Omegaman

Album: Ghost in the Machine (1981)
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Songfacts®:

  • This apocalyptic song was written by The Police guitarist Andy Summers, who was inspired by the 1973 movie Soylent Green, starring Charlton Heston. In the film, poverty and climate change have let to food rationing, and a big corporation creates a foodstuff made by nefarious means. Summers used the idea behind the film as the basis for the break world the Omegaman inhabits. (More in our Andy Summers interview.)
  • Omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet, and in a hierarchy represents the lowest member. Thus, while the alpha wolf is the leader, the omega wolf is at the bottom. The omega man feels he at this lower level.

Comments: 4

  • Sage from MichigSoylent Green had nothing to do with climate change.
  • David from UsaOmegaman means the last man. I don't think it's referring to hierarchy, but to the end of the world.
  • Mp from Australia I agree as I thought it was about the Charlton Heston movie Omega Man also. Should we seek a second opinion? :)
  • Jim from UsaI'm surprised by the "Soylent Green" (1973) reference since I figured it would be about "The Omega Man" (1971) if anything. Too obvious?

    Good track, either way. It gets you thinking about the future.
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