Аллея (alleya) means 'alley' or 'avenue', and аллей is its genitive plural form, meaning 'of alleys' or 'alleys' (when used with prepositions like 'among'). It's a word that evokes a specific, often romantic or melancholic, setting.
In this song, JONY sings about walking "Среди старых аллей" (Among old alleys), thinking of his beloved. The word paints a vivid picture of a quiet, perhaps nostalgic, place where memories and feelings linger, making it a central image and the title of the song itself.
This song is a straight-up anthem for anyone who's ever been completely lost in thoughts about someone. JONY isn't being subtle here; he repeats "А я всё думаю о ней, о ней, о ней" (And I keep thinking about her, about her, about her) so you know this is an obsession. He's walking alone at night through old park avenues, or "аллей" (alleys), and everything reminds him of her. She's "ярче огней" (brighter than the lights) of the city at night, which is a pretty big compliment!
What makes it feel so real is how this fixation takes over his whole life. His friends invite him out, but he feels like he has nothing to lose by going because his mind is elsewhere. He says, "что б я не делал, она первая в списке / В списке моих мыслей" (whatever I do, she is first on the list / On the list of my thoughts). He even channels it into his music, writing about her while "вдыхая никотин" (inhaling nicotine). It's a simple, powerful song about being totally consumed by love for someone who isn't there.
JONY, born Jahid Afrail oglu Huseynli in 1996 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a celebrated singer and songwriter based in Moscow, Russia. Known for his smooth blend of Russian pop, hookah rap, and contemporary R&B, he first gained widespread acclaim with hits like "Alley" and "Comet," which topped charts and amassed millions of views on YouTube.
Winner of the second season of Russia's "The Masked Singer" and multiple prestigious awards including the Golden Gramophone, JONY has become a standout voice in modern Russian music. In 2024, he took on the role of coach on "The Voice Kids," sharing his musical expertise with the next generation. His heartfelt lyrics and captivating performances have earned him a devoted fan base across Russian-speaking countries.