The Man Who Sold the World
Nirvana [Live] Lyrics
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We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long long time ago
Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazeless stare
We walked a million hills
I must have died alone
A long, long time ago
Who knows?
Not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
Who knows?
Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
"The Man Who Sold the World" is a song by David Bowie and was famously covered by Nirvana. The song has generated a lot of discussions over its meaning and interpretation. In the song, the singer meets a man on the stairs who's selling the world. The lyrics of the song are cryptic and metaphysical, with a lot of imagery that's hard to pinpoint. It's a song that's open to interpretation, and there are several theories regarding what it's about.
Some theorize that the man who sold the world refers to Bowie's own image as a rock star, as it's been said that he sold himself as an alternate persona. Others believe it refers to the idea of mortality and how we sell our lives to make a living. In the Nirvana version, it's been proposed that the song is about Kurt Cobain's own personal struggle with identity and how he is viewed by others.
The line "We never lost control" suggests that the man who sold the world was able to maintain power and control over it. The song may also be about how we can choose to sell our souls for a greater gain or how everything can be bought and sold, including the world itself. Some have even suggested that the song has an otherworldly feel to it, with the man representing the devil, tempting the singer with promises of power and control.
Line by Line Meaning
We passed upon the stair
We encountered each other while walking up the staircase
We spoke of was and when
We had a conversation about the past and present
Although I wasn't there
I wasn't present during the event we were discussing
He said I was his friend
He referred to me as his friend
Which came as a surprise
It was unexpected
I spoke into his eyes
I looked at him while speaking
I thought you died alone
I believed you died without anyone by your side
A long long time ago
It happened a very long time back
Oh no, not me
I am not in that situation anymore
We never lost control
We always had control over our situation
You're face to face
You're facing and confronting
With the man who sold the world
With someone who created an imaginary world and made people believe it
I laughed and shook his hand
I chuckled and held his hand
And made my way back home
I returned to my home
I searched for form and land
I looked for a way to build something tangible
For years and years I roamed
I spent many years wandering around
I gazed a gazeless stare
I stared without any focus or direction
We walked a million hills
We endured many challenges and obstacles
I must have died alone
I assume I passed away without any companionship
Who knows?
It's uncertain
Not me
I don't know
You're face to face
You're confronting
With the man who sold the world
With someone who created an imaginary world and made people believe it
Who knows?
It's uncertain
Not me
I don't know
We never lost control
We always had control over our situation
You're face to face
You're confronting
With the man who sold the world
With someone who created an imaginary world and made people believe it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daryl7277
RIP Kurt. Can't believe it's been 30 years. We all still miss you 😢
@davidmontero75
Indeed
@Jodi26
Always. He left this world far too soon. ❤
@erasorz
Yeah, like we miss Mozart.
@dipeshpanday6029
Ya, may be he has come back again in different form
@MP-qr5ts
yeah. :( 30y so so lovely voice.
@TheMaestromMephisto
You know the band is legendary when you prefer the unplugged session over the studio recordings
@ChristopherDeal-cd5bf
0:07
@ofiyn
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