That Arrogant Dick Nixon (12-10-73 / Roxy Rehearsal)

Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a blistering portrait of Richard Nixon, fueled by raw contempt and a sense of betrayal. The opening lines immediately establish a tone of aggressive disdain, calling him an "arrogant dick" whose "lies are a legend." The imagery of his "nose got so long it could reach to L.A." is a vivid, almost cartoonish exaggeration of his perceived dishonesty, suggesting a monumental scale to his deception. The narrator seems to lament the public's choice, framing it as a victory for the "ignorant people" swayed by "commercials" and an "idiot's choice." This highlights a perceived disconnect between the leader and a discerning populace, suggesting that superficial appeal trumped genuine understanding or integrity. The lyrics imply a deep disappointment in the electorate's susceptibility to manufactured images. The imagined "office recording machine" becomes a focal point for the narrator's disgust, portraying Nixon as a "bore and a prude and obnoxiously rude." The wish for him to "get screwed" is blunt and visceral, reflecting a desire for retribution. The escalating imagery of his "nose will grow and grow and enter the world / Of fakers and fuckers and suckers like you" extends this condemnation to anyone complicit or deluded, blurring the lines between the leader and his perceived followers. Ultimately, the lyrics express a profound disillusionment, questioning the very nature of leadership and public perception. The final lines, "All the time that he knew, he was pissing on you / Where is he now?" leave a lingering sense of bitter inquiry, suggesting that despite the power and deception, the ultimate reckoning is inevitable, and the legacy is one of contempt.