Song Meaning: Cult of Personality by Living Color

ARTIST: living color | ALBUM: VIVID | RELEASED: 1988

Living Color, as the name of the band suggests, has shown extensive interest in punk rock upon their inception in 1984 in New York City. "Cult of Personality" is one the most recognizable punk rock songs in the history of, not just rock music, but of all music.

Consisting of many references to historical political figures, political turmoil and corruption, the song explores how people of all walks of life perceive politics in the world. In fact, although the band in from the US, "Cult of Personality" paints a dark picture of politicians around the world, not just the ones in the US - which leads me to believe these kids must have done some extensive research on foreign leaders. That's not easy in 1980s given that there was no Wikipedia.

The song, needless to say, was a big mainstream hit, winning a Grammy in 1990, and putting the band on mainstream rock radio.

Analysis of lyrics:

We wanna talk right down to Earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand² - Living Color was from New York where there was/is a large presence of African Americans. Thus making fun of their way of speaking was commonplace. So what Living Color is saying here is that if you want to reach-out to everybody, you'd have to leave racial bigotry behind, and speak in simple English.

Like Mussolini and Kennedy⁸ - these two leaders resemble two contrasting types of leaders, quite reminiscent to good vs. evil. 

Neon lights, a Nobel prize¹³ - this indicates smoke and mirrors, meaning big recognitions and bright lights don't necessarily reflect the inner quality of person.
I'm the smiling face on your tv - politicians like to come across as nice people, though they may not always be like so in real life.

Only you can set me free¹⁶ - "you" refers to people that elected politicians, and "me" is the politician himself. So this line means those who elected the politicians have to keep them accountable.

I exploit you, still you love me²¹ - this means people, at least in the US, vote for the party, not necessarily for the candidate. Case in point, the Bush Administration was atrocious, but the South still voted for in favor of the Republican party.

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi²⁴ - once again showcasing two leaders with opposite personalities, but both are cults - one is good and other is evil.

When a leader speaks, that leader dies³⁰ - when you are an elected leader, you have to be part of the system. You cannot change the system in favor of the people that ACTUALLY voted for you. This is the case with Pres. Obama, as ran on the message of change, but now he's the establishment. The rare ones who spoke against the system had to face dire consequences. For instance, Pres. Kennedy was vehemently against the Vietnam War, so he was shot by CIA. I think I did a nice job here. If you'd like to improve this, please free to leave a comment below. 

I think I did a pretty good job analyzing this song. If you'd like to add improvements, please feel free to leave a comment below. 

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1. And during the few moments that we have left
2. We wanna talk right down to Earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand
3. Look in my eyes, what do you see?
4. The cult of personality
5. I know your anger, I know your dreams
6. I've been everything you want to be
7. I'm the cult of personality
8. Like Mussolini and Kennedy
9. I'm the cult of personality
10. The cult of personality
11. The cult of personality
12. 
    
13. Neon lights, a Nobel prize
14. Than the mirror speaks, the reflection lies
15. You won't have to follow me
16. Only you can set me free
17. 
    
18. I sell the things you need to be
19. I'm the smiling face on your tv
20. I'm the cult of personality
21. I exploit you, still you love me
22. I tell you one and one makes three
23. I'm the cult of personality
24. Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
25. I'm the cult of personality
26. The cult of personality
27. The cult of personality
28. 
    
29. Neon lights, a Nobel prize
30. When a leader speaks, that leader dies
31. You won't have to follow me
32. Only you can set you free (?)
33. 
    
34. You gave me fortune
35. You gave me fame
36. You gave me power in your god's name
37. I'm every person you need to be
38. I'm the cult of personality (I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of)
39. I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of (I'm the cult of)
40. I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of personality (I'm the cult of)
41. Ask not what your country can do for you
42. 
    
43. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself

Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/living+colour/cult+of+personality_20084475.html