THREE MONTHS after Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party in the USSR in March 1985, English pop musician Sting released his solo debut The Dream of the Blue Turtles, which included the hit single 'Russians.' In the next couple years, Gorbachev revolutionized the Soviet system, encouraging a policy of 'openness' (or glasnost) that led to a freer media to attack the government, and an economic 'restructuring' (or perestroika), which accidentally paved the way toward the fall of the USSR. The Cold War's first steps toward ending began, then, around the time of the release of Sting's stoic 'Russians.' Clearly Gorbachev was listening.
Though melodically flat, Sting's lyric held no punches. Take this in:
'In Europe and America
There's a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mr Krushchev said ''We will bury you''
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too'
Despite Sting's fascination with Soviet quotes that dated (at the time) three decades, it seems clear Sting played a compelling part in ending the Cold War.
It's up to our viewers to vote whether Sting deserves a Ribbon of Merit. Please let us know what you think.
FBO Admin
Mobile/Semi-Permanent HQ -- Brooklyn, NY
3 comments:
Ironically, I was listening to "Englishman in New York" while reading this. I would have to vote "Yes" to Sting's ending the Cold War. I'm pretty sure that he singlehandedly saved all of the rainforests on the plant as well.
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