traces, those foolish souls,

Clues on the stairs, codes in the holes.

I work with a system, precise and clear,

No hiding in shadows, no cause for fear.

The victim will have their peace of mind,

The criminal's fate? Behind bars, confined.

They try desperate tricks, their efforts in vain,

Bribes and schemes, all met with disdain.

I'll catch them red-handed, their game is through,

"I'm here, I see you," is all they'll view.

The crooks get nervous, their faces turn white,

This detective's no shadow in the night.

They leave their traces, those foolish souls,

Clues on the stairs, codes in the holes.

With confident steps, I walk my beat,

Let the enemy know, their defeat I'll meet.

One ending only, their fate is sealed,

By Gusev's own hand, justice revealed!

Я на виду - и действием и взглядом

Я выдаю присутствие свое.

Нат Пинкертон и Шерлок Холмс - старье!

Спокойно спите, люди: Гусев - рядом!

Мой метод прост - сажусь на хвост и не слезаю.

Преступник - это на здоровом теле прыщик, -

И я мерзавцу о себе напоминаю:

Я здесь - я вот он, - на то я сыщик!

Волнуются преступнички,

Что сыщик не безлик,

И оставляют, субчики,

Следочки на приступочке,

Шифровочки на тумбочке, -

Достаточно улик.

Работу стою по системе четкой,

Я не скрываюсь, не слежу тайком, -

И пострадавший будет с кошельком,

Ну а преступник - будет за решеткой.

Идет преступник на отчаянные трюки,

Ничем не брезгует, на подкуп тратит тыщи, -

Но я ему заламываю руки:

Я здесь - я вот он, - на то я сыщик!

Волнуются преступнички,

Что сыщик не безлик,

И оставляют, субчики,

Следочки на приступочке,

Шифровочки на тумбочке, -

Достаточно улик.

Вот я иду уверенной походкой:

Пусть знает враг - я в план его проник!

Конец один - преступник за решеткой:

Его сам Гусев взял за воротник!

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Gusev's Couplets" satirizes the image of a ridiculous and self-satisfied detective who fancies himself a brilliant master of deduction. The humor is built on the grotesque exaggeration of his "methods" and self-praise.

Gusev prides himself on his straightforwardness, bordering on absurdity. He doesn't hide, doesn't stalk, but simply "gets on the tail" of the criminal and doesn't let up until he gives up. His "method" is based not on intellectual superiority, but on importunity and pressure.

The image of Gusev parodies the stereotypes of the detective genre. He contrasts himself with classic detectives like Sherlock Holmes, considering their methods outdated. However, his own "deductive" abilities only cause laughter: he perceives crime as a pimple on the body of society, and the evidence itself falls into his hands thanks to the criminals' fear of his "insight."

The song ridicules not only the image of the clumsy detective but also the stereotypical nature of detective stories, where criminals, seeing the hero, lose their heads and leave obvious clues. In the image of Gusev, Vysotsky ridicules self-confidence, limitations, and absurdity, contrasting them with real intelligence and talent.