War Paint

Richie Kotzen's song 'War Paint' delves into the internal struggles and emotional battles that many people face. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with their own feelings and the pressures imposed by external forces. The opening lines, 'Take my days, been building me / A man struggle lifting his feet,' suggest a journey of self-construction and the weight of personal challenges. The repeated assertion, 'I'm not tied to you,' indicates a desire for liberation from these burdens, whether they are self-imposed or from external expectations.

The metaphor of 'war paint' is central to the song, symbolizing the preparation and determination to face one's inner demons. By stating, 'I'll wear the war paint just fight off my demons until them all defy me,' Kotzen emphasizes the need for resilience and the act of confronting one's fears head-on. This imagery of war paint evokes a sense of readiness for battle, not against an external enemy, but against the internal struggles that can often be more daunting. The line, 'Honey, oh honey, you'll never find me,' further underscores the theme of evasion and the desire to hide one's true self from the world.

The song also touches on themes of freedom and self-realization. Lines like 'Could be freed, maybe it's greed / All them vultures want you to bleed' reflect the societal pressures and the often predatory nature of external forces that seek to exploit vulnerabilities. However, Kotzen offers a glimmer of hope with, 'There's still time if you believe / Take a second maybe suddenly you see you're not tied.' This suggests that liberation and self-empowerment are possible through belief and self-awareness. The closing lines, 'Saved from connivent Jesus, I got it all behind me now,' hint at a personal redemption and the overcoming of past struggles, leaving the listener with a sense of resolution and hope.