Veteran Of The Psychic Wars

Album: Fire Of Unknown Origin (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the second of three songs the British author Michael Moorcock wrote with Blue Öyster Cult frontman Eric Bloom, falling between "Black Blade" and "The Great Sun Jester." Moorcock also wrote lyrics for Hawkwind, including their 1975 track "Standing at the Edge" from their Warrior on the Edge of Time album, which contains this line:

    We are the soldiers at the edge of time
    The veterans of a thousand psychic wars


    Along with three other songs from Warrior on the Edge of Time, that song is based on Moorcock's concept of the Eternal Champion, which encompasses different warriors, including the albino marauder Elric of Melnibone.

    Moorcock extended the story for "Veteran of the Psychic Wars," which finds the warrior struggling with physical and emotional wounds.
  • This song appears in the 1981 animated, R-rated film Heavy Metal, which carries themes similar to what's described in the lyric.
  • Eric Bloom wrote the music for this track on a keyboard. Michael Moorcock sent him the lyrics, which he married to his track to create the song.

Comments: 2

  • AnonymousAgreed, I think it's "scars" not "stars".
  • AnonymousHmm, in the first verse, the word "stars" really doesn't fit, other site have the lyric as "scars", which actually makes a LOT more sense.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.