The song is about the protest in China for democracy, held in 1989:
1989 Tiananmen Square protests - Wikipedia
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Wikipedia
1989 Tiananmen Square protests Part of the Chinese democracy movement, the Revolutions of 1989 and the Cold War Date April 15, 1989 - June 4, 1989;32 years ago (1 month, 2 w...
[Verse 1]
On June 5th, in the year of '89
He was unarmed with focused mind
Defiance glared down the barrel of the gun
Pointed from a tank in Tiananmen Square
And he stood there...
[Pre-Chorus]
To control, to manipulate
The media: his power slave
[Chorus]
He knew the world was watching
Knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny
In the square of Tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire
Freedom, wash over them
Democracy, their desire
The Tiananmen man had a plan:
[Post-Chorus]
Manipulate the media
[Verse 2]
He used blind faith in the face of anarchy
The cybernetic rapture has begun to envelop me
Freedom is the rush, adrenaline high
Choice of the oppressed, wiling to die
Like a hostage, the government holds your drug
[Pre-Chorus]
To control, to manipulate
The masses: their power slaves
[Chorus]
He knew the world was watching
Knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny
In the square of Tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire
Freedom, wash over them
Democracy, their desire
The Tiananmen man had a plan:
[Post-Chorus]
Manipulate the media
[Bridge]
His act was a cybernetic gesture
His act was a cybernetic gesture
[Chorus]
He knew the world was watching
Knew he had a plan
To confront the powerful tyranny
In the square of Tiananmen
Ecstatic youth played with fire
Freedom, wash over them
Democracy, their desire
The Tiananmen man had a plan:
[Outro]
Manipulate the media
Manipulate the media
Manipulate to control
The Tiananmen Man was written by Warrel Dane & Nevermore.
The Tiananmen Man was produced by Neil Kernon.
Nevermore released The Tiananmen Man on Tue Jul 23 1996.