Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)

Mike + the Mechanics, Paul Carrack

About Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)

"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:
1994
4:13
413 
#4

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Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be closed 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 someday 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, 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


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" was released by Mike + the Mechanics in September 1985 as the first single off their self-titled debut studio album.
Artist Collaboration
The song is a notable collaboration, being sung by Paul Carrack who was an additional vocalist for the band but also had a successful solo career.
Chart Performance
The song was a commercial success. In the U.S., it peaked at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1986, and was also a top ten hit in the UK, reaching No.6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Movie Tie-In
The song's subtitle "On Dangerous Ground" references a British film of the same name released in 1986 for which Mike Rutherford, the band's founder, wrote the soundtrack.
Music Composition
Co-writers Mike Rutherford and BA Robertson, used a synthesizer and electric guitar to create the song's distinctive atmospheric sound.
Song Theme
"Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" is unique due to its ominous and cryptic lyrics, which many believe to be about a man in a dystopian future trying to warn his family about impending doom.
Album Success
The song helped in boosting the sale of the band's debut album "Mike + the Mechanics" which reached No.26 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Music Video
The music video for "Silent Running" is as enigmatic as the song itself. It features the band members and an ambiguous series of events that parallel the song's dystopian narrative.
Awards
Although "Silent Running" didn't win any individual awards, it played a substantial role in getting Mike + the Mechanics nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1987.
Lasting Impact
The song remains one of the band's most popular tracks and is a staple in their live performances. It continues to have relevance in modern popular culture, being used in various movie soundtracks and TV shows.

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