Russians

Russians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq9FZ8e6d1Q

            Sorry I'm late! This week, the song I'm going to interpret and explain is called Russians. It is a very different song that was wrote and sung by Sting and released November 1st, 1985 on the album The Dream of The Blue Turtles. Sting, otherwise known as Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, used to be the main songwriter and bass player for The Police as well.

            There are multiple historical references I want to explain briefly as well. Mr. Khrushchev was the Russian Premier , or leader of the Soviet Union at the time, J. Robert Oppenheimer was one of the head physicists that worked on the Manhattan Project, and Mr. Reagan, of course, was the President during the time Sting wrote this song.

            Now that the boring history is out of the way, back to the song! The song, Russians, is of course about the Russians like many songs produced during the Cold War, but this song has a different perspective on the idea of going to actual war with them. Sting writes that he "hope[s] the Russians love their children too." Until this song, I've never even considered that idea, but it really stuck with me, and though the Russians were considered "the bad guys" during that time period, they still loved their families. Now, whenever I think of countries like the old Soviet Union or even North Korea today, I look at them in a new light.

            The ideas behind the song hold true today, over 30 years later, and will hold true indefinitely. We are all humans, and we all care about our families and loved ones. Sting wonders how we can fight one another when all we're doing is hurting our children, with nuclear war being the best example.

            I hope you like the song this week! Check back next Friday for another.

Russians Lyrics:

In Europe and America, there's a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mr. Khrushchev said we will bury you
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too

How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy
There is no monopoly in common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the President
There's no such thing as a winnable war
It's a lie we don't believe anymore
Mr. Reagan says we will protect you
I don't subscribe to this point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us, me, and you
Is if the Russians love their children too

The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)

Nikita Khrushchev

Einstein and Oppenheimer working on the Manhattan Project