Singer / songwriter / bassist Napolitano formed the band Dream 6 with guitarist James Mankey in Los Angeles in 1982, releasing an eponymous EP in France on the Happy Hermit label in 1983. When they signed with IRS in 1986, labelmate Michael Stipe suggested the name Concrete Blonde, describing the contrast between their hard rock music and introspective lyrics. They were joined by drummer Harry Rushakoff on their eponymous debut album. Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson replaced Rushakoff on Bloodletting and several tracks on Mexican Moon, while Rushakoff was in treatment for drug addiction. Rushakoff was kicked out of the band in 2002 for failing to show up for several rehearsals and shows. He was replaced by Gabriel Ramirez.
Their most popular album was 1990's Bloodletting. The band broke up in 1995, but reunited in 2001, releasing Group Therapy in 2002 and Mojave in 2004.
It's a Man's Man's Man's World
Concrete Blonde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it wouldn't be nothing
Without a woman or a girl
Man made the cars
To take us over the road
Man made the trains
To carry his manmade load
That he possibly can
He's busy making money
To buy from other men
[Chorus]
Man made the electric light
To take us out of the dark
Man made the boats on the water
They say Noah made the Ark
You man have made everything
That you possibly can
You're so busy making money
To buy from other men
[Chorus]
Lost
Well, he's lost
In his wilderness
Well, he's lost
Lost in his bitterness
[Chorus]
Man said he love the little bitty baby girls
And the little bitty baby boys
Tries so hard to make them happy
With his man made toys
Man's making everything
That he possibly can
Busy making his almighty money
To buy from other men
[Chorus]
The song, It's A Man's World by Concrete Blonde, is a reflection on the patriarchal society we live in. The lyrics express how everything that surrounds us has been created by men, but these things would not mean anything if it wasn't for the existence of women. The repetition of the phrase "man's world" emphasizes the dominant role that men play in society. The first stanza mentions how man has made cars and trains, which are used to transport people and goods. It is a metaphor for how men have constructed the society that we live in. They are the ones who have created the systems and structures that we use every day.
However, the chorus reminds us that although men have created many things, they did not create everything. They have also used some of the things created by other men. The second stanza mentions how men have invented the electric light and boats. The mention of Noah's Ark is a reference to a story from the Bible, where Noah built an Ark to save his family and animals from a flood. It shows how even in religion, men are credited with the power to save humanity.
The song's final stanza talks about how men profess to love both baby girls and boys equally, but they try to make them happy using their man-made toys. This line has a satirical undertone, which emphasizes how men try to buy their way into the lives of children rather than investing in emotional relationships. The song is a powerful reminder of how the world is still far from equality, and how women's contributions to society are often overlooked.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a man's, man's, man's, man's world
Men have been the dominant gender and have had control over most aspects of society
But it wouldn't be nothing
Without a woman or a girl
Men wouldn't have achieved anything if not for the contribution of women and girls
Man made the cars
Men have been responsible for creating technologies like cars
To take us over the road
So we can travel to different places with ease
Man made the trains
Men also invented trains which are used for transportation
To carry his manmade load
These technologies are used to transport items that are made by men
Man has made everything
Men have created most of the things we use in our daily lives
That he possibly can
Men have used their knowledge and expertise to create everything that is possible
He's busy making money
Men are always trying to earn money and improve their financial standing
To buy from other men
Men are also interested in purchasing things that other men have created
Man made the electric light
Men have made electricity available to us through light bulbs
To take us out of the dark
Electricity has brightened our homes and streets and eliminated darkness
Man made the boats on the water
Men have also designed boats for travel and transportation
They say Noah made the Ark
Even stories from the past talk about how men built boats for survival
You man have made everything
Men are still very much in control and continue to create things that are useful
You're so busy making money
Men are often preoccupied with earning more money
Lost
However, men often feel lost and uncertain about their lives despite their power and control
Well, he's lost
They find themselves struggling in their own emotional wilderness
In his wilderness
Men feel like they are trying to survive in an environment where they are expected to be dominant and strong
Well, he's lost
Despite their power, men are often dealing with feelings of dissatisfaction and bitterness
Lost in his bitterness
These negative emotions lead to them feeling lost and disconnected
Man said he love the little bitty baby girls
Men claim to love and care for young girls
And the little bitty baby boys
They also claim to care for young boys
Tries so hard to make them happy
Men want to make children happy
With his man made toys
Men design and create toys for kids to enjoy
Man's making everything
Men are still creating new things and technologies
That he possibly can
They continue to use their expertise to make things that are possible
Busy making his almighty money
Money is still a priority for men and they are always trying to make more of it
To buy from other men
Men are also eager to buy things that their fellow men have created
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BETTY NEWSOME, BETTY JEAN NEWSOME, JAMES BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind