Cult of Personality

I was listening to the radio yesterday and heard a favorite of mine from back in the day. It was the only real hit from the group Living Colour. The song was Cult of Personality. Listening to the lyrics, it struck me how prophetic this song really is. In case you are not familiar with it, the lyrics are as follows:

Look into my eyes, what do you see?
The cult of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I've been everything you want to be
I'm the cult of personality

Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the cult of personality
cult of personality
cult of personality

Neon lights, A Nobel Price
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don't have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your T.V.
I'm the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three
I'm the cult of personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandi
I'm the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights a Nobel Prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don't have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your God's name
I'm every person you need to be
Oh, I'm the cult of personality
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of personality

Who would have thought that lyrics written in 1988 could be so prophetic about the situation we are in now.

If you want something really interesting, read Wikipedia's entry on what the definition of a cult of personality is. It will send shivers down your spine