"Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" is a pop rock 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 a single, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reaching number 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, where it stayed for five weeks. "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" was the first single released by Mike + The Mechanics. Paul Carrack provided lead vocals on the song. The phrases "silent running" and "dangerous ground" are not included in the lyrics; instead, the chorus repeats "can you hear me running?" The song's title refers to the 1986 movie On Dangerous Ground, which was titled Choke Canyon in the US. The song's video features a few clips from the film, but primarily features a completely unrelated story which follows a young boy discovering a glowing cube in his house.
Lyrics:
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