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21st Century Schizoid Man
Ozzy Osbourne Lyrics


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[King Crimson cover]

Cat's foot iron claw
Neuro-surgeons scream for more
At paranoia's poison door.
Twenty first century schizoid man.

Blood rack barbed wire
Polititians' funeral pyre
Innocents raped with napalm fire
Twenty first century schizoid man

Twenty first century
Twenty first century
Twenty first century
Twenty first century schizoid man

Death seed blind man's greed
Poets' starving children bleed
Nothing he's got he really needs
Twenty first century schizoid man.

Twenty first century
Twenty first century schizoid man
Twenty first century schizoid man

Welcome to the twenty first century

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 21st Century Schizoid Man by Ozzy Osbourne are a cover of the original song by King Crimson. The song paints a vivid picture of the chaos and destruction that exists in the modern world. The opening line "Cat's foot iron claw" suggests a sense of danger and unpredictability. The next line, "Neuro-surgeons scream for more," seems to imply a society obsessed with science and technology. This is further emphasized by the reference to "paranoia's poison door," hinting at a society that is afraid and distrustful.


The second verse continues to showcase the darkness of modernity, with the mention of "blood rack barbed wire" and "politicians' funeral pyre." The imagery suggests a world at war, with innocent people being victimized by those in power. The following line, "Innocents raped with napalm fire," is a particularly powerful indictment of the Vietnam War. The title of the song, "21st Century Schizoid Man," suggests that the individual in this society is fragmented, frenzied, and isolated.


The final verse talks about "death seed blind man's greed," which suggests that humanity has become obsessed with wealth and materialism at the cost of morality and the well-being of others. The "poets' starving children bleed" line suggests that creativity, innocence, and beauty are being destroyed by the harsh reality of the modern world. The final lines "Nothing he's got he really needs/Twenty first century schizoid man" are a sad indictment of contemporary society, with people being driven by greed, selfishness, and a lack of awareness.


Line by Line Meaning

Cat's foot iron claw
The grip of power is firm and unrelenting, like an iron claw.


Neuro-surgeons scream for more
The quest for knowledge and power in the field of medicine has gone too far, and some are blinded by their obsession.


At paranoia's poison door.
The line between sanity and madness has been blurred, and fear and suspicion are eating away at society.


Twenty first century schizoid man.
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Blood rack barbed wire
The brutality of war and oppression is symbolized by the imagery of blood, racks, and barbed wire.


Polititians' funeral pyre
The corrupt and power-hungry rulers of society have orchestrated their own downfall, and their funeral pyre is a metaphor for their ultimate destruction.


Innocents raped with napalm fire
The innocent victims of war are subjected to unimaginable horrors, like being burned alive by napalm.


Twenty first century schizoid man
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Twenty first century
The current era, characterized by rapid technological and social change.


Twenty first century
The current era, characterized by rapid technological and social change.


Twenty first century
The current era, characterized by rapid technological and social change.


Twenty first century schizoid man
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Death seed blind man's greed
The destructive force of humanity's greed and lust for power is leading to the downfall of civilization.


Poets' starving children bleed
Artistic expression and creativity are being stifled and neglected, and the innocent and vulnerable are suffering as a result.


Nothing he's got he really needs
Despite having everything material that he could ask for, he is still unfulfilled and mentally disturbed.


Twenty first century schizoid man.
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Twenty first century
The current era, characterized by rapid technological and social change.


Twenty first century schizoid man
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Twenty first century schizoid man
A person who embodies the confusion, anxiety, and fear brought on by the technological and social changes of the current era.


Welcome to the twenty first century
A sarcastic welcome to the current era, highlighting its many problems and issues.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Fripp, Michael Rex Giles, Greg Lake, Ian Mcdonald, Peter John Sinfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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