Particle Man

Particle man is the atom, basic building block of our reality. What is he like? It's not important. From Aristotle to Neils Bohr, there have been many different models for what the atom is like. All of these models are different, useful to varying degrees, and totally wrong. Our most accurate model, Quantum Physics, only attests to measure reality in terms of statistical possibility. (see: Schrodinger's Cat). Recent studies of Dr. Nassim Harramein have concluded that atoms have an "event horizon" singularity identical to black holes.

The triangle is one of the oldest sacred symbols in human history. Here, Triangle Man represents the Illuminati, a global elitist cult who orchestrated the arms races and the wars of the 20th century. During WWII, all corporate-backed governments researched fission and atom smashing. They build the bomb. Triangle wins. Triangle man.

Universe man is the Creator, the conscious life behind the universe. The creator loves particle man, and indeed love is what binds our universe together. This is consistent with mystical teachings throughout history from St. John of the Cross to the Dali Llama. When the Minute hand, Millennium hand, and Eon hand line up, it's a "Happy Land", a new age.

Person man, person man, hit on the head with a class war. "Common man" represents 95% of the world's population and rising. The global elite have forced them all to live in garbage cans. Now with total control, there is nothing to stop the Illuminati from establishing a permanent slave class. We had a class war, and Triangle won.

Triangle Man hates Person Man. This basic principle, when understood, can explain many of the inequities and atrocities of the past century on Planet Earth.

The lyrics and rhythm of the song are an obvious play on the old Spiderman cartoon theme song.

"Spiderman, Spiderman, Does whatever a spider can. Spins a web, any size, Catches thieves just like flies..."

And so on.

Person man = Clearly talking about humanity

"hit on the head with a frying pan"

-our heads are round, hinting what the author is talking about

"lives his life in a garbage can"

-we live our lives in our own trash

"is he depressed or is he a mess? does he feel totally worthless?"

-welcome to the feelings experienced by almost every human. "feeling worthless" is particularly relevant to the song as it is focusing on all the perspectives of the universe. It's easy to feel worthless when we compare ourselves to universe man.

"who came up with person man? degraded man, person man"

-once again looking at humanity's perspective on the universe. Asking who came up with person man is clearly our questioning of where we came from (ie. God)

Particle Man = represents particles, atoms, etc...kind of feel this represents science.

Triangle man = The church, religion. Putting down science. Putting down and controlling and subjugating the average person. Religion, our own construct, beats science and also beats humanity.

Universe man = The universe. Its the formulation of all time, from minutes to eons.

"He's got a watch with a minute hand millennium hand and an eon hand when they meet it's a happy land"

-When all of these hands meet, it will be the end of time.

It's been suggested to me that the different "men" in this song represent different social forces - science, religion (the triangle for the Trinity), fate and the common man - and the conflicts between them (and how the common man always gets crapped on, no matter who's fighting or who wins). However, I think this is just one way to listen to this song - I like to listen to it and think of absurd, melodramatic pro wrestler personas. (Or is that personae?)

TMBG rule as we all know. This song tells the story of a few types of people but whether your big or small no-one really gives a damn. Triangle man illustrates the restrictions, boundaries and protocols we all follow. (Or just the combined power of Foster & Allan, these irish folk singers could kill us all!)

It seems like everyone has a different story for what this songs means:

tmbg.org/band-info/songs/interp/ParticleMan.html

But that's the greatest part about this song: so simple, yet so deep at the same time.

...i think this song is about a guy made of particles... a guy with a head shaped like a triangle... a really, really big guy... and also a really plain guy whom no one loves... don't try and look too deep intot his song... your head will hurt.

lol this was on Animaniacs shown like that belthazar. Namingway that's an awesome thought....I never took the time to think about it before, but if they are thinking that much into it they rule even more!

isn't this a cover song? I know another band (The Bobs) does an accapella version, but i think they wrote it. I could be wrong though, it's a great song. I love Tiny Toons.

Okay people...they're just screwing around! I agree with belthazar...don't look into this song too much or you're head will hurt. So there!