5 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
'Cause I'm A Man Lyrics
Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to
Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know what I always think I'm bind but
You never accept defeat or let it slide
But I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
My weakness is the source of all my pride, I'll tell you why
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know what I always think I'm bind but
You never accept defeat or let it slide
But I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
My weakness is the source of all my pride, I'll tell you why
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
This song spoke to me, and I'm not here to say this is THE interpretation, but rather, this is what it made me think of as I listened to it.
This song brings to mind a lot of the more powerful, perhaps 'primal' urges I experience like Anger, Ego, and Sexuality etc. These are strong urges, and (social constructivists might argue) I feel these because I AM A MAN. And often these urges that I feel, are simply to strong to stand up to. The rational side of me is beaten down to a pulp, and the more primal, animalistic side of me comes out. Often to later regret.
"It dawns on me, what have I done?"
But this is not only a weakness, these urges also represent a great source of strength for the more masculine. We want to conquer, sometimes to our own peril.
"My weakness is the source of all my pride"
It doesn't matter that we might be outnumbered on the battlefield, we will fight to the death (often stupidly so), but the flipside of this is that this gives us a great courage which we would otherwise be unable to muster. Even if in the moment we got swept up and rationality got brushed to the wayside, and in our more rational contemplative moments we are unable to empathize with the animalistic presence occupying our body not so long ago... Who was this idiot? What were they thinking? Where was the sense?
"You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled But it's prone to be overruled"
I feel it ends up speaking to a male impulsiveness, where a man realizes he's made a mistake. He was overcome in the moment, and now he attempts to make an apology, even though he know he will never be able to fully rectify the wrong he did, he will never be able to provide a guarantee that he won't repeat his mistake. He simply asks the offended for empathy, to realize that sometimes there's a primal part of him, and that part will always be there, even if he doesn't fully understand it.
"Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why But it buys me a little more time"
The song is wonderful but literal.. no interpretation really is needed
Women are impulsive and act on emotions. They expect to be understood regardless of the consequences because their reasons are intangible and cannot be argued with. Men are supposed to compartmentalise their logical life, the practical and the emotional. The confused artists we are force fed, live a precarious life between truth, confusion, rage and loyalty.
I like to think this is a highly ironic song where a man justifies his violence and mistake in the solely reason that he is a man… So, there is no reason, and he knows.
@carolaclavo oh man, I really hope this is not what the song writer intended to convey with his lyrics. I personally disagree. Here's my take:
@carolaclavo oh man, I really hope this is not what the song writer intended to convey with his lyrics. I personally disagree. Here's my take:
This guys is arguing with his girl. "Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry" says he is putting holes in her argument. "In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why," the girl is dropping her argument and attacking him personally.
This guys is arguing with his girl. "Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry" says he is putting holes in her argument. "In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why," the girl is dropping her argument and attacking him personally.
He replies, "Cus I'm a man, woman/ don't always think before I do." She has dropped the original argument and attacking him personally, and he is...
He replies, "Cus I'm a man, woman/ don't always think before I do." She has dropped the original argument and attacking him personally, and he is left defending his words or actions to her. He's also saying don't put words into my mouth.
Pride will not allow him to concede his point. He is a man. Proud, tough by nature. He will not drop his natural proclivities just to appease his opponent.
@kid1 the thing is… I don't think men are "though by nature" or proud or else. That is something men learn like anybody.
@kid1 the thing is… I don't think men are "though by nature" or proud or else. That is something men learn like anybody.
@carolaclavo perhaps it is learned to a certain extent. I would argue that men are inherently more aggressive, competitive than women for the most part though. I'm sure we can find some outliers if we search the data but overall men are more prone to this type of behavior.
@carolaclavo perhaps it is learned to a certain extent. I would argue that men are inherently more aggressive, competitive than women for the most part though. I'm sure we can find some outliers if we search the data but overall men are more prone to this type of behavior.
The fact that we produce more testosterone should be good evidence to support this claim.
The fact that we produce more testosterone should be good evidence to support this claim.
@kid1 Sorry, I dissagree with you deeply and I don't feel like starting an argument that is far beyond the purpose of this site. Men can be however they want and there is no biological justification for violence or any behavior based on gender. Even though violence is mostly exerted by men today, to me that is a cultural problem. I'll add that there is not one only way to "be a man". Be free and enjoy the music whatever it means to you or me. Cheers!
@kid1 Sorry, I dissagree with you deeply and I don't feel like starting an argument that is far beyond the purpose of this site. Men can be however they want and there is no biological justification for violence or any behavior based on gender. Even though violence is mostly exerted by men today, to me that is a cultural problem. I'll add that there is not one only way to "be a man". Be free and enjoy the music whatever it means to you or me. Cheers!
@kid1 precisely my point is that if you did wrong and you want to blame it on being a man, you shouldn't: You can't. So the song it's more interesting to me as an ironic song. And that is my opinion, of course anyone can have its own and there will be one for each one person that listens to it.
@kid1 precisely my point is that if you did wrong and you want to blame it on being a man, you shouldn't: You can't. So the song it's more interesting to me as an ironic song. And that is my opinion, of course anyone can have its own and there will be one for each one person that listens to it.
@carolaclavo I agree this is not the platform to argue this point lol. To be clear I am not advocating physical violence in any way, shape, or form. When I referred to aggression, or pride, or competitiveness, I meant it in the context of having an argument. Never mentioned violence. Just wanted to make that point clear.
@carolaclavo I agree this is not the platform to argue this point lol. To be clear I am not advocating physical violence in any way, shape, or form. When I referred to aggression, or pride, or competitiveness, I meant it in the context of having an argument. Never mentioned violence. Just wanted to make that point clear.
I appreciated hearing your view on the song, and hope that this shows that people can have a spirited discussion without resorting to name calling or any "trollish" behavior :)
I appreciated hearing your view on the song, and hope that this shows that people can have a spirited discussion without resorting to name calling or any "trollish" behavior :)
Thanks again! Cheers to you as well.
Thanks again! Cheers to you as well.
@kid1 anytime! Great album! :-)
@kid1 anytime! Great album! :-)
@carolaclavo well they said is ironic and they hope people will figure it out themselves. HA! https://www.stereogum.com/1795134/tame-impala-hope-people-dont-think-cause-im-a-man-is-sexist/news/
@carolaclavo well they said is ironic and they hope people will figure it out themselves. HA! https://www.stereogum.com/1795134/tame-impala-hope-people-dont-think-cause-im-a-man-is-sexist/news/
I think he cheated on his gurl