Wanted Man
Howie Beck Lyrics
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You should see what they've done, it would make you shed your skin
That was done a long time ago
The black-eyed dog came 'round that night
Took what was wrong and made it alright
You're a wanted man
They say it could have been fame
Ten thousand feet below
The black-eyed dog came 'round that night
Took what was wrong and made it alright
You're a wanted man
You'd never make it in a world like today
Just ask me and i'll tell you: don't stay awake
My way has broken my day
Gone away i'm making my way back home
The black-eyed dog came 'round that night
Took what was wrong and made it alright
You're a wanted man
The song "Wanted Man" by Howie Beck tells the story of a man who is wanted, but does not specify what he is wanted for. The lyrics suggest that the man did not win something and something went wrong in his brain, causing him to become a wanted man. The black-eyed dog symbolizes the man's inner demons and the struggle he faces to make things right.
The lyrics suggest that the man is haunted by his past and struggles to find his place in the world. He is advised by the singer of the song to not stay awake and to make his way back home. There is a sense of melancholy and regret throughout the song, as the man longs for a simpler time when everything was alright.
The chorus reinforces the idea that the man is sought after, but it's unclear exactly why. The black-eyed dog is the only thing that can make things right, but it is not clear what this means. The song ends on a somber note, with the man still trying to find his way back home.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you didn't win
I acknowledge that you didn't succeed at something you attempted
You should see what they've done, it would make you shed your skin
If you saw what others did to achieve success, it would make you extremely uncomfortable
That was done a long time ago
The events that caused the previous statements occurred in the past and are not as relevant now
The black-eyed dog came 'round that night
A metaphorical black dog representing depression or other negative emotions appeared at a significant point in time
Took what was wrong and made it alright
The negative emotions caused by the event or situation were resolved by the appearance of the black dog
You're a wanted man
Regardless of the reasons behind the previous events, you are currently desirable or valuable to others
They say it could have been fame
Others speculate that the reason for your desirability is due to fame or notoriety
Or maybe something gone wrong in the back of your brain
Alternatively, your value could be attributed to something that happened to you mentally or emotionally
Ten thousand feet below
A phrase that suggests being very far away or removed from a situation
You'd never make it in a world like today
I believe you would not succeed in the current state of society
Just ask me and i'll tell you: don't stay awake
I am advising you to stop worrying or obsessing about your current situation
My way has broken my day
Following my own path or approach to life has negatively impacted my day-to-day life
Gone away i'm making my way back home
I have left a difficult situation and am now returning home
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.