THE MAN IN THE IVORY TOWER
Refuge Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't live like this
My world is all alone
I never spoke to anybody here

Yes, it feels to me
Like I was never born
And no one here would ever speak to me
I am lost, this can't go on, no
From my prison cell I reach my hand to anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past
I'm the man in the ivory tower
I'm the man in the ivory tower

All these chains I feel
Invisible to me
I've built them when I burnt my bridges down

I am choking from
Imaginary hands
The poison in my heart kills without sound

At this point I can't go on, no
From my prison cell I reach my hand to anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past
I'm the man in the ivory tower

I can't live like anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past




I'm the man in the ivory tower
I'm the man in the ivory tower

Overall Meaning

The song "The Man in the Ivory Tower" by Refuge is a portrayal of the state of loneliness and isolation that the singer is experiencing in his life. He feels detached from the world around him and describes it as being all alone. He has never spoken to anyone and feels like he was never meant to be born. The lyrics are a reflection of the mental state of a person who has withdrawn from society and feels like he is living in a prison cell.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Lonely is the world behind my mask, I'm the man in the ivory tower," emphasizing the main theme of the song. The man is living in a state of loneliness and isolation, and even though he has built the prison walls himself, he is reaching out for help from anyone who could hear him. He is at a point where he cannot go on living in the same way and is seeking a way out of this lonely world.


In summary, the song depicts the inner turmoil of a person who has isolated himself from the rest of the world and is now struggling to connect with anyone. It is a powerful case of how loneliness and isolation can cause severe mental distress to an individual.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't live like this
The singer feels suffocated and deeply unhappy with their current circumstances.


My world is all alone
The singer feels disconnected from the people and things around them.


I never spoke to anybody here
The singer has not been able to communicate or connect with others in their environment.


Yes, it feels to me / Like I was never born / And no one here would ever speak to me
The artist feels like they are invisible or do not exist to others around them.


I am lost, this can't go on, no / From my prison cell I reach my hand to anybody
The artist is desperate for help and connection, and is willing to reach out even though they feel trapped.


All these chains I feel / Invisible to me / I've built them when I burnt my bridges down
The singer feels trapped and regrets their past actions that have led to their current isolation.


I am choking from / Imaginary hands / The poison in my heart kills without sound
The singer is experiencing intense emotional pain and fear that is preventing them from making connections.


I can't live like anybody
The artist feels like they are unable to connect with anyone, no matter how hard they try.


Lonely is the world behind my mask / I'm the man in the ivory tower
The artist feels disconnected and isolated from the world, even though they may appear successful or powerful to others.


Lonely when you're living in the past / I'm the man in the ivory tower
The artist's feelings of loneliness and isolation stem from their past actions or experiences.


I'm the man in the ivory tower
The singer feels like they are isolated from the rest of the world and unable to connect with others.




Writer(s): Wagner Peter Peavy, Schmidt Manfred Albert

Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

DD Angel

I can't live like this
My world is all alone
I never spoke to anybody here

Yes, it feels to me
Like I was never born
And no one here would ever speak to me

I am lost, this can't go on, no
From my prison cell I reach my hand to anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past
I'm the man in the ivory tower
I'm the man in the ivory tower

All these chains I feel
Invisible to me
I've built them when I burnt my bridges down

I am choking from
Imaginary hands
The poison in my heart kills without sound

At this point I can't go on, no
From my prison cell I reach my hand to anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past
I'm the man in the ivory tower

I can't live like anybody

Lonely is the world behind my mask
I'm the man in the ivory tower
Lonely when you're living in the past
I'm the man in the ivory tower
I'm the man in the ivory tower
🎼🎵🎶🎼🎵🎶🎼🎵🎶🎼🎵🎶



All comments from YouTube:

stass

Вновь и вновь слушаю этих великих людей,и их песни.Храни Господь этих мужчин.они подарили много радости и счастья,в разные периоды жизни.спасбо Питер,Манфред,Крис.

Lord Pardus

RAGE is my favorite METAL BAND EVER. NOBODY can compare to them. Danke, Herr Wagner...

динька83

ай лайк ту )))

Станислав Анисимов

Какое счастье видеть их вместе. Великолепная композиция, прекрасный альбом в целом. Обожаю Пиви

Rajarshi Bisharad

Wonderful to see Manni after so long. Horns from the man in the ivory tower of India 🤘🤘

J S

This is the RAGE I remember from the early 80's and will cherish forever... Fire and Fierce... Love Peavey, Manni and Chris... MAGIC!!!!!!

Armin Gold

Manni Schmidt ist ein fantastischer Gitarrist.

José Augusto dos Santos

É MUITO, MUITO BOM ; É ÓTIMO !

Spock

Been a Rage fan since 86. This makes me very happy!! Great album!!!

Tino Hevia

Peavy rules!, afther many years listening Rage, this man always surprise me. A master of the melodies.. Rage and Refuge rules

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