The Next Best Thing Experience

[Next Best Thing]

NBT, who is the song Jokerman about?

It's about the USA, not a specific individual, although many people, at the time it was released, thought it was about Ronald Reagan.

In order to fully appreciate Jokerman, listen to the fucking alternate version, the lyrics are better.

pfffft.

Standing on the waters
Casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol
With the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists
While a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with truth so far off
What good will it do

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh Jokerman.

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye
To no one.
No store-bought shirt for you on your back
One of the women must sit in the shack
And sew one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh Jokerman.

You're a man of the mountains
You can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds
You're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care
Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister
Scratching the world with a fine-tooth comb
You're a king among nations
You're a stranger at home

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh ohJokerman.

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea
Are your only teachers
No crystal ball do you need on your shelf
Michelangelo himself
Could have carved out your features.
So drunk standing in the middle of the street
Directing traffic with a small dog at your feet

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh Jokerman.

Well, the Preacherman talking about the deaf and the dumb
And a world to come
That's already been predetermined
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks
Can't drown out your sermon
You let the wicked walk right into a trap
You give away all the good things
That fall in your lap

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh Jokerman.

It's a shadowy world skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today
And she's dressed in scarlet.
He'll turn priests into pimps that make old men bark
Take a woman who could have been Joan of Arc
And turn her into a harlot
Oh Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh Jokerman, you don't show any response.

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh Jokerman