The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Matador" by the artist "White Buffalo, The"

The song "The Matador" by The White Buffalo tells the story of a cold-blooded killer known as the Matador.

The lyrics paint a picture of a man who revels in violence and has turned killing into a spectacle. He doesn't just settle scores; he does it publicly, in front of crowds, relishing his power over life and death.

The line "He settles his scores, killing in plain view, with a blade and a smile" conveys the image of a ruthless individual who derives pleasure from his actions.

There's a hint that the Matador wasn't always this way. The lines "But today he didn't know what to think, 'cause he hadn't had his fill to drink" might suggest that alcohol numbs his conscience or fear, allowing him to commit murder.

The imagery of the Matador "shining in the sun," "playing God," emphasizes his arrogance and sense of self-importance. He sees himself as above others, and killing is his calling.

The description of the crowd's reaction – "children cried in their mothers' arms from the deafening roar of the crowd that jumped to their feet when the hot blood spilled" – creates a contrast between the Matador's brutality and the horror of the witnesses.

"The Matador" is a dark tale of human cruelty, fame, and the price one pays for their sins.