I'm a Man
Chicago Lyrics
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Never had no problems 'cause I've always paid the rent
I got no time for lovin'
'Cause my time is all used up
I stand outside creatin'
All the groovy kinds of love
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
If I had my choice of matter
I'd would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Showing where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong the love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I've got to keep my image
While I'm standing on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I've never had no problems
'Cause my body's pretty strong
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
If I had my choice of matter
I would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Showin' where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong your love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I gotta keep my image
While I'm standin on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I never had no problems
'Cause my body's pretty strong
I'm a man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
The lyrics of "I'm a Man" by Chicago discuss the singer's messy lifestyle and lack of time for love due to his focus on creating. He boasts about his strength and resilience while also expressing his desire to be with cats and engage in mental chatter instead of pursuing women. The repetition of "I'm a man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so" seems to suggest a conflicting desire for love and independence.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on toxic masculinity and the pressure men face to prioritize their careers over relationships, as well as the societal expectation for men to constantly assert their masculinity. The singer's desire to be with cats and engage in mental chatter can be seen as an escape from these expectations.
The repetition of the phrase "I'm a man" could also be interpreted as a desperate affirmation of the singer's masculinity and his desire to prove it to himself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my chin
I am not too worried about keeping a pristine living space, as I have facial hair growing on my face.
Never had no problems 'cause I've always paid the rent
I have never had any issues with paying rent because I am financially responsible.
I got no time for lovin'
'Cause my time is all used up
I am too busy to engage in romantic relationships because all my time is spent working on my creative pursuits.
I stand outside creatin'
All the groovy kinds of love
I am an artist who spends a lot of time creating various forms of love and expression out in the open.
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I am a man who sincerely loves you and cannot help but express my feelings for you.
If I had my choice of matter
I'd would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Showing where your mind is at
If I was given the option, I would rather spend my time around cats who are deep in thought and contemplation, as it reveals their personality and intellect.
While relating to each other
How strong the love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
As we connect with each other, we realize the strength of our love by refusing to indulge in hedonistic pleasures with attractive women we encounter.
I've got to keep my image
While I'm standing on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
I need to maintain a certain image and sense of pride when I'm performing, even if it means falling down to my knees.
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I've never had no problems
'Cause my body's pretty strong
Some people may see me as unemotional and tough, but in reality, I have never experienced any significant issues because I am physically strong.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jimmy Miller, Steve Winwood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James
on Oh, Thank You Great Spirit
Great song and a fitting tribute to Jimi from his friend and fan Terry Kath, I've all ways believed the song was kind of a prospective of the dead, coming to the realization that they have crossed over and or no longer burden by all of life's problem's and pain's and are now free from all, and now overcome with gratitude to the Great Spirit , Greater of the universe and of life , GOD, that he is now free to fly the heavenly sky's , but ether way death or just a good night's sleep, great song.