Silent Running
Paul Carrack Lyrics

The lyrics of Paul Carrack's "Silent Running" (1985) portray an apocalyptic scenario in which the singer urges people to take shelter and reject the official narratives of their leaders. The first verse advises taking children to the cellar as a violent conflict approaches, and disregarding the deceitful messages of the church and state. Instead, the singer claims to speak on behalf of a "high command," although the identity and goals of this entity remain vague. The second verse provides practical instructions, such as the location of a gun and ammunition to use only in emergencies, but also counsels relying on divine guidance. The third verse calls for blind loyalty to a flag and for teaching the next generation to dissent secretly until they eventually rebel against their passive predecessors.

One possible interpretation of the song is that it criticizes the political and social complacency that led to or resulted from the Cold War. The references to shelter, weaponry, and propaganda evoke the fear of a nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union, while the call for rebellion against a repressive regime echoes the uprisings in Eastern Europe and Latin America during that period. The "high command" may be a symbolic representation of an enlightened elite or an extraterrestrial force, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos and desperation.

Another interpretation is that the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith in authority, and the importance of questioning and resisting it, even at the risk of being ostracized or targeted. The imagery of hiding, praying, and indoctrinating appears to be inspired by the experiences of the underground resistance movements in Nazi-occupied Europe, who had to rely on secret networks of communication and trust in uncertain times. The singer's repeated plea for someone to hear him running and calling could be seen as a plea for solidarity and responsiveness in the face of an uncertain future.