'Bout what makes a man a man
Was it brain or brawn, or the month you were born
We just couldn't understand
He said that only women wear long hair
We knew what we had to do
We went downstairs, past the barber and gymnasium
And got our arms tattooed
I'm a man now, thanks to you
I expect I'll regret you
But the skin graft man won't get you
You'l be there when I die
Tattoo
But my mother naturally liked it and beat my brother
'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude
And my mother thought that was extremely rude
We've a long time together, me and you
I expect I'll regret you
But the skin graft man won't get you
You'll be there when I die
Tattoo
My wife is tattooed too
A rooty-toot-toot, rooty-tooty-toot-toot
Rooty-toot-toot tattoo too
To you
Another youthful Townshend song questioning his masculinity. They should play this one for all the kids getting tattoos today....because "you'll be there when I die" and may look pretty silly at 90.
I believe that this song has two main themes or meanings:
- What makes a man a man from a philosophical viewpoint and the differing opinions about it, and:
- Young people often do things in their youth that they end up regretting when they're much, much older.
This song rocks! Lyrics is self-explained. My fav the who song.
haha, pete townsend was at an all time high in that period, this is just great song writing, and hilarious too, as is most of the who sell out and a lot of singles, up intill tommy
The Who Sell Out is an example of when rock was FUN.
When i was on my way to get my 1st tatt, i listened to this song over & over...hehe, i love how Roge's voice just flows with this one...:)
fantastic song, the live version at Leeds is awesome too
yea I agree, the way Dalterey's voice flows along is awesome, great back vocals too, nice and trippy
Two brothers discuss all the childish ways you can determine if you are a man.
Then go out and find the real way... by making your own decisions despite what others think. Especially your parents.
An oddity in the Who's catalogue in that the live version (as heard on "Live at Leeds") is very good, but the original recording doesn't quite make it. The difference is Roger's full-bodied vocals on the live version, as well the more 'electric' feel. The lyrics are pretty amusing, but also a bit clunky. "Our old man didn't like our appearance / he said that only women wear long hair" is the type of lyric that doesn't easily roll off the tongue.