The Man With X-Ray Eyes
Bauhaus Lyrics

"The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" by Bauhaus is a haunting and enigmatic song that speaks to the often-distorted and overwhelming nature of being human. The first verse speaks of shoes that nobody wants to wear, indicating a sense of discomfort and unease. This passage also makes reference to a "red fist curled 'round the house," suggesting that there may be a looming or visceral presence in the singer's surroundings. Following this is a series of seemingly unrelated phrases, including "chocolate power," "atomic open house," and "your power knows no bounds." Together, these lines create a sense of frenzied confusion and disorientation. The subsequent verse makes reference to "the borrowed course," "dreadful birds," and "guilty clouds," all of which suggest a sense of burden or guilt. In the chorus, the singer repeatedly asks for their eyes to be wiped away, indicating either a desire to forget or a sense of being overwhelmed by what they have seen.

Overall, the song creates an eerie and uneasy atmosphere, using disjointed phrases and unsettling imagery to convey a sense of disorientation and paranoia. The repeated reference to wiping away one's eyes suggests that the singer is struggling to make sense of their surroundings, and may be trying to disassociate from the reality they find themselves in.