Hey Man
Eels; Mark Oliver Everett Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you know what it's like, to fall on the floor
Cry your guts out, 'till you got no more

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Hey man, now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything (oh sha la la)
And you really can't be wrong, you're game (oh sha la la)
Now you're really living, what this life is all about

Well I just saw the sun rise over the hill
Never used to give me much of a thrill

Hey man, now I'm really living

Do you know what it's like, to care too much
'Bout someone that you're never gonna get to touch

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever sat down in the fresh cut grass
Thought about the moment and when it will pass

Hey man, now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything (oh sha la la)
And you really can't be wrong, you're game (oh sha la la)
Now you're really living, what this life is all about

Now what would you say if I told you that
Every one thing's your crazy old cat

Hey man, now you're really living

Do you know what it's like, to fall on the floor
Cry your guts out, 'till you got no more

Hey man, now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world

Hey man, now you're really living

Do you know what it's like, to fall on the floor
Cry your guts out, 'till you got no more

Hey man, now you're really living

Well I just saw the sun rise over the hill
Never used to give me much of a thrill





Hey man, now I'm really living

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey Man" by Eels, is a contemplative tune about the meaning of life, and what it means to truly live. The lyrics describe various scenarios and experiences that make us feel alive, such as crying your heart out, making love to a beautiful girl, or simply watching the sunrise.


There's a sense of vulnerability in the opening lines, "Do you know what it's like, to fall on the floor Cry your guts out, 'till you got no more", as the song acknowledges the painful moments in life that can break us down. The chorus, "Hey man, now you're really living", becomes a statement of empowerment, encouraging us to embrace these experiences, and use them as a catalyst for growth and change.


The song also touches on the fleeting nature of life, and reminds us to live in the moment, and appreciate the beauty around us. The line "Thought about the moment and when it will pass" speaks to this idea, and encourages us to savor our experiences before they slip away. In many ways, "Hey Man" can be seen as a reminder to live authentically, without fear or reservation, and to find joy in even the simplest of things.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know what it's like, to fall on the floor
Have you ever experienced complete emotional breakdown and felt utterly helpless?


Cry your guts out, 'till you got no more
To weep uncontrollably until there is nothing left of you to give.


Hey man, now you're really living
Congratulations, you have experienced true, raw emotions.


Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl
Have you ever felt the pure joy and pleasure that comes with intimacy with someone you find beautiful?


Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Have you ever felt like everything in the world is okay and you are at peace because of love?


Now you're really giving everything (oh sha la la)
You are giving all of yourself, holding nothing back, with an energy and passion that is out of the ordinary.


And you really can't be wrong, you're game (oh sha la la)
You cannot fail because you are fearless and confident no matter the outcome of your efforts.


Now you're really living, what this life is all about
You are now truly living, experiencing life and understanding that it is all about taking risks, trying new things, and putting yourself out there.


Well I just saw the sun rise over the hill
I witnessed a beautiful, awe-inspiring moment of nature that I had previously taken for granted.


Never used to give me much of a thrill
It's something I hadn't previously appreciated, but now it fills me with excitement and wonder.


Do you know what it's like, to care too much
Do you understand the feeling of wanting something desperately and feeling like you care too much about it?


'Bout someone that you're never gonna get to touch
More specifically, have you ever had a strong emotional connection with someone you cannot have and therefore cannot physically touch?


Have you ever sat down in the fresh cut grass
Have you ever taken a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around you?


Thought about the moment and when it will pass
Have you ever realized that this moment, right now, will eventually come to an end and that you should cherish it while it lasts?


Now what would you say if I told you that
Imagine, for a moment, that I disclose something to you that you will find surprising or unexpected.


Every one thing's your crazy old cat
What if I told you that your seemingly insignificant and perhaps annoying house pet is actually a vital and important part of your life?




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK O. EVERETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions