Contrary to credits given for the Kenny Ball version, this is not a traditional folk song. Originally written in 1955 as "Ленинградские вечера" ("Leningradskie vechera"), the title was changed in 1956, with accompanying changes in the lyrics, to "Подмосковные вечера" ("Podmoskovnye vechera", in English: "Moscow Suburban Evenings"). It was first sung by Vladimir Troshin for a film on the 1956 Spartakiad sports festival.