We Are the Dead Lyrics

Lyric discussion by WolfTickets 

Cover art for We Are the Dead lyrics by David Bowie

This one is most definitely about Winston and Julia in "1984", a couple who are two of the only real rebels in a totalitarian, freakishly paranoid and emotionless society. The line, "Son, we want you, Be elusive but don't walk far," is especially a clue, as it makes reference to O'Brien, a character in the book who poses as an insurrectionary leader to attract the couple, but is then outed as a member of the Ministry of Truth, a group that tortures and occasionally kills anyone daring to question Big Brother.

Should be noted that O'Brien works for Big Brother in the Ministry of Truth, which fabricates lies, but he also works for the Ministry of Love, which is the torture department.