RUSSIANS

STING - 1985

11.9.4List the effects of foreign policy on domestic

policies and vice versa (e.g., protests during the war in Vietnam, the "nuclear freeze" movement).

In Europe and America, there's a growing feeling of hysteria

Conditioned to respond to all the threatsIn the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets

Mr. Khrushchev said we will bury youI don't subscribe to his point of view

It would be such an ignorant thing to doIf the Russians love their children too

How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy

There is no monopoly of common senseOn either side of the political fence

We share the same biologyRegardless of ideology

Believe me when I say to youI hope the Russians love their children too

There is no historical precedentTo put the words in the mouth of a the

PresidentThere's no such thing as a winnable war

It's a lie we don't believe anymoreMr. Reagan says we will protect you

I don't subscribe to this point-of-viewBelieve me when I say to you

I hope the Russians love their children too 

We share the same biologyRegardless of ideology

What might say us, me and youIs that the Russians love their children too

Song’s ImportanceIn this song, Sting expresses his political opinions about the arms race during the 1980s, the relations between the United States and the Soviet Union with the implications for the world if the two nations do not agree to peaceful coexistence. Historical BackgroundThe arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union was a struggle to outdo each other in nuclear weapon technological improvements and productive capabilities. Creating increasingly effective offensive and defensive weapons and armaments would, consequently, secure military and political advantages. It was believe that there were enough weapons to blow up the Earth 17 1/2 times at the pinnacle of the arms race. Vocabularyrhetorical - fancy and persuasive talkingideology - set of opinions and/or beliefs

QUESTIONS1.   What does Sting mean when he says,

"We share the same biology regardless of ideology?"

2.   What is Sting's point-of-view concerning the statements of the former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushev and former President Reagan?

3.   Why does Sting keep repeating, "I hope the Russians love their children too?"

ATHENA

THE WHO (PETE TOWNSHEND) 1982

11.9.4List the effects of foreign policy on domestic

policies and vice versa (e.g., protests during the war in Vietnam, the "nuclear freeze" movement).

Athena, I had no idea how much I'd need her; In peaceful times I hold her close and feed her; My heart starts palpitating when I think my guess was wrong. But I think I'll get along; She's just a girl - she's a bomb Athena, all I ever wanted to do is please her; My life has been so settled and she's the reason; Just one word from her and my troubles are long gone; But I think I'll get along; She's just a girl - she's a bomb (CHORUS)Just a girl, just a girl; Just a girl, just a girl; Just a girl, just a girl; She's just a girl

Athena, my heart feels like a shattered glass in an acid bath. I felt like one of those flattened ants you find on a crazy path. I'd topped myself to give her time she didn't need to ask; She's just a girl - she's a bomb Consumed, there was a beautiful white horse on a dream stage. He had a snake the size of a sewer pipe living in his rib cage. I feel like a pickled priest who was being flambéed. You were requisitioned Blondie; She's just a girl - she's a bomb

I'm happy, I'm ecstatic -- Just a girl, just a girl; Just a girl, just a girl; Just a girl, just a girl; She's just a girl

Look into a face of a child; Measure how long you have smiled; Before the memory claimed; How long would children remain? How long would children remain? Athena, you picked me up by my lapels and screamed "leave her"; It felt like waking up in heaven on an empty meter; And now you're stuck with a castrated leader; And now I hate that creep, I didn't mean that She's a bomb, I just said it, She's a bomb, I didn't mean it please, She's a bomb Athena, I had no idea how much I need her; My life's been so settled and she's the reason; Just one word from her and my troubles are long gone; But I get along; She's just a girl, she's a bomb; She's just a girl, she's a bomb

Song’s ImportanceThe message of this song is one of warning. The writer is trying to explain that the pacification of "Athena" (the A Bomb) is of the utmost importance for our society.  Historical BackgroundProtesting nuclear weaponry escalated in the 1970s and 1980s throughout the western world. There were many anti-nuclear concerts and rallies held by various organizations such as Green Peace.  Vocabularypalpitating - rapid and irregular pulsationcastrated - to remove the testicles (slang for weak or incapable)

QUESTIONS1.What does "My heart starts

palpitating when I think my guess was wrong" mean?

2.In the fourth stanza, what does all that descriptive lyrics mean?

3.Why does the writer apologize for say "I hate that creep?"