Stepping out to sing, play guitar, & drop strange & beautiful samples of Sax into the mix of skittering rhythms & pulsing electronics.
The Man Who Sold the World
The Hics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
Oh no, not me
I 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 gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago
Who knows? Not me
We 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 Hics's song, "The Man Who Sold The World," is a cover of David Bowie's original from 1970. The lyrics are written in the first person, and the singer tells a story about a chance encounter with a man who claims to be his friend but died a long time ago. The singer is surprised by this declaration and remarks that he "thought you died alone, a long, long time ago." However, the man replies that he never lost control, and now they are face to face.
There are different interpretations of this song, but one common explanation is that it's a reflection on the singer's journey of self-discovery. The first encounter with the man who sold the world could represent a questioning of the singer's own identity and place in the world. The line "we spoke of was and when" could suggest nostalgia and a longing for the past.
As the song progresses, the singer searches for meaning and a sense of belonging. The phrase "I searched for form and land for years and years I roamed" could indicate a search for a physical or metaphysical home. However, the singer realizes that everyone around him has also died alone, and the concept of control becomes an illusion.
Overall, "The Man Who Sold The World" is a thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to examine their own journey through life and the ways in which they perceive control and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
We passed upon the stair
We encountered each other on the staircase
We spoke of was and when
We talked about past and future events
Although I wasn't there
Despite me not being present during the conversation
He said I was his friend
He claimed that we were friends
Which came as some surprise
This was unexpected news
I spoke into his eyes
We had a direct conversation and I looked into his eyes while speaking
I thought you died alone
I believed that he died without anyone beside him
A long, long time ago
This happened a very long time back
Oh no, not me
I did not do any such thing
I never lost control
I always remained in control of my actions
You're face to face
We are having a face-to-face interaction
With the man who sold the world
He is the man who deceived the world and sold it a false idea or reality
I laughed and shook his hand
I laughed and greeted him warmly by shaking his hand
And made my way back home
I returned home after meeting him
I searched for form and land
I looked for a shape and meaning in life
For years and years I roamed
I have been looking for meaning and purpose in life for a very long time
I gazed a gazely stare
I looked intently with a slightly vacant expression
At all the millions here
I observed the masses of people around me
We must have died alone
It is likely that people die alone without anyone by their side
Who knows? Not me
I don't really know
We never lost control
We always remained in control of our actions
You're face to face
We are having a direct interaction
With the man who sold the world
He is the perpetrator who spread a false idea or reality to the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elena-Andreea Berea
We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago
Oh no, not me
I 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 gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago
Who knows? Not me
We 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
Asia Tate
I’m so glad you guys are back it’s been years I constantly have the Tangle EP on repeat ❤️❤️❤️
saif ben salah
oww same thing for me! the beats of tangle are insane!!
Silly_ SeulLee
Same here! Welcome back 🤙
Jason B.
tangle is single handedly one of the best songs I've ever heard
Asia Tate
@Jason B. my favorite off of the Ep was Russian dolls but the whole thing was fire so chill
Jason B.
@Asia Tate yea thats my jam too the hics and submotion orchestra are always on repeat
BranLP84
As I LITERALLY sit here going back in time and listening to the Tangle EP on iTunes and wondering what happened to this AMAZING group, it says that they have a NEW song premiering today! I'm so shocked, happy, amazed and more that I can't put into words right now... SO excited! This new song is already on iTunes if you want to get it there! I TRULY hope The Hics give us more music in the near future. Been a fan of them ever since I heard their song 'Cold Air' on GTA 5 when it came out... I also hope that they know that us real fans are most definitely still staying tuned and would love to hear new content from them... OH, and FIRST! LOL
BranLP84
The Law I'm aware of them having other work outside of the Tangle EP, but as you've said, most of it is collaborative outside of their personal
All We'll Knowsingle. It would be nice if they were to bless us with an actual album of their own though... Truly hoping this comes about at some point.KirsThaWorst
At this point if you guys made a whole album with remakes, I’m 150% here for it!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾
эржэма цыбенова
Великая песня. Талантливое исполнение.