Witch Hunt
Machine Head Lyrics


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He's a rebel and a runner
He's a signal turning green
He's a restless young romantic
Wants to run the big machine

He's got a problem with his poisons
But you know he'll find a cure
He's cleaning up the systems
To keep his nature pure

Learning to match the beat of the old-world man
Learning to catch the heat of the third-world man

He's got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's old enough to know what's right
And young enough not to choose it
He's noble enough to win the world
But weak enough to lose it

He's a new-world man

He's a radio receiver
Tuned to factories and farms
He's a writer and ranger and a young boy bearing arms
He's got a problem with his powers
His weapons on patrol
He's got to walk a fine line
And keep his self-control

Trying to save the day for the old-world man
Trying to pave the way for the third-world man

He's not concerned with yesterday
He knows constant change is here today
He's noble enough to know what's right
But weak enough not to choose it
He's wise enough to win the world
But fool enough to lose it

He's a new-world man

Learning to match the beat of the old-world man
He's learning to catch the heat of the third-world man





He's a new world man
He's a new world man

Overall Meaning

The song "Witch Hunt" by Machine Head is a commentary on the struggle of an individual trying to navigate and survive in a world that seems to be headed towards self-destruction. The lyrics describe a young man who is labeled a rebel and a runner, someone who wants to take control of the machine that is society. He is restless and romantic, wanting to make a change but overwhelmed by the problems and poisons that surround him. Despite this, he is determined to clean up the system and keep his nature pure.


The song emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and owning up to our mistakes. The young man in the song is old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it. He is noble enough to win the world but weak enough to lose it. The song's title, "Witch Hunt," suggests that the singer is being targeted by society for trying to make a change, and that this is a common theme throughout history.


The song also suggests that the young man is a "new-world man," someone who is tuned in to the world around him and is trying to save it. He is not concerned with yesterday and understands that constant change is necessary. The song ends with the repeated chorus of "He's a new-world man," emphasizing the importance of progress and the need to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

He's a rebel and a runner
He's someone who doesn't conform to society's norms and is constantly moving forward


He's a signal turning green
He's ready to go and pursue his dreams


He's a restless young romantic
He's someone who's eager for adventure and love


Wants to run the big machine
He wants to succeed and make a name for himself in the world


He's got a problem with his poisons
He's struggling with addiction or something toxic in his life


But you know he'll find a cure
He's determined to overcome his problems and find a solution


He's cleaning up the systems
He's taking steps to improve and better his own personal environment


To keep his nature pure
He's doing this to maintain his own sense of innocence and good intentions


Learning to match the beat of the old-world man
He's adapting and fitting in with traditional ways of thinking and living


Learning to catch the heat of the third-world man
He's becoming more attuned to the struggles and issues faced by people living in less developed areas of the world


He's got to make his own mistakes
He knows that he has to learn from his own errors


And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's taking responsibility for his own actions and is working to fix things when he messes up


He's old enough to know what's right
He's reached a point where he has enough life experience to understand right from wrong


And young enough not to choose it
He's still young and hasn't entirely settled on his values and beliefs


He's noble enough to win the world
He's got a good heart and has the potential to achieve great things


But weak enough to lose it
He's not perfect and has vulnerabilities that could potentially hold him back


He's a new-world man
He's someone who embodies the modern, forward-thinking spirit


He's a radio receiver
He's listening to and engaging with the world, trying to understand it


Tuned to factories and farms
He's paying attention to both the industrial and agricultural aspects of society


He's a writer and ranger and a young boy bearing arms
He's someone who is creative, adventurous, and perhaps even involved in some conflict or war


He's got a problem with his powers
He's struggling with the responsibility and potential of his own abilities


His weapons on patrol
He's conscious of the danger that comes with his power and is taking steps to ensure he doesn't abuse it


He's got to walk a fine line
He's aware of the delicate balance he has to maintain in order to be successful without harming others


And keep his self-control
He's determined to stay grounded and in control of himself and his actions


Trying to save the day for the old-world man
He's working to preserve traditional ways of life and thinking


Trying to pave the way for the third-world man
He's trying to make the world a better place for those who are less fortunate or have less access to resources


He's not concerned with yesterday
He's focused on the present and the future, not dwelling on the past


He knows constant change is here today
He recognizes that change is an inevitable part of life and is ready to adapt to it


He's wise enough to win the world
He's gained enough knowledge and insight to be successful in whatever he endeavors to do


But fool enough to lose it
He still has room to grow and make mistakes that could negatively impact his success


He's a new world man
He's someone who represents the future, with all of its potential and uncertainty




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: NEIL ELWOOD PEART, GARY LEE WEINRIB, ALEX ZIVOJINOVICH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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