As a listener to Howard Jones right from the release of New Song when I was only just a teenager, it wasn't just the catchy tunes that caught my attention but the message behind the lyrics. With this in mind, I have the following question...

Just what is Hunger For The Flesh all about?? Is it just me being thick? With most of Howard's songs you can pick up what the message is pretty quickly, but this one escapes me. Is it to do with ghosts or sex or what?

If there is anybody out there who can enlighten me on this it would be much appreciated. And maybe there are other songs that people think, "Hmm, sounds great. What the heck does it mean?"

So, confess here. Someone may enlighten you.

And we won't tell a soul...

reincarnation? buddhism?

Hi GD- I believe it comes from the Buddhist/Hindu Book of the Dead ...Best thing is to Netflix some of Joseph Campbell's lectures on Eastern religion- he describes the passage and journey of the afterlife very clearly ....and Howard captured one of the 'Hells' that could await someone who's path is dark from fear and attachment very eloquently... I think you will dig knowing the whole idea : D

Read the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which encourages non-attachment (to material objects, to our emotions, memories, mental-set ups, etc..., and even to our bodies). This attachment add more karma to us and keeps us from attaining liberation or enlightenment. At the time of death, we can't easily let go. When we do, we return for round two (or three or four or seventy!). The new George Harrison documentary, Living in the Material World, shares much of George's similar beliefs of not clinging to the body at the time of death. Very interesting stuff. As a teen, this song also went right over my head!

Try a search for "Bill Bryant" on Wikipedia. He was the lyricist on the Humans Lib album and wrote the lyrics for half the songs. He has a website where one can ask him questions; he's very spiritually oriented which explains the spiritual dimension of Howard’s early songs.