The Love of Richard Nixon
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics


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The world on your shoulders
The love of your mother
The fear of the future
The best years behind you
The world is getting older
The times they fall behind you
The need it still grows stronger
The best years never found you

The love of Richard Nixon, death without assasination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assasination
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too

Love build around the sandy beaches
Love rains down like Vietnam's leeches
Richard the third in the White House
Cowering behind divided curtains

The world is getting older
The times they fall behind you
The need it still grows stronger
The best years never found you

Ah, the love of richard nixon, death without assasination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assasination
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too

The love of Richard Nixon, death without assasination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
People forget China and your war on cancer
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too

In all the decisions I have made in my public life,




I have always tried to do what was best for the nation.
I have never been a quitte

Overall Meaning

The Love of Richard Nixon by Manic Street Preachers is a politically charged song that touches upon themes of betrayal, aging, and loss of hope. The opening lyrics, "The world on your shoulders, the love of your mother, the fear of the future, the best years behind you" immediately set a tone of heaviness and the feeling of being weighed down by the burdens of life. The lyrics go on to point out the inevitability of time passing and the feeling of being left behind, all while being surrounded by a world that keeps changing. The chorus, "The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination; Yeah, they all betrayed you, and your country too", paints an image of a leader who was loved but ultimately betrayed by those close to him and the country he led.


The song also touches upon the ideas of love and its destructive nature. References to "Love build around the sandy beaches" and "Love rains down like Vietnam's leeches" suggest that the concept of love can have negative connotations and can be a source of pain and destruction. The final repetition of "Yeah, they all betrayed you, and your country too" acts as a sort of indictment on America and the ways in which it has failed its citizens.


Overall, The Love of Richard Nixon is a song that is rich in political commentary and social commentary. Its lyrics are both poignant and hard-hitting, and they continue to be relevant in today's divisive political climate.


Line by Line Meaning

The world on your shoulders
You feel a heavy burden from the weight of the world


The love of your mother
Your mother's love is precious to you


The fear of the future
You are scared of what is to come


The best years behind you
You feel like you've missed your prime


The world is getting older
The world is aging and changing


The times they fall behind you
You feel left behind by modern times


The need it still grows stronger
Your desires and needs are still unfulfilled


The best years never found you
Your best years were never realized


The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
You had admiration for Richard Nixon despite his downfall and shame


The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
You feel betrayed by those who once supported Nixon


Yeah and your country too
In addition to being betrayed by individuals, you feel betrayed by your country


Love build around the sandy beaches
Love is often associated with idyllic locations, like beaches


Love rains down like Vietnam's leeches
Love can also be destructive and parasitic, like the Vietnam War


Richard the third in the White House
You see Nixon as a kind of villain or usurper


Cowering behind divided curtains
Nixon was secretive and afraid to face the truth


People forget China and your war on cancer
Nixon's accomplishments, such as his recognition of China and his anti-cancer efforts, often go unrecognized


Yeah they all betrayed you
Your disillusionment continues


Yeah and your country too
Your mistrust extends to your nation


In all the decisions I have made in my public life,
This is a quote from Richard Nixon


I have always tried to do what was best for the nation.
Nixon claims to have acted in the best interest of America


I have never been a quitter
Nixon emphasizes his determination




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES BRADFIELD, NICHOLAS JONES, SEAN MOORE

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

@kubranurturan9669

The world on your shoulders
The love of your mother
The fear of the future
The best years behind you
The world is getting older
The times they fall behind you
The need it still grows stronger
The best years never found you
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too
Love build around the sandy beaches
Love rains down like Vietnam's leeches
Richard the third in the White House
Cowering behind divided curtains
The world is getting older
The times they fall behind you
The need it still grows stronger
The best years never found you
Ah, the love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too
The love of Richard Nixon, death without assassination
The love of Richard Nixon, yeah they all betrayed you
People forget China and your war on cancer
Yeah they all betrayed you
Yeah and your country too
In all the decisions I have made in my public life,
I have always tried to do what was best for the nation.
I have never been a crook



All comments from YouTube:

@fruitcake4t

brilliant song from an overlooked classic album

didn't get the recognition it deserved

@comment5173

This and know your enemy were both great albums!

@Malice666

James' voice on this one is just... PERFECT. I don't really understand the lyrics of this song but I love it!

@inlakesh555

Nickey sang it.

@irinapermyakova1171

Композиция сводит меня с ума!!! Слушаю бесконечно.... И клип замечательный. Актуальный.

@ramirofrache292

+stefany watson Good point:sometimes victims fade to villians!!!

@rubalqueno7510

IRINA PERMYAKOVA love is piece

@martlgr

Very underrated manics song!!!

@mabbrey

probably their best

@timl5613

Vinsu Karma: Agreed. What about 'To Repel Ghosts?

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