I tell you he's a private man
In a public circumstance
He's eyeing off an old door frame
Looking for a drastic change

It's such a shame this has to end
But things are out of his command

He has no further truth to tell
Now he has absolved himself
He's eyeing off an old door frame
History secures his name

It's such a shame this has to end
But things are out of his command
There's no more problems to defend
Now he falls so far

I tell you he's a private man
In a public circumstance
He's eyeing off an old door frame
Looking for a tragic change

It's such a shame this has to end
But things are out of his command
There's no more problems to defend
When he falls so far
When he falls so far
When he falls so far
When he falls so hard


Lyrics submitted by swayer

Private Man Lyrics as written by Darren Stuart Middleton Bernard Joseph Fanning

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Private Man song meanings
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  • +1
    Song Meaning

    Great analysis 'freak'. I saw Powderfinger perform last night and they played this song. Everything suddenly clicked into place for me with the meaning, and I came to almost identical conclusions!

    I figured 'Now he falls so far' refers to his reputation. One of Australia's most talented and respected musicians being forever remembered as the dude who accidentally hung himself during some kind of sex game, as rumours suggested at the time of his death. His reputation became about how he died, not his talent.

    Marisa452on November 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is an easy one to figure out. It is about the suicide of a famous person (I think it may be INXS singer, powderfinger did mention they wrote a song about him).

    "I tell you he’s a private man In a public circumstance " This man is hiding something maybe his depression. In public he outs on a facade, so no one knows how he is really feeling.

    "He’s eyeing off an old doorframe Looking for a drastic change" I think Michael (INXS singer) hanged himself from a door knob. He is not happy with his life at the moment something has to change or he will never snap out of his depression (or what ever it was he was feeling)

    "It’s such a shame this has to end But things are out of his command" Its such a shame he feels he has no way out but to die. His life is spinning out of control.

    "History secures his name" could be a reference to this person being famous.

    "There’s no more problems to defend" A sign of suicide is when a person becomes really happy, he has found a way to solve his problems and he will be soon free of them forever.

    "Now he falls so far" THis is the only confusing about the song because michael, I dont think, jumped of a building. Maybe powderfinger are genralising the song to the whole population this can be backed up by "When he falls so far When you fall so far Now he falls so far When you fall so hard" I think the band maybe challanging people not to take this road. It only causes pain for other people. When you have a problem try to tackle it in a way that is healthy for yourself.

    I can fully relate to this song, it is one of my all-time favourites. I tend not to listen to it these days it depresses me.

    _freak_on July 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Nice analysis 'freak'. I never really could work it out properly, but you're spot on. If you are correct, then the line 'now he falls so far' makes perfect metaphorical sense. They aren't talking about a physical fall here but a mental and psychological collapse where 'he falls so far'. A perfect line in the context really

    podson October 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    if freak is right, which i think he may be, then the Michael Hutchence reference makes sense that he makes mention of. He was the INXS singer who hanged himself from a door ("old doorframe") in his hotel room.

    timmy_r!on December 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i like the michael hutchence idea. INXS and the finger are two of my all-time favourite bands and this is a kick-ass song. i'd never thought of this song being about suicide, but it makes perfect sence. well done "freak"

    mixitupon April 28, 2007   Link

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