Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
She had sulky smile
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She had sultry eyes
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
Dropped her price and pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man around
He looked her up and down
She knew he couldn't decide if he should hold his ground
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He's just "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might" (ayy)
She turned, tossed her head
Unlike her opening move, her final exit line
He waited much too long
But by the time he got his courage up she was gone
Then he screamed, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far, I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And I don't think I want it tonight"
Then he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
Don't leave me alone 'cause I got to go home please
Leave me alone, I'm a family man"
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She had sultry eyes
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
Dropped her price and pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man around
He looked her up and down
She knew he couldn't decide if he should hold his ground
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He's just "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might" (ayy)
She turned, tossed her head
Unlike her opening move, her final exit line
He waited much too long
But by the time he got his courage up she was gone
Then he screamed, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far, I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And I don't think I want it tonight"
Then he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
Don't leave me alone 'cause I got to go home please
Leave me alone, I'm a family man"
Lyrics submitted by Tidalcloud
Family Man Lyrics as written by Eddie Fenn David Brough Pert-morris
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Final verse as I hear it: She turned, tossed her head and then Like her opening mover her final exit line. He waited much too long But by the time he got his courage up she was gone And he screamed! Repeat chorus And I don't think I want it tonight. Repeat chorus
Are there different versions out there?
Also, I don't think this has to be about a hooker (but wikipedia has the quote to say that it is). The price could be his relationship with his family. Back in the 80's divorce carried a different stigma. The woman is the metaphorical embodiment of a fork in the road. I like the honesty of being able to be pushed too far. I also like how the family is an abstract idea in the song and none of the family's virtues are being directly compared to the temptress; much like it would be in real life. I also like that when his will finally broke, the temptress was gone. She also was neither good nor evil and she did not seem to push him too far directly and ended up removing herself from the situation. For a hopeless 80's pop song there is a lot of realism embedded.
@Marmot14 Yes, I'm sure you have it right, the lyrics are from the Oldfield version. Which is very interesting because it is sung by a woman; gives it a different perspective.