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"21st Century Schizoid Man" is a song by the progressive rock band King Crimson from their 1969 debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King". Often regarded as the group's signature song, it has been described by sources such as Rolling Stone as "a seven-and-a-half-minute statement of purpose: rock power, jazz spontaneity, and classical precision harnessed in the service of a common aim."
The lyrics of "21st Century Schizoid Man" were written by Peter Sinfield and consist chiefly of disconnected phrases which present a series of images. All three verses follow a set pattern in presenting these images.
This song is a commentary on the Vietnam War and a criticism of the politicians who were running it.
Schizoid personality disorder is a personality disorder that renders the subject somewhat detached, apathetic, recluse in a fantasy world rather than tied to real connections.
The song acts as a kind of prophecy, predicting that men of the 21st century will all grow schizoid because of how conflicts like the Vietnam war destroy the innocence of entire generations.
The song was famously sampled in Kanye West’s “Power”.
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