Silent Running

Paul Carrack

About Silent Running

"Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" is a song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album. It was also released as the band's first single, peaking at number 6 on 8 March 1986 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, where it stayed for five weeks. It reached No. 21 in the band's native United Kingdom. Paul Carrack provided lead vocals on the song. Alan Murphy was hired as a session guitarist and provided lead guitar on the track. The song's original title was simply "Silent Running"; the name extension was given when the song was chosen to appear in the 1986 movie On Dangerous Ground, which was titled Choke Canyon in the United States. The song was banned by the BBC during the Gulf War due to its address of war, nationalism and religion, as well as a direct reference to weaponry in the line, "There's a gun and ammunition just inside the doorway."The Protomen released a cover of the song as a mash-up with their own song, "Breaking Out" in 2012 as a B-side to their single "I Drove All Night", with an extended cover of the song later appearing as the final song on their 2015 album, The Cover Up. 


Year:
2009
124 
#1

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Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be close at hand
Don't believe the church and state
And everything they tell you
Believe in me, I'm with the high command

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

There's a gun and ammunition
Just inside the doorway
Use it only in emergency
Better you should pray to God
The Father and the Spirit
Will guide you and protect from up here

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel
Teach the children quietly
For some day sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

Can you hear me running (can you hear me calling you?)
(Can you hear me) hear me calling you?
(Can you hear me running) hear me running babe?
(Can you hear me running) hear me running?
Calling you, calling you

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Paul Carrack

Paul Melvyn Carrack (born 22 April 1951) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who has recorded as both a solo artist and as a member of several popular bands. The BBC has called Carrack "The Man with the Golden Voice", and described him as a "national treasure."Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic characterised him as "perhaps the best blue-eyed soul singer the [pub rock] scene produced." more »

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Written by: B.A. Robertson, Mike Rutherford

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Band Creation
Mike + The Mechanics was a side project formed in 1985 by Mike Rutherford, the guitarist and bassist for the classic rock band Genesis.
Leading Vocals
Although Mike Rutherford was an instrumental part of the band's formation, the group featured multiple vocalists. Paul Carrack sang the lead vocals for "Silent Running."
Title Origin
The title, "Silent Running", is believed to reference a 1972 science fiction film with the same name.
Top Chart Performance
"Silent Running" was the band's first track and hit. It was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Album Debut
The song appeared on Mike + The Mechanics' self-titled debut album in 1985.
Song Meaning
The song is often interpreted as a cold war-era piece, emphasizing communication breakdown and fearing an unseen enemy.
Music Video Storyline
The music video, like many of the time period, tells a story. It features a father communicating a message to his son from his space station before sealing a locket containing a hologram of the Earth and sending it to the spacecraft's surface.
Live Performances
Mike + the Mechanics have included this song in most of their live performances, often using it to open their concerts.
Reception and Legacy
"Silent Running" has been acclaimed for Bennett and Carrack's powerful vocal performances and Rutherford's strong work on guitars. It has been regarded as one of the best songs in the band's catalogue and is one of their best-known works.
Cover Versions
Several artists and bands over the years have covered "Silent Running," continuing to keep the popularity of the song alive.
UK Chart Performance
While the song reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, it only reached number 21 in the UK charts.

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