The lyrics of “Wind of Change” reinforce the emotional and political themes associated with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The song follows the singer’s walk through Moscow as he notices changes around him and imagines a future in which people can live together more freely. He moves from the Moskva River to Gorky Park, describing the peaceful atmosphere and the feeling that something new is beginning (Carter). These references place the narrator in the Soviet Union and show him observing political change in one of the main Cold War powers. When he sings “listening to the wind of change,” the wind represents the growing desire for freedom and the major social changes occurring at the time. As the song continues, the singer reflects on how people who were once divided might now “be so close like brothers.” This can refer to world peace in general, but it also fits the unification of East and West Germany after decades of separation. The song uses many hopeful words—such as “Glory,” “Dream,” and “Children of Tomorrow”—to create a positive, uplifting feeling (Ahlers and Jacke 59), while the word “Soldier” briefly introduces the political and military tension of the Cold War. Overall, the song feels like a celebration of a new beginning. However, the lyrics remain vague, relying mostly on metaphors rather than specific historical details. This ambiguity may be one reason why “Wind of Change” became so successful.

Nowadays, “Wind of Change” is suspected by some as political manipulation. In the podcast Wind of Change, the host Patrick Radden Keefe sought evidence that “Wind of Change” was created by the CIA as part of a soft-power strategy during the Cold War. Although there is no conclusive evidence of the rumor, it reflects the song’s unusual political weight. A piece of music with little political influence would not generate such suspicion. In addition, the suspicion reminds people of the power that music can have. Looking back at history, there are many instances of the government using music to manipulate the political atmosphere. For example, Soviet authorities heavily regulated rock and roll, fearing its ability to inspire political dissent among young people. Additionally, Rock' N' roll, as in the Soviet Union government’s opinion, is a source of corruption from capitalism. It is a threat to the country due to its ability to earn huge profits and attention from traditional Russian music that supports communism. Conservative leader Khrushchev said, “We need music that inspires, that calls for heroic deeds and for constructive labor” (Verspieren 11). Going back to “Wind of Change,” it is normal to suspect it of being a political manipulation, given its strong musical potential, not to mention its huge popularity.