The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Now, when I was a little boy
At the age of five
I had somethin' in my pocket
Keeps a lot of folks alive
Now I'm a man
Turnin' twenty one
You know, baby
We can have a lot of fun
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
All you pretty women
Standin' in line
I can make a love to you, baby
In an hours time
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
Goin' back down
To Kansas town
To bring back the second cousin
Little Johnny the Conqueroo
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
The line I shoot
Will never miss
The way I make love to 'em
They can't resist
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
Woah, I'm a man
At the age of five
I had somethin' in my pocket
Keeps a lot of folks alive
Now I'm a man
Turnin' twenty one
You know, baby
We can have a lot of fun
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
All you pretty women
Standin' in line
I can make a love to you, baby
In an hours time
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
Goin' back down
To Kansas town
To bring back the second cousin
Little Johnny the Conqueroo
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
The line I shoot
Will never miss
The way I make love to 'em
They can't resist
I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Woah, I'm a man
Woah, I'm a man
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
What does he mean by:
"I had somethin' in my pocket, Keep a lot of folks alive."
That's what I was wondering too.
try to guess...