21st Century Schizoid Man | King Crimson Lyrics, Meaning & Videos
21st Century Schizoid ManKing Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴Blood rack, barbed wirePoliticians' funeral pyreInnocents raped with napalm fire
Death seed blind man's greedPoets starving, children bleed
Nothing he's got he really needsTwenty first century schizoid man
The lyrics of King Crimson's song "21st Century Schizoid Man" speak about the horrors and chaos of the modern world. The song begins with "Cat's foot iron claw," which is a metaphor for the brutality and violence that prevails in society. The next line, "Neurosurgeons scream for more," suggests a world where doctors and scientists are driven to push the limits of human capability, without regard for the consequences.
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The line, "At paranoia's poison door," hints at the psychological impact of living in such a world that is both insane and poisonous. The chorus, "Twenty first century schizoid man" describes how the modern world has created individuals who are neurotic and struggling to cope with the turbulent reality they are living in. The song talks about other issues such as war, politics, greed, and the exploitation of innocent people. Ultimately, the song highlights the madness and destruction that humans have created to their own detriment.
Cat's foot iron clawThe 21st century schizoid man is powerful like a cat with strong, oppressive claws.
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Neurosurgeons scream for moreThe 21st century schizoid man's behavior is so extreme, neurosurgeons (associated with surgical precision and control) are seeking more understanding about it with urgency.
At paranoia's poison doorThe schizoid man's mental state is associated with paranoia which is poisonous and can trap one behind a 'door' of fear.
Twenty first century schizoid manThe man described in the song is a product of the era and its pressures, making him isolated and mentally unstable.
Blood rack, barbed wireThe violence in the world has become so common that the image of blood on a torture device and the sharp barbed wire have lost their shock value.
Politicians' funeral pyreThe systems and beliefs created by politicians have become corrupt and are no longer serving society's needs.
Innocents raped with napalm fireThe innocent and powerless are being harmed by warfare and warfare tactics (like napalm fire) that disregard the value and sanctity of life.
Twenty first century schizoid manThe man described in the song is a product of the era and its pressures, making him isolated and mentally unstable.
Death seed blind man's greedThe world is producing a generation of people who are spiritually dead and only motivated by greed, leading to a sense of lost values and depravity.
Poets starving, children bleedArtistic and creative ways of living are not valued anymore, hence artists and poets are neglected and hungry while children are suffering and in pain.
Nothing he's got he really needsThe 21st century schizoid man is consumed by greed and obsession for material things, without a true sense of fulfillment or purpose.
Twenty first century schizoid manThe man described in the song is a product of the era and its pressures, making him isolated and mentally unstable.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing GroupWritten by: Robert Fripp, Michael Rex Giles, Greg Lake, Ian Mcdonald, Peter John Sinfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
