The Hollow Man
Marillion Lyrics

I think I have become one of the hollow men
I feel like I have lost who I am and joined the group of people who lack substance and depth.

As I shine on the outside more these days
Even though I may appear successful or attractive, it is just a facade to hide my emptiness inside.

I can feel the outside feeding on my inside
I am constantly seeking validation and attention from others, leaving me feeling drained and unfulfilled.

Leaves a growing darkness in it's place
The more I try to fill the void inside me with external things, the more it grows and consumes me.

I think I have become one of the lonely
Despite being surrounded by people, I feel disconnected and alone.

Now that everybody talks to me
Others may see me as socially successful, but I still lack meaningful connections with anyone.

I feel I have become one of the empty
I am a shell of a person, lacking passion, purpose, and genuine emotion.

Hollow men can stop you with the twinkling of an eye
Superficial charm and charisma can disguise the lack of substance behind a hollow person.

Hollow men can take you without even reaching out
Hollow people may appear unassuming, but they can still manipulate and harm others without being direct.

Hollow men have got you long before you realise
By the time you realize the true nature of a hollow person, they may have already had a significant impact on you.

The poison paralyses
The hollowness infects and immobilizes those who allow themselves to be influenced by it.

I think I have become one of a pair of men
I am part of a group of people who share the same superficial values and lack of depth.

It's a feeling I've been having for some time
This lack of substance has been weighing on me for a while.

I look down upon myself and watch my movements
I am aware of my own emptiness and observe myself going through the motions of life without true purpose.

A blind eye sees the fragile vandalised
Those who are also hollow can see the emptiness in others, as it reflects their own sense of brokenness.

Watch this cold world dishing up these endless hollow men
Society perpetuates the hollowness by rewarding superficiality and punishing genuine emotion.

Find us anywhere you look
Hollow people can be found in every corner of society, from the rich and famous to the everyday person.

Come and meet our friends
Hollow people tend to surround themselves with others who lack substance, reinforcing their own emptiness.

Stand us in our silly clothes
Superficial appearance and material possessions are often used to compensate for a lack of depth.

Put our batteries in
Artificial energy, such as drugs or alcohol, may be used to mask the emptiness inside.

Line us up like fairground ducks
Hollow people can be easily manipulated and controlled, like targets in a carnival game.

Watch us grin and grin
Outward happiness and cheerfulness often mask a lack of genuine joy and fulfillment.

See the lies behind our eyes
Hollow people may be able to hide behind a facade, but their true nature is evident in their eyes.

See the will to win
The desire for power or success may drive hollow people, even if they lack a deeper sense of purpose.

We'll buy you and we'll sell you
Hollow people may use others for their own gain, without any genuine concern for the other person's wellbeing.

But perhaps we'll save your skin
Despite their lack of depth, hollow people may still be able to provide help or protection when it benefits them.

Sit quietly and listen to the breeze
In contrast to the loud and chaotic world filled with hollow people, there is still beauty and peace to be found in nature.

The hollow and the lonely listen too
Even those who are hollow or lonely can find solace and comfort in the natural world.

Sniff the air for something we can use
Hollow people may view everything as a resource to be consumed, rather than a thing of inherent worth or value.

We're tin-hard and we rattle when we're shaken
Hollow people may appear strong and unyielding, but they are ultimately fragile and easily disrupted.