I found the perfect picture, of a perfect stranger.
It looked as if, it were taken in the forties sometime,
Judging by the style.
He could be a killer or a blind man with a cane,
Perhaps he died in a car crash, years ago.
Right now, it's impossible to tell.
I almost thought I saw him, standing, whistling on a bridge.
I asked him the time, but when he turned around,
I saw it wasn't him at all.
I'm still searching.
I'm still searching.
I saw him in an airport, while he was sitting on a wing.
And I waved to him, but I don't think he noticed me.
I've got a funny feeling I know who he is.
Mr. X (Repeat 14 times and fade)
It looked as if, it were taken in the forties sometime,
Judging by the style.
Perhaps he died in a car crash, years ago.
Right now, it's impossible to tell.
I asked him the time, but when he turned around,
I saw it wasn't him at all.
I'm still searching.
And I waved to him, but I don't think he noticed me.
I've got a funny feeling I know who he is.
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Warren Cann has stated that he wrote these lyrics about a particular person. As far as I know he hasn't revealed who it's about.
Though Warren Cann later denied this, I first thought this song was vaguely about John Foxx: Foxx was born in the forties, sang lyrics about cars and planes; and most of all he, was an ex-Ultravox member/frontman, so it could've been a pun: Mr: X = mr. EX = John Foxx (but like I said, Warren Cann later denied the song being about Foxx)
I have a memory of Midge Ure using "Who is Mr X" as a quiz question on a UK children's Saturday morning show in the early 80's. Presumably it was answered the next week.
I always assumed that Mr X was the singer's missing father.
I can't help but recall the enigmatic Mr. X from "The X Files". very good song.
When I listen to the lyrics I picture Syd Barrett as Mr. X. This is mainly due to the way his life spiralled almost in the same way as a car crash and he disappeared into reclusiveness. Unfortunately I can't link Syd Barrett to the "sitting on a wing" line but as it is said in the lyrics.... "I'm Still Searching......"