The lyrics describe a man who feels like a misfit, old before his time due to poverty pushing him to a life of crime. He spends his days in boredom, wondering why his surroundings seem so strange. He drowns his confusion in alcohol, feeling like a prisoner in a supposed land of freedom.

Meaning of "The Prisoner" by UB40

The lyrics of "The Prisoner" by UB40 paint a picture of a man who is disillusioned by the society he lives in. Despite being in a place that claims to offer freedom and opportunity, he feels trapped by poverty, crime, and a sense of not belonging. The references to "burger bars" and "shirt and jeans" highlight the clash between traditional and modern values, making him feel like a "naked savage" in a world that he can't relate to. His escapism through alcohol only serves to deepen his sense of irony and imprisonment. The repetition of the line "a prisoner in the land of the free" drives home the feeling of being stuck in a place that promises more than it delivers, highlighting the struggle of those who feel marginalized and overlooked in society.