Ray sings about the capitalists of the world, who only care about money, represented as a single “Powerman”. They exert influence on everyone including the narrator, who tries to stay uncorrupted by greed and keep his alternative values.
It’s one of the harder-hitting songs on the album.
[Verse 1]
I know a man, he's a powerful man
Got the people in his power in the palm of his hand
He started at the bottom but he worked his way up
Now he's never going to stop until he reaches the top
[Chorus]
It's the same old story
It's the same old dream
It's Powerman, Powerman, and all that it can bring
[Verse 2]
If you want your money, better stand in the line
But you'll only end up picking up the nickels and dimes
You call him names and he sits and grins
'Cause everybody else is just a sucker to him
[Chorus]
And he's got my money
But I've got my faith
And Powerman, Powerman, I'll never be your slave
It's the same old story
It's the same old game
Powerman, Powerman, he's driving me insane
[Bridge]
People tried to conquer the world
Napoleon and Genghis Khan
Hitler tried and Mussolini too
Powerman don't need to fight
Powerman don't need no guns
Powerman got money on his side
[Verse 3]
Well I'm not rich and I'm not free
But I've got my girl and she got me
He's got my money and my publishing rights
But I've got my girl and I'm alright
[Chorus]
And she's got me going
And she keeps me sane
Powerman, Powerman, got money on the brain
It's the same old story
It's the same old game
Powerman, Powerman, he's driving me insane
Powerman was written by Ray Davies.
Powerman was produced by Ray Davies.