Gunman
Them Crooked Vultures Lyrics


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Gunman,
Bloodshot eyes.
Gunman,
Grain of sand.
Sisters,
Could not speak.
Father,
Is a holy ghost.
And there's lions
In a cage.

It don't matter, don't try to explain,
You're just another dog to be trained,
Choke chained.
You're gonna end up under tooth and nail.
If you catch a tiger by the tail,
Don't fail.

Brother,
Does not dream
Anymore.
Sisters,
Could not sleep.
Transformation incomplete,
Mercy killing, those counting sheep.
I'm a trigger, quick to fire,
Punctuate betwixt the eyes
And you're clever
It ain't gonna help you.

Violence is just an incomplete thought,
Coming to a complete stop,
Stop.
You're so clever you'll tear us apart,
Then masquerade it as art.
Not smart.
If you can help anyone, help yourself,
That's unless you hate yourself,
Then don't help.

Angry ants are crawling,
Makes you wanna scream.

Lions clawing,
Building up steam.
Flesh and bone have no persuasion,
This is the pathway to my destination.
Gunman,
Where you been?
You're my
Hero,
Savior,
Psycho,
Slayer.

Follow the leader yet lead 'em the same.
Slugs punctuate the refrain,
Come again?
It don't matter, don't try to explain.
You're just a dog to be trained,
Choke chained.

You gonna end up under tooth and nail.
If you catch a tiger by the tail,
Don't fail.




I wanna go blind, wanna stare at the sun.
De-evolution.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Them Crooked Vultures' song Gunman are dark and unsettling, drawing on themes of violence, transformation, and power struggles. The song opens with the repeated refrain of "Gunman" and "Bloodshot eyes," immediately setting a menacing tone. The lines "Grain of sand/Sisters, could not speak/Father, is a holy ghost/And there's lions in a cage" evoke a sense of constriction and restraint, with the image of the lions in a cage suggesting a violent potential that is being held back. This theme of violence and power dynamics is continued throughout the song, with lines like "Choke chained" and "You're just another dog to be trained" painting a picture of control and submission.


The lyrics also touch on themes of transformation and disillusionment, with the lines "Brother, does not dream anymore/Sisters, could not sleep/Transformation incomplete/Mercy killing, those counting sheep" suggesting a loss of innocence or idealism. The singer of the song is clearly someone who sees themselves as a "gunman" or "psycho slayer," reveling in their own power and ability to inflict violence. The line "Violence is just an incomplete thought" suggests an almost nihilistic worldview, where violence is seen as a way to complete or express oneself.


Overall, the lyrics to Gunman are dark and unsettling, painting a picture of a violent and chaotic world. The themes of power struggles, transformation, and disillusionment are all woven together to create a bleak portrait of modern society.


Line by Line Meaning

Gunman, Bloodshot eyes.
The gunman's eyes appear red due to prolonged exposure to gun smoke and staying awake for long periods.


Gunman, Grain of sand.
The gunman is insignificant, like a grain of sand in the grand scheme of things.


Sisters, Could not speak.
The women are silenced, unable to voice their concerns or opinions.


Father, Is a holy ghost.
The father is emotionally absent, like a ghost with no real presence in the lives of his children.


And there's lions In a cage.
Wild animals are contained and restricted, unable to live freely.


It don't matter, don't try to explain, You're just another dog to be trained, Choke chained.
The singer thinks that one's thoughts and actions are predetermined, like a dog being trained and held back by a leash.


You're gonna end up under tooth and nail. If you catch a tiger by the tail, Don't fail.
If one takes a risk that could lead to failure, they should be ready to face the consequences or be defeated.


Brother, Does not dream Anymore. Sisters, Could not sleep.
The artist suggests that the people around him have given up on their aspirations and can't find peace in their circumstances.


Transformation incomplete, Mercy killing, those counting sheep.
People lose their sense of identity while undergoing change, leading them to embrace their end as a mercy killing.


I'm a trigger, quick to fire, Punctuate betwixt the eyes And you're clever It ain't gonna help you.
The artist is unpredictable and can strike anyone, even if they think they're smart or can outwit him.


Violence is just an incomplete thought, Coming to a complete stop, Stop.
The singer suggests that violent individuals have given up on reasoning and stopped thinking intellectually.


You're so clever you'll tear us apart, Then masquerade it as art. Not smart.
People who use their intelligence to cause chaos and harm others are not truly smart, despite their intellect.


If you can help anyone, help yourself, That's unless you hate yourself, Then don't help.
The singer advises those who are capable of helping others to prioritize their own needs, but not if they have issues with themselves.


Angry ants are crawling, Makes you wanna scream. Lions clawing, Building up steam. Flesh and bone have no persuasion, This is the pathway to my destination.
The singer feels powerful and is headed towards his goals, unaffected by external influences or opposition.


Gunman, Where you been? You're my Hero, Savior, Psycho, Slayer.
The singer elevates the gunman, describing him as a hero and savior while acknowledging his violent and psychotic side.


Follow the leader yet lead 'em the same. Slugs punctuate the refrain, Come again?
The artist suggests that people are willing to follow authoritative figures without question, leading to violent and recurring outcomes.


I wanna go blind, wanna stare at the sun. De-evolution.
The artist thinks that we're regressing as a society and wishes to turn a blind eye or ignore the issue.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BALDWIN, JOSH HOMME, DAVID GROHL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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