Meaning of "Prisoner" by King's X

The lyrics of "Prisoner" delve into the emotional turmoil of being stuck in a situation that feels suffocating and restricting. The imagery of a smile as a lie and the smoke in one's eyes conveys a sense of deception and obscured vision, mirroring the confusion and delusion mentioned in the song. The repeated lines questioning if things could be different and the desire to run away from it all highlight a yearning for escape from whatever circumstances are causing this distress. The reference to choosing death for life and being a smiling executioner adds a darker layer to the lyrics, suggesting that sometimes we may be complicit in our own suffering or in causing harm to ourselves. Overall, "Prisoner" speaks to the human experience of feeling trapped, lost, and searching for a way out, combined with a sense of urgency as time passes by.