I’m surprised no one has seen the obvious, either at the time the song was released, or since. When Buckingham wrote this (2000), the “Peacekeeper” nuclear missile program created by Reagan and hated by Clinton was scheduled to be scrapped. When the song was released three years later, President Bush had finished gutting the project. The song is a homily; an attempt to comfort the poor, unused missile; ergo…
“We make all of our sons the same”
(The progeny of all nations are equally vulnerable,)
“Every one will suffer the fire we've made”
(Each and every individual will die,)
“They all explode just the same”
(Regardless of which side the combatants are on,)
“And there's no going back on the plans we've made”
(There is no way to recall a missile once launched.)
“Peacekeeper take your time”
(Don’t worry, your time will come.)
“Wait for the dark of night”
(You’ll be used when least expected.)
“Soon all the suns will rise”
(Thermonuclear explosions are small stars like the interior of our sun, about 100,000,000 degrees.)
…etcetera. Continue in this manner and the meaning will be unmistakable. “Love is the sweet surprise.” Not sure what that line means, but it’s bound to be something dark, and have nothing whatsoever to do with love.
I’m surprised no one has seen the obvious, either at the time the song was released, or since. When Buckingham wrote this (2000), the “Peacekeeper” nuclear missile program created by Reagan and hated by Clinton was scheduled to be scrapped. When the song was released three years later, President Bush had finished gutting the project. The song is a homily; an attempt to comfort the poor, unused missile; ergo…
“We make all of our sons the same” (The progeny of all nations are equally vulnerable,) “Every one will suffer the fire we've made” (Each and every individual will die,) “They all explode just the same” (Regardless of which side the combatants are on,) “And there's no going back on the plans we've made” (There is no way to recall a missile once launched.)
“Peacekeeper take your time” (Don’t worry, your time will come.) “Wait for the dark of night” (You’ll be used when least expected.) “Soon all the suns will rise” (Thermonuclear explosions are small stars like the interior of our sun, about 100,000,000 degrees.)
…etcetera. Continue in this manner and the meaning will be unmistakable. “Love is the sweet surprise.” Not sure what that line means, but it’s bound to be something dark, and have nothing whatsoever to do with love.