Where Next Columbus
Jeffrey Lewis Lyrics

Marx had an idea from the confusion of his head
Marx was filled with thoughts and ideas, which he tried to understand and put into practice

Then there were a thousand more waiting to be led
Many people were ready to follow Marx's ideas, and to work to make his vision a reality

The books are sold, the quotes are bought
Marx's ideas have been distilled into books and quotes, which people can easily consume and repeat

You learn them well and then you're caught
Once people learn Marx's ideas, they become committed to them and are unlikely to change their minds

Anothers left, anothers right
Different people have different interpretations of Marx's ideas, and they may take them in different political directions

Anothers peace, anothers fight
Similarly, people may interpret Marx's ideas as advocating for peace or for a more militant approach

Mussolini had ideas from the confusion of his heart
Mussolini was also filled with ideas, which he held in his heart

Then there were a thousand more waiting to play their part
There were many people who were inspired by Mussolini and wanted to work with him to implement his ideas

The stage was set, the costumes worn
Mussolini and his followers put on a show, creating a spectacle to attract people to their cause

And another empire of destruction born
Despite their grand visions, Mussolini and his followers ultimately created a destructive empire

Anothers name, anothers aim
Like Marx's ideas, Mussolini's ideas were interpreted in different ways and pursued by people with different goals

Anothers fall, anothers fame
Similarly, some of Mussolini's followers experienced success and fame, while others fell from grace

Jung had an idea from the confusion of his dream
Jung's ideas came from his dreams and the subconscious

Then there were a thousand more waiting to be seen
Jung's ideas attracted many followers who were interested in exploring their own unconscious and inner lives

You're not yourself, the theory says
Jung's theory suggests that our conscious selves are only a small part of our overall identity

But I can help, your complex pays
Jung believed that exploring our subconscious could help us to better understand ourselves and lead more fulfilling lives

Anothers hope, anothers game
As with the other thinkers mentioned, Jung's ideas were interpreted and pursued in different ways by different people

Anothers loss, anothers gain
Some people may have found great benefit from Jung's ideas, while others may have been hurt or frustrated by them

Sartre had an idea from the confusion of his brain
Sartre's ideas were born of his intellectual and philosophical explorations

Then there were a thousand more indulging in his pain
Sartre's ideas were popular and resonated with many people who were also struggling with confusion and despair

Revelling in isolation and existential choice
Sartre's ideas emphasized the individual's freedom to make their own choices, even in the face of an uncertain and meaningless world

Can you truly be alone when you use anothers voice?
Sartre questioned whether we can truly be free, and whether we are simply echoing the voices of others when we make our choices

Anothers lies, anothers truth
As with the other thinkers mentioned, Sartre's ideas were interpreted in different ways and had different effects

Anothers doubt, anothers proof
Some people may have doubted the validity of Sartre's ideas, while others saw them as providing proof of the individual's power and potential

The idea born in someones mind
Each of the previous stanzas refers to the ideas of a different philosopher or thinker

Is nurtured by a thousand blind
These ideas are embraced and spread by many people, even if they don't fully understand or appreciate them

Anonymous beings, vacuous souls
Many of these followers are anonymous and lacking in substance or depth

Do you fear the confusion, your lack of control?
The artist asks whether we fear the confusion and complexity of the world, and our inability to fully control or understand it

You lift your arm to write a name
The artist now addresses the listener directly

So caught up in the identity game
The listener is preoccupied with defining and asserting their own identity, at the expense of deeper reflection or exploration

Who do you see? Who do you watch?
The singer asks who the listener looks to for guidance and inspiration

Who's your leader? Which is your flock?
The artist questions whether the listener is blindly following someone else's agenda, or if they have their own guiding principles and values

Who do you watch? Who do you watch?
The artist repeats the previous question, emphasizing its importance

Einstein had an idea from the confusion of his knowledge
Einstein's ideas were born out of his scientific exploration and intellectual curiosity

Then there were a thousand more turning to advantage
Einstein's insights and discoveries have had a major impact on the world, inspiring many to pursue scientific knowledge and technological progress

They realised that their god was dead
Einstein's ideas and discoveries challenged traditional religious beliefs and doctrines, leading many to question and even reject their faith

So they reclaimed power through the bomb instead
Despite the loss of faith, many people sought new sources of power and control, ultimately leading to the development and use of nuclear weapons

Anothers code, anothers brain
As with the other thinkers mentioned, Einstein's ideas have been interpreted and applied by many different people in many different ways

They'll shower us all in deadly rain
The development and use of nuclear weapons has had catastrophic consequences for the world and its people

Jesus had an idea from the confusion of his soul
Jesus' ideas were born of his own spiritual journey and deep beliefs

Then there were a thousand more waiting to take control
Jesus' teachings and legacy have inspired many people over the centuries, and have been used to justify a wide range of beliefs and practices

The guilt is sold, forgiveness bought
Jesus' ideas of sin and redemption have been manipulated and exploited by some to control and manipulate others

The cross is there as your reward
Similarly, the image of the cross has become a symbol of power and control, rather than of sacrifice and salvation

Anothers love, anothers pain
As with the other thinkers mentioned, Jesus' ideas have been interpreted and applied in many different ways, sometimes leading to love and compassion, and sometimes leading to pain and suffering

Anothers pride, anothers shame
Again, Jesus' teachings and legacy have been used to elicit feelings of pride and shame in different followers, leading to a wide range of behaviors and practices

Do you watch at a distance from the side you have chosen?
The artist questions whether the listener is an observer of the world, or an active participant who is making choices and taking action

Whose answers serve you best? Who'll save you from confusion?
The singer asks who the listener is turning to for guidance and support, and whether they are finding true answers and relief from their confusion

Who will leave you an exit and a comfortable cover
The artist asks who will help the listener escape their confusion and find a safe and comfortable place to rest

Who will take you oh so near the edge, but never drop you over?
The singer asks who will challenge the listener and push them out of their comfort zone, but never abandon them to their confusion and despair

Who do you watch?
The singer repeats the central question, asking the listener to consider who they are paying attention to and who is guiding their actions and beliefs