In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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Pretty straight-ahead: a woman trying to seduce an Ozzie Nelson type. But it seems odd to file this under Hall & Oates since it was originally a Mike Oldfeld tune.
True,but they're version is the best known.
What a sad song.
is it about a hooker? Was he Playing hard to get :-\
um i think this song is about a guy who has a family and a women comes up and trys to get him but he wont go.
awesome song!
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.