PSI Power
Hawkwind Lyrics


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When I was a kid in school
They showed me symbols on a card
Then they sent them from a locked and bolted room
I had to fake that it was hard
Circle, square, triangle, waves
I got crystal clear by the hour
And I said "may I please take a rest?"
I didn't want them to know I was possessed with
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at
I know what you mean
I get all the secrets that you'd rather keep
When I was a teenage kid
And I hung around the streets
I could see inside the mind of any girl
That I wanted to meet
Circle, square, triangle, waves
They are open to me like a flower
How would you like to have your mind caressed
Can't you feel that I'd possessed with
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power
PSI power
PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at
I know what you mean
I get all the secrets you'd rather keep
It's like a radio you can't switch off
There's no way to get peace of mind
I would like to live in a lead-lined room
And leave all this PSI Power behind
Circle, square, triangle, waves
It's a gift that soon turned sour
Why don't they let me get rest
Too much to understand
Too much to digest
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at




I know what you mean
I get all the secrets you'd rather keep

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song, "PSI Power" by Hawkwind, describe the ability of the singer to read minds and perceive the thoughts and secrets of others, a talent he refers to as PSI power. The song seems to be a commentary on the potential of human psychic abilities and the frustration of being burdened with such a gift. The singer claims to have been taught to "read" symbols on a card as a child but found it too easy, and had to pretend the task was difficult to avoid unwanted attention. He describes how he was able to peer into the minds of girls he was attracted to while hanging out on the streets as a teenager. However, the constant flow of thoughts from others proved overwhelming and he wishes to escape the constant barrage of information, seeking peace and solitude in a lead-lined room. The song ends on a frustrated and melancholic note, with the singer asking why he cannot get any rest from his psychic powers that he finds too much to understand and digest.


Overall, the song seems to be commenting on the potential of human psychic abilities and the discomfort that could come with such abilities. The singer seems conflicted and weighed down by his abilities, despite their usefulness in certain situations. The song suggests that psychic powers are something that can be difficult to manage and control, and can become overwhelming for the person who possesses them.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was a kid in school
Recalling childhood experiences


They showed me symbols on a card
Being introduced to symbols and patterns associated with PSI


Then they sent them from a locked and bolted room
Working in isolation to develop an understanding of PSI symbols


I had to fake that it was hard
Concealing natural PSI talent


Circle, square, triangle, waves
Meditating on common PSI symbols


I got crystal clear by the hour
Developing a keen understanding of PSI powers over time


And I said "may I please take a rest?"
Fatigue resulting from intensive PSI practice


I didn't want them to know I was possessed with PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power
Keeping PSI powers a secret from others


I can read your mind like a magazine I see where you're at I know what you mean I get all the secrets that you'd rather keep
Describing PSI power as a way of understanding human thoughts and emotions


When I was a teenage kid And I hung around the streets I could see inside the mind of any girl That I wanted to meet
Using PSI powers to understand others in social settings


They are open to me like a flower
PSI symbols become clearer over time


How would you like to have your mind caressed Can't you feel that I'd possessed with PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power
PSI power is both fascinating and daunting


It's like a radio you can't switch off There's no way to get peace of mind
PSI power is always present and can feel overwhelming


I would like to live in a lead-lined room And leave all this PSI Power behind
Yearning for relief from the burden of PSI power


Why don't they let me get rest Too much to understand Too much to digest PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power PSI power
Feeling mentally exhausted and drained by PSI practice


I can read your mind like a magazine I see where you're at I know what you mean I get all the secrets you'd rather keep
Reiterating the depth of understanding that comes with PSI power




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dave Brock, Robert Newton Calvert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sderoski1

When I was a kid in school
They showed me symbols on a card
Then they sent them from a locked and bolted room
I had to fake that it was hard
Circle, square, triangle, waves
I got crystal clear by the hour
And I said "may I please take a rest?"
I didn't want them to know I was possessed with
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at
I know what you mean
I get all the secrets that you'd rather keep
When I was a teenage kid
And I hung around the streets
I could see inside the mind of any girl
That I wanted to meet
Circle, square, triangle, waves
They are open to me like a flower
How would you like to have your mind caressed
Can't you feel that I'd possessed with
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power
PSI power
PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at
I know what you mean
I get all the secrets you'd rather keep
It's like a radio you can't switch off
There's no way to get peace of mind
I would like to live in a lead-lined room
And leave all this PSI Power behind
Circle, square, triangle, waves
It's a gift that soon turned sour
Why don't they let me get rest
Too much to understand
Too much to digest
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
PSI power PSI power
I can read your mind like a magazine
I see where you're at
I know what you mean
I get all the secrets you'd rather keep



All comments from YouTube:

@kevinrocks1

and dave's rock solid rhythm guitar work... love his tone on this. Huw is just a monster here!!!!

@mattthetoadlicker

Yeah, he was furious with Nik for winding him up and he absolutely slaughters it

@skiddi_botti

I love Huw’s guitar work. An unsung genius. RIP

@ufoenigma7858

R.I.P Nik Turner and Huw LLoyd Langton

@stanleyknif

RIP Nik Turner

@philreeves7361

Dave Brock on guitar. Dead Fred (Phil Reeves) on Hammond Organ, EMS Synthi, Violin.
Harvey Bainbridge on Bass and Keyboards. Huw Lloyd Langton on lead Guitar.
Clive Deamer on Drums. Nik Turner on Sax and frontman antics. everyone sang on this tour exept Clive. the vocal harmony blend in 1984 was realy spot on.

(NOTE) Cop The lead playing on this song, pure brilliance. RIP Huw. xx

@Quelqueshue

Too right Fred, brilliant performance the mix of everything was perfect.

@charmainattwood977

Cheers Phil. Some of my happiest nights have been listening to Hawkwind 🤩

@cricket8646

Best lead player Hawkwind ever had. Very underrated !!

@jdsbeau1

Huwkwind !

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