02 Watch That Man
David Bowie Lyrics


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Shaky threw a party that lasted all night
Everybody drank a lot of something nice
There was an old fashioned band of married men
Looking up to me for encouragement it was so-so
The ladies looked bad but the music was sad
No one took their eyes off Lorraine
She shimmered and she strolled like a Chicago moll
Her feathers looked better and better it was so-so
Yeah it was time to unfreeze
When the reverend alabaster danced on his knees
Slam so it wasn't a game
Cracking all the mirrors in shame

Watch that man oh honey, watch that man
He talks like a jerk but he could eat you with a fork and spoon
Watch that man oh honey, watch that man
He walks like a jerk
But he's only taking care of the room
Must be in tune

A Benny Goodman fan painted holes in his hands
So shaky hung him up to dry
The pundits were hoking the manholes were smoking
And every bottle battled with the reason why
The girl on the phone wouldn't leave me alone
A throw back from someone's LP
A lemon in a bag played the tiger rag
And the bodies on the screen stopped bleeding
Yeah I was shaking like a leaf
For I couldn't understand the conversation
Yeah I ran to the street, looking for information

Watch that man oh honey, watch that man
He talks like a jerk but he could eat you with a fork and spoon
Watch that man oh honey, watch that man
He walks like a jerk
But he's only taking care of the room
Must be in tune

Watch that man
Watch that man
Watch that man, oh, oh, oh, oh
Watch that man
Watch that man
(Watch that man)
Watch that man
Watch that man
Watch that man
(Watch that man)
(Watch that man)




(Watch that man)
(Watch that man)

Overall Meaning

"Watch That Man" is a song by David Bowie, released in 1973. It is a funky, upbeat track that features a jazzy horn section and catchy guitar riff. The song opens with a description of a party thrown by a man named Shaky, where the music is bad, the ladies are ugly, and the men are old-fashioned. However, Bowie's attention is drawn to a woman named Lorraine, who moves and shimmers like a 1920s flapper. The song then moves on to various scenes of chaos and wild behavior, including a man painted with holes, pundits hoking, smoking manholes, and a girl on the phone who won't leave Bowie alone. The song culminates with Bowie running to the street, looking for information.


Line by Line Meaning

Shaky threw a party that lasted all night
Shaky hosted a long party


Everybody drank a lot of something nice
Alcohol was consumed in large quantities


There was an old fashioned band of married men
The band consisted of traditional, married musicians


Looking up to me for encouragement it was so-so
The band was mediocre and relied on David Bowie's encouragement


The ladies looked bad but the music was sad
The women were unattractive, but the music was depressing


No one took their eyes off Lorraine
Lorraine was captivating and the center of attention


She shimmered and she strolled like a Chicago moll
Lorraine walked with confidence and style like a Chicago gangster's girlfriend


Her feathers looked better and better it was so-so
Although Lorraine's appearance improved, the party remained mediocre


Yeah it was time to unfreeze
It was time to loosen up and have fun


When the reverend alabaster danced on his knees
The religious figure danced flamboyantly


Slam so it wasn't a game
The party was intense and not casual


Cracking all the mirrors in shame
The events caused embarrassment and damage


Watch that man oh honey, watch that man
Pay attention to that man's behavior


He talks like a jerk but he could eat you with a fork and spoon
The man may seem unpleasant, but he is very skilled and dangerous


He walks like a jerk
The man walks with an awkward or unpleasant gait


But he's only taking care of the room
The man is responsible for the party's environment


Must be in tune
It is important to be organized and coordinated


A Benny Goodman fan painted holes in his hands
A fan of Benny Goodman (famous jazz clarinetist) damaged his hands in a strange way


So shaky hung him up to dry
Shaky punished the fan for his strange behavior


The pundits were hoking the manholes were smoking
The media was exaggerating and there was smoke coming out of manholes


And every bottle battled with the reason why
The excessive drinking caused confusion and confrontation


The girl on the phone wouldn't leave me alone
Someone on the phone was persistent and annoying


A throw back from someone's LP
The background music was from a vinyl record


A lemon in a bag played the tiger rag
An unusual instrument played upbeat jazz music


And the bodies on the screen stopped bleeding
Violence on TV appeared to become less intense


Yeah I was shaking like a leaf
David Bowie was very anxious


For I couldn't understand the conversation
David Bowie had difficulty following a conversation


Yeah I ran to the street, looking for information
David Bowie left the party to gather information elsewhere


Watch that man
Pay attention to someone's behavior or actions


Watch that man
Pay attention to someone's behavior or actions


Watch that man, oh, oh, oh, oh
Emphasis on the importance of watching someone's behavior or actions


Watch that man
Pay attention to someone's behavior or actions


Watch that man
Pay attention to someone's behavior or actions




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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