Media Man
Flash and the Pan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While leaning to the right
Blinded by the bright light
Where grey is black and white - no sight
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to say
Clap hands for the media man
But does he breathe when the bright lights fade away
He used to be an acts man
A weaver in the ring
He could have been a tax man
The way he did his thing - with strings
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to smile
Clap hands for the media man
But watch him laugh when he's crying all the while
Media man - he's a media man
Clap hands for the media man
He always know where to be
Clap hands for the media man
But does he back off when he sees the things he see
Media man - he's a media man
Easy on the eyesight
Compere collar hair
Mass appealing tonsils
Poisoning the air - no fair
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to do
Clap hands for the media man
But does he think when he has to read the news
Media man - that's right he's a media man
See him push, see him crawl
Watch him rise, watch him fall
The excuse says the parrot in the tree
It's what my public want to see
Media man - media man oh yeah
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to lie
Clap hands for the media man
But will it add up with a penny on his eye
Media man - he's a media man
That's right
Media man - go through it
Media man - read the news
Media man - voice over
Media man - media man
Media man - compere collar
Media man - beeps
Media man - charming
Media man - media man
Media man - pancake
Media man - gleaming tick
Media man - good guy
Media man - media man
Media man - the profile
Media man - sincere
Media man - the wink
Media man - media man
Media man - the image
Media man - the format
Media man - idiot poor
Media man - media man
Media man - popularity
Media man - rating
Media man - bullshit
Media man - media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
The first verse of "Media Man" describes someone who is blinded by fame and publicity, who walks on the left side but leans towards the right, and loses their sense of right and wrong in a world where "grey is black and white." The chorus then praises the "media man" who always knows what to say and how to present himself to the public. However, the second verse suggests that the "media man" has lost touch with reality, as he is "easy on the eyesight" and "mass-appealing" but "poisoning the air" with his messages. The chorus repeats, and the bridge expands on the idea that the "media man" is a creation of public demand, perpetuating the cycle of news and entertainment.
Overall, "Media Man" is a critique of the media industry and its role in shaping public perception. It suggests that the pursuit of fame and popularity has led to a loss of integrity and a focus on superficial qualities. The song also questions whether the media is simply giving people what they want, or whether it has a responsibility to present the truth and provide balanced coverage.
Line by Line Meaning
He walk upon the left side
He walks with a sense of imbalance or irregularity
While leaning to the right
He has a tendency to lean or favor one side over the other
Blinded by the bright light
He is unable to see clearly due to the overwhelming brightness
Where grey is black and white - no sight
He only sees things in black and white, lacking the ability to perceive shades of gray or subtleties in the world
Clap hands for the media man
Applaud him for his skills in manipulating and controlling information
He always know what to say
He is very adept at knowing what to say and how to say it to convey his message
But does he breathe when the bright lights fade away
Does he have substance or depth beyond his media persona?
Media man - he's a media man
He is someone who works in and for the media industry
He used to be an acts man
He formerly worked in the entertainment industry
A weaver in the ring
He was skilled at weaving narratives and generating audience interest
He could have been a tax man
He had the acumen to work in a more analytical industry such as finance
The way he did his thing - with strings
He was capable of pulling the strings and influencing others to achieve his goals
He always know when to smile
He knows how to play the part and act in a likable or engaging manner
But watch him laugh when he's crying all the while
He may outwardly appear confident and jovial, but may be struggling with personal or internal issues
He always know where to be
He is skilled at being in the right place at the right time
But does he back off when he sees the things he see
Will he refrain from reporting on or engaging with controversial or unethical content?
Easy on the eyesight
He presents a visually appealing image
Compere collar hair
He has a stylish, well-groomed appearance
Mass appealing tonsils
He has a voice that is well-suited for mass audiences
Poisoning the air - no fair
His messages may be manipulative or misleading to the detriment of others
He always know what to do
He can quickly adapt to changing circumstances and situations
But does he think when he has to read the news
Will he take a more critical or investigative approach to certain news items?
See him push, see him crawl
He will go to great lengths to achieve his goals
Watch him rise, watch him fall
It is not uncommon for him to experience both success and failure
The excuse says the parrot in the tree
He may blame external factors or use common excuses to explain his behavior or actions
It's what my public want to see
He tailors his work to appeal to the desires and expectations of his audience
Clap hands for the media man
Give applause for his accomplishments and skills
He always know when to lie
He is capable of manipulating the truth or presenting falsehoods when needed
But will it add up with a penny on his eye
Will his actions ultimately result in real value or benefit for himself or society?
That's right
Affirms the accuracy or truthfulness of a previous statement or claim
Media man - go through it
He is able to endure the challenges and difficulties that come with his profession
Media man - read the news
His primary role is to report on current events and news items
Media man - voice over
He may provide voice-over commentary or narration for various media productions
Media man - compere collar
He has a formal, professional appearance that is well-suited for hosting events or shows
Media man - beeps
He is associated with the sounds and noises that accompany technological or digital media
Media man - charming
He has a charismatic and appealing personality
Media man - pancake
He may apply makeup or appearance-enhancing products before appearing on camera
Media man - gleaming tick
He is always well-polished and gleaming in his image and presentation
Media man - good guy
He is often portrayed as a heroic or relatable figure in media productions
Media man - the profile
He is very concerned with maintaining a certain public image or persona
Media man - sincere
He presents himself as genuine and honest, even if this is not always the case
Media man - the wink
He may use subtle, non-verbal cues or messages to manipulate or influence viewers
Media man - the image
The way he is portrayed visually in media productions or popular culture
Media man - the format
The way information is presented or organized in a given media production
Media man - idiot poor
He may be criticized or mocked for presenting simplistic or uneducated commentary or ideas
Media man - popularity
He is very concerned with appearing popular, likable, or well-liked
Media man - rating
He is judged and rated based on his performance or output in various media productions
Media man - bullshit
He may use excessive or sensationalistic language or imagery to generate attention or views
Contributed by Natalie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Larter
Here are the lyrics, with the missing part:He walk upon the left side
While leaning to the right
Blinded by the bright light
Where grey is black and white - no sight
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to say
Clap hands for the media man
But does he breathe when the bright lights fade away
Media man - he's a media man
He used to be an acts man
A weaver in the ring
He could have been a tax man
The way he did his thing - with strings
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to smile
Clap hands for the media man
But watch him laugh when he's crying all the while
Media man - he's a media man
Clap hands for the media man
He always know where to be
Clap hands for the media man
But does he back off when he sees the things he see
Media man - he's a media man
Easy on the eyesight
Compere collar hair
Mass appealing tonsils
Poisoning the air - no fair
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to do
Clap hands for the media man
But does he think when he has to read the news
Media man - that's right he's a media man
See him push, see him crawl
Watch him rise, watch him fall
The excuse says the parrot in the tree
It's what my public want to see
Media man - media man oh yeah
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to lie
Clap hands for the media man
But will it add up with a penny on his eye
Media man - he's a media man
That's right
Media man - go through it
Media man - read the news
Media man - voice over
Media man - media man
Media man - compere collar
Media man - beeps
Media man - charming
Media man - media man
Media man - pancake
Media man - gleaming tick
Media man - good guy
Media man - media man
Media man - the profile
Media man - sincere
Media man - the wink
Media man - media man
Media man - the image
Media man - the format
Media man - idiot poor
Media man - media man
Media man - popularity
Media man - rating
Media man - bullshit
Media man - media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
Stephen Farenga
Legendary! I bought this single from the imports rack based on the name and the cover art. Love!!! Played it till the grooves wore out. Never knew there was a video - thank you for posting!
Phoenix85040
Thanks to an amazing radio station here in Phoenix KCDX for introducing me to this song and group! I was able to find a double CD of Flash and the Pan. 🎉👍
agamick
Did not think I would find this! What a great surprise to see it on here. New Wave at its best!!! Thanks.
ludo281160
Great song from Down Under...And what a video F&P produced in 1978...Real fun and extraordinary for that period. Thanks for sharing!
David Larter
Here are the lyrics, with the missing part:He walk upon the left side
While leaning to the right
Blinded by the bright light
Where grey is black and white - no sight
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to say
Clap hands for the media man
But does he breathe when the bright lights fade away
Media man - he's a media man
He used to be an acts man
A weaver in the ring
He could have been a tax man
The way he did his thing - with strings
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to smile
Clap hands for the media man
But watch him laugh when he's crying all the while
Media man - he's a media man
Clap hands for the media man
He always know where to be
Clap hands for the media man
But does he back off when he sees the things he see
Media man - he's a media man
Easy on the eyesight
Compere collar hair
Mass appealing tonsils
Poisoning the air - no fair
Clap hands for the media man
He always know what to do
Clap hands for the media man
But does he think when he has to read the news
Media man - that's right he's a media man
See him push, see him crawl
Watch him rise, watch him fall
The excuse says the parrot in the tree
It's what my public want to see
Media man - media man oh yeah
Clap hands for the media man
He always know when to lie
Clap hands for the media man
But will it add up with a penny on his eye
Media man - he's a media man
That's right
Media man - go through it
Media man - read the news
Media man - voice over
Media man - media man
Media man - compere collar
Media man - beeps
Media man - charming
Media man - media man
Media man - pancake
Media man - gleaming tick
Media man - good guy
Media man - media man
Media man - the profile
Media man - sincere
Media man - the wink
Media man - media man
Media man - the image
Media man - the format
Media man - idiot poor
Media man - media man
Media man - popularity
Media man - rating
Media man - bullshit
Media man - media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
Media man
Ermine Notyours
It's hard to tell from this version, but back when I saw it directly off TV it appeared they did all those flash and split-screen effects in film editing rather than in video. It would have been easy to do those effects in video, but doing heavy effects like that in film gave it a strange look. Pretty impressive.
Steven Salemi
This is so fu@#@#*@ brilliant. The song is amazing and so is the video. Doesn't get any better than this, kids -- funny, deep, intelligent, genius.
Erik Sundstrom
Excellent! Thank you so much for uploading this. I love F&tP.
iamyourfalsegod
I feel so behind the times....I first heard this song in restaurant bathroom a couple of days ago and was captured! Then again, I wasn't born until '88 and my parents are big motowners. But thanks for posting!
Hugh Johnson
OK, I have not lost my mind. This song does exist. When it came out, I heard that the band was supposed to be together for one project only on purpose; hence Flash in the pan.