Cruise

David Gilmour's song 'Cruise' is a poignant exploration of the complex relationship between admiration and disillusionment. The lyrics are addressed to 'Cruise,' which can be interpreted as a metaphor for a powerful entity or force, possibly referencing the Cruise missile, a symbol of military power during the Cold War era. Gilmour's use of the second person creates an intimate dialogue, expressing both reverence and skepticism towards this entity. The song's tone oscillates between admiration for the protection and power 'Cruise' offers and a deep-seated fear of its potential for destruction.

The lyrics 'Cruise, you are making me sing / Now you have taken me under your wing' suggest a sense of awe and dependency. Gilmour acknowledges the allure and influence of 'Cruise,' likening it to a guiding force. However, this admiration is tinged with a sense of inevitability and loss, as seen in 'Burning out fast like a shooting star.' This line captures the fleeting nature of such power and the potential for it to lead to destruction rather than salvation.

The recurring themes of 'Power and Glory, Justice and Right' reflect a yearning for moral clarity and protection. Gilmour questions whether 'Cruise' can truly deliver on these promises, especially in the lines 'Will you save our children, will you save our land / And protect us from all the things we can't understand?' The song ends on a note of uncertainty, pondering who will be there to turn to when the 'hard rain falls,' a metaphor for inevitable hardship or conflict. This duality of devotion and disillusionment encapsulates the complex emotions surrounding reliance on powerful entities, be they technological, political, or ideological.