Clayman Lyrics

Lyric discussion by DeathRider 

Cover art for Clayman lyrics by In Flames

@ Dreadnaught

Actually, I read it quite opposite. In reality, plastic actually means moldable. Clay is described as moldable or plastic.

Anders isn't the clay man, but he's singing from the perspective of someone he describes that way. The plastic people, the sculpture made of clay, are symbolizing those who change with whatever the fad or craze of the day is, molded by the media, MTV, and everyone else.

You had the right idea, though.

Actually when most people think of plastic, they thing of hard material that makes up most of the things we have. "Plastic people" is a pretty negative term in itself. Besides the fact of plastic not being moldable post production, plastic can also be a term used as "fake", so he can also be referring to "plastic people" as "fake poser people" who would do anything to fit in.

Anders has stated that it's about being moldable like clay, because when people think of clay, they think of that moldable material that...

DeathRider is correct in that plastic means moldable or fluid. However, the difference here is when the term plastic is applied to a living thing, like a person, which is where clay-man's interpretation comes in. A plastic person isn't a fluid person, they are a doll.