Russians
Ê·Í¡Sting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mister Krushchev said, "We will bury you"
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It'd 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?
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
Mister 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
But what might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too
Sting's "Russians" is a political commentary that critiques the growing feeling of tension between the Soviet Union and the Western world during the height of the Cold War. Despite the widespread fear at the time, Sting calls for a more empathetic approach toward the Soviet people by asserting that they too love their children and wish for peace. The song's lyrics begin by acknowledging the ways in which people in Europe and America have been conditioned to respond to the supposed threats presented in the media by the Soviets' speeches. Through the lines "Mister Krushchev said, 'We will bury you'", Sting points out the heated rhetoric from the Soviet Union that was constantly demonized in Western media. However, in the next line, he expresses a different view, stating that he doesn't believe in the misanthropic idea that a nuclear attack would be an appropriate response.
The second verse critiques President Reagan's hawkish stance towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War, echoing the same sentiment towards emotional manipulation that was prevalent under Mr. Krushchev's speeches. Sting dismisses Reagan's claim that a war could be won and argues that both sides share a common biology and ultimately, the same fundamental desires for peace and security. It is interesting to note that one of the most compelling and iconic aspects of "Russians" is the way in which Sting uses the famous melody from Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet as a backdrop for the lyrics. This melody is the theme of the "Dance of the Knights" scene, which is otherwise known as the "Montagues and Capulets" theme. This was a notable choice made by Sting and would have been recognizable by many listeners, further emphasizing the song's theme of shared cultural heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
In Europe and America there's a growing feeling of hysteria
People across Europe and America are becoming increasingly anxious and overly fearful
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
We've been trained to react to any perceived danger
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
This fear is stoked by the speeches of the Russian government
Mister Krushchev said, "We will bury you"
The Soviet leader threatened to defeat the US
I don't subscribe to this point of view
I don't agree with this kind of thinking
It'd be such an ignorant thing to do
It would be foolish to follow this path
If the Russians love their children too
Surely the Russians, like us, care about and want to protect their children
How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
As a parent, I'm worried about how to protect my child from nuclear weapons
There is no monopoly on common sense
Everyone, regardless of their political opinions, has a basic sense of what makes sense
On either side of the political fence
It doesn't matter if you're left or right wing
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
Despite our political differences, we're all human
Believe me when I say to you
Trust me when I tell you
I hope the Russians love their children too
I really hope that the Russians, just like Americans, care deeply about their families
There is no historical precedent
There's no previous example of this happening
To put the words in the mouth of the president?
How can we trust what our leaders are saying?
There's no such thing as a winnable war
All wars come at a cost and ultimately, no one really wins
It's a lie we don't believe anymore
We've stopped believing the propaganda surrounding war and conflict
Mister Reagan says, "We will protect you"
The US president promised to keep Americans safe
But what might save us, me and you
Instead, what could really keep us both safe
Is if the Russians love their children too
Is if we could all come to the understanding that we're all just individual people who care about their families and want peace
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Serge Prokofieff, Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BMF6889
I served 21 years in the US Marine Corps as an infantry officer with 3 years in combat. I was a Marine platoon commander in the Vietnam War from 1968-69. The inspection of the aircraft was a joke. There were countless times in Vietnam that we had to clear buildings and other areas of booby-traps. We didn't just walk through casually looking to the left and right. We had very carefully inspect everything in detail while mindful that there could be explosive devices anywhere. And if the plane was being checked for explosives, a dog would have been used.
I also spent 2 years in Latin America supporting counter-insurgency operations with the host nation. Americans were high value targets and so I had two host nation bodyguards to protect me and my vehicle. We used a large dental-like mirror to check for explosives under the vehicle when it had been left unattended for a while. Any deliveries to my house were inspected before being allowed in.
Prigozhin had to know that Putin would try to kill him and so I would have expected that he had his plane inspected in detail as well as anything loaded not the plane. Additionally, any pilot that is flying Prigozhin would do a careful preflight inspection of the plane before beginning to taxi. I used to be a private pilot and the claim by Russian media that an explosive could have been placed in the wheel well doesn't pass the smell test. That would be one area the pilot would have checked before starting the engines. On top of that, Prigozhin's head of security was on the plane as well and I can't believe the plane wasn't checked in detail before the flight.
Finally, it's highly suspicious that Russia won't allow Brazil or the company that manufactured the plane to participate in the accident investigation. It is standard practice worldwide for the nation and company that manufactured the aircraft to participate in the investigations. If a Russian built aircraft crashed in a foreign country it would demand to participate in the investigation. This is a red flag that Russia is most likely want to ensure that the report concluded that it was an explosive inside the plane with the video and photographic evidence strongly suggest it was downed by an anti-aircraft missile.
Putin will likely get away with the assassination as he has with all other assassinations Russia has been suspected of carrying out. But the world will know Putin ordered the plane to be shot down.
@Chereese0808
So glad you're taking weekends off.
Your physical and mental health are most important over anything.
Plus you're irreplaceable and we love you Artur. 🤗
@alexiskiri9693
They hoisted the Ukrainian Flag on Independence Day on Crimea for the first time since 2014. This is an important action. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
@ezekielbrockmann114
Glory to the Heros!
@therogueadmiral
And blew up a bunch of important equipment to boot.
@73andy73
It's symbolism. It's utterly unimportant. It's how those in power influence and manipulate the lesser educated masses. It's nothing but emotion.
Blowing up the radar station... that is important.
@73andy73
@@Jayare77 Objectively? Yes. It was irelevant, as is all symbolism.
I do admit symbolism has an affect though. Unfortunately. If it didn't it would not be a "thing". Putin built an entire society on top a foundation of symbolism. Like I said, it's an easy way to lead the uneducated and gullible masses.
In the Doolittle raid, men died, for no reason other then to give people back home some warm fuzzies. You view that as a positive thing. I don't. I admit it was good for US morale, but I don't think it changed the final outcomes at all. I think it primarily shows how flawed we as a species are .
@amritdragoness6175
@@73andy73 Symbolism is super important in war, it tends to be used to help moral way more then you would think, It gets people that want to surrender hope that, "Hey we can do this" That gets people wanting to do their part, it makes people give that little extra push. That push tends to win wars.
@SlavaUkraine-xc2xj
I'm so proud of the AFU! Glory to the Heroes! 🔱🇺🇦💙💛
@andreacarter8202
Slava Ukraini from California. 🇺🇦❤️🇺🇸
@sanofarz
Average American