Runrig began in 1973 as a three-piece named the "Run Rig Dance Band", its members comprising Calum Macdonald and Rory Macdonald, and their friend, accordionist Blair Douglas. The line-up played its first gig at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. Donnie Munro joined the following year and the band started to expand outside its native Skye. Douglas left the band in late 1974 and was replaced by Robert Macdonald, with Campbell Gunn joining for a brief spell in 1976. This line-up continued until 1978, when Blair Douglas re-joined and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Jones became guitarist, both displacing Macdonald. This lasted until the following year when Douglas left again to pursue a solo career. 1980 saw the arrival of drummer Iain Bayne (ex-New Celeste) and 1981 that of keyboard player Richard Cherns. Cherns left in February 1986 and was replaced by ex-Big Country member Peter Wishart. This formed what became known as the classic line-up for the next 11 years.
In 1997, lead singer Donnie Munro left the band for a career in politics, but later resumed his musical career to become a solo artist. The remaining members contemplated splitting up, but after a long search they replaced Donnie with Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro. This issue has divided Runrig's fan base; some argue that the loss of Donnie's highly distinctive vocals and his ability to sing in both Gaelic and English has not been truly compensated for by Bruce, whose vocal style is much lighter and who is not a Gaelic speaker. Others claim that the fact that Bruce has such a different voice has allowed Runrig to evolve musically in ways that it might not have done were Donnie still with them.
In 2001, Peter Wishart, the band's keyboard player, left after being elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Tayside North for the Scottish National Party. Brian Hurren stepped in to take Wishart's place in the band.
The band "pulled down the curtain" on their 45 year career with a final concert in Stirling on 18th August 2018, titled "The Last Dance".
Membership
- Bruce Guthro (Lead vocals, guitar)
- Rory Macdonald (Songwriter, bass, vocals)
- Calum Macdonald (Songwriter, percussion)
- Malcolm Jones[ (Guitars, pipes, accordion)
- Iain Bayne (Drums)
- Brian Hurren (Keyboards, vocals)
Past members
- Donnie Munro (Lead vocals, guitar)
- Peter Wishart (Keyboards)
- Richard Cherns (Keyboards)
- Blair Douglas (Accordion, keyboards)
- Robert Macdonald (Accordion)
- Campbell Gunn (Vocals)
Satellite Flood
Runrig Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sharing the old morality with the olden girls
Her only guide was the life in her hands
Ways that only the wise could understand
Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown
So they take you down to the global stream
With the third and fourth worlds, the world extremes
Then they home their lasers in on you
And when they hit you they stick like glue
Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
From the skies like rain
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown
It's the video beat and the suicide smile
Sex in the wilderness mile on mile
Every hotel room and every bar
American girls and American cars
Satellite Flood
It's a world crusade
And it's pouring down
From the skies like rain
Satellite flood
From a nuclear town
If you don't stem the tide
You'll surely drown
The lyrics to "Satellite Flood" by Runrig are a critique of the technological advancement and globalization that was sweeping the world in the 1980s, particularly in relation to the Cold War arms race. The song is narrated from the perspective of an old woman who has watched the world change around her, and who is now grappling with the implications of the seismic shifts she sees taking place.
The woman represents the old morality of the past, which is being eroded by a new world order that is fueled not by wisdom, but by technology and power. The "life in her hands" signifies her connection to the natural world, which is being threatened by the satellite flood that is pouring down from the skies like rain. The satellite flood is a metaphor for the information overload and global connectivity that is making it increasingly difficult for individuals to navigate the world and maintain their individuality.
The last stanza of the song is particularly poignant in its critique of American culture, with its emphasis on materialism, sex, and consumerism. The American girls and cars represent a culture that is infiltrating every corner of the world, homogenizing diverse cultures and erasing the differences that make each one unique. The ultimate message of the song is clear: if we don't stem the tide of globalization and technological advancement, we will surely drown in its wake.
Line by Line Meaning
She's late in years in the olden world
The woman referenced in this song is elderly and belongs to a time in the past that is long gone.
Sharing the old morality with the olden girls
The woman identified shares traditional values and beliefs with women of her generation.
Her only guide was the life in her hands
The woman was guided by her own experiences and intuition, having no one else to rely on for guidance.
Ways that only the wise could understand
The woman's choices and actions may not be comprehended by everyone, but only those who possess wisdom can truly understand them.
Satellite Flood
The song's title, which refers to a phenomenon that could represent the saturation of the world with electronic waves, information and control.
It's a world crusade
This phenomenon is worldwide in scope and represents the coordinated efforts of powerful entities that have come together to achieve this goal.
And it's pouring down
The saturation of the world with electronic technology and messages is intense and overwhelming.
From the skies like rain
The electronic flood is sweeping through the world from the skies - from satellites that transmit the signals and the people who control them.
Satellite flood
Reiteration of the song's title and main theme.
From a nuclear town
The source of this flood of technological and informational impact is from cities or communities that have strong nuclear industries or are responsible for nuclear technology development.
If you don't stem the tide
If nothing is done to stop the saturation of the world with electronic messages and information, the result will be disastrous for those who are unable to adapt and protect themselves.
You'll surely drown
Those who are not able to protect themselves from the overwhelming impact of the electronic flood will be consumed by it and ultimately suffocate or lose their way.
So they take you down to the global stream
The people controlling the electronic flood will take you to a location where the impact of their electronic signals and messages is amplified and intensified.
With the third and fourth worlds, the world extremes
Those who live in third-world or fourth-world countries will be the hardest hit by this electronic flood, as they are the ones who are most vulnerable to its impact.
Then they home their lasers in on you
The controllers of the electronic messages and signals will focus their efforts on those who they identify as being most vulnerable or in need of their message and impact.
And when they hit you they stick like glue
Once the electronic messages and signals have found their target, it is almost impossible to escape their grip or influence.
It's the video beat and the suicide smile
The messages and signals that are being transmitted through this electronic flood are insidious and manipulative, seducing people into believing that they need what's being offered even if it's not good for them.
Sex in the wilderness mile on mile
The sexual messages that are contained within this electronic flood are rampant and are being disseminated every day, from one corner of the world to another.
Every hotel room and every bar
No place is exempt from the impact of the electronic flood, and even places that were once considered off-limits to such messages and signals are now being inundated by them.
American girls and American cars
This electronic flood is emblematic of the spread of American culture and values throughout the world, which could be viewed positively or negatively depending on one's perspective.
Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gerti E
Love this song! :)))
333missmusiclover
I saw them live in Aalborg, Denmark recently. It was magic :-)))
Mark straitsight
Picked it up on I heart radio really an awesome song for them. Really good job.
Peter Voigt
Really a great Song!!!
Nachtfüchsin
Best song while driving a train to another city
denholm russell
best ever
Marcelonator Lp
I know the song since 2005