Man In The Wilderness

I think it's about the songwriter/singer who's in a rut, not thinking--just doing what is required of him. He's also in front of the audience wanting to show his true self, but can't. He needs companionship to express his true self. Just my opinion. :-)

I think it is a dumb idea but since Bundy was arrested in 75 and the album was released in 78 it is not impossible but not likely. It just is not Tommy Shaw's style.

It is more likely about the loneliness we all feel that seems to make no sense because we are surrounded by people even some who love us..

"Man in the Wilderness" was written in 1977 by Tommy Shaw, and he has cited three main influences for it: His sudden rise to fame and fortune, and its corresponding loneliness; the return of his older brother from Vietnam; and the music of Kansas' "Leftoverture" album.

[Verse 1] Another year has passed me by Still I look at myself and cry What kind of man have I become? All of the years I've spent in search of myself And I'm still in the dark 'Cause I can't seem to find the light alone

[Chorus] Sometimes I feel like a man in the wilderness I'm a lonely soldier off to war Sent away to die, never quite knowing why Sometimes it makes no sense at all Makes no sense at all

[Verse 2] Ten thousand people look my way But they can't see the way that I feel Nobody even cares to try I spend my life and sell my soul on the road And I'm still in the dark 'Cause I can't seem to find the light alone

[Chorus] Sometimes I feel like a man in the wilderness I'm a lonely sailor lost at sea Drifting with the tide, never quite knowing why Sometimes it makes no sense at all

[Bridge] (I'm alive) Looking for love, I'm a man with emotion (And my heart's on fire) I'm dying of thirst in the middle of the ocean (I'm alive)

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus 1] Sometimes I feel like a man in the wilderness I'm a lonely soldier off to war Sent away to die, never quite knowing why Sometimes it makes no sense Sometimes it makes no sense Sometimes it makes no sense at all Makes no sense at all

[Outro] At all Can't find the meaning of it all Yeah Can't find the light alone, oh

Sure it could be, but I doubt it--big time. Neither Shaw nor JY's minds work that way, and I really doubt they'd ever write a song about a serial killer. And though it may have been WRITTEN by someone else, neither of them would ever agree to sing a gimicky song like this if it had such grim conotations.

What a weird- of all the people it could be; Ted Bundy. I always assumed that the singer was expressing himself. The "ten thousand people," line gave me that impression, I think.

Ted Bundy? What dickhead come up with that?

This song is great, evn thought the guitar riff towards the end is almost straight out of the song immediatley before it on the album, "Miss America".

As to the meaning, i agree with charadeur.

i heard tommy shaw in an interview say that he wrote the lyrics to this song when his older brother came home from vietnam...i've always thought this is one of the best songs that very few people have ever heard even before finding out it was written from the perspective of a returning vet & now i'm even more impressed by it...definitely one of tommy shaws best songs.

Wow what kind of sick mind sees Ted Bundy in this song. You probibly believe the Beatles wrote Helter Skelter for Charles Manson.