Released as a single in the UK, its peak position in the UK Singles Chart was No. 2 on 7 June 1969, spending a total of 14 weeks on the listing. It entered the Dutch Top 40 on 26 April 1969 and peaked at No. 12. It also reached the top five in Norway and Ireland. It was not released in the USA until 1976.
Man Of The World
Fleetwood Mac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say I'm a man of the world
I've flown across every tide
And I've seen lots of pretty girls
I guess I've got everything I need
I wouldn't ask for more
And there's no one I'd rather be
And I need a good woman
To make me feel like a good man should
I don't say I'm a good man
Oh, but I would be if I could
I could tell you about my life
And keep you amused I'm sure
About all the times I've cried
And how I don't want to be sad anymore
And how I wish I was in love
The song 'Man Of The World' by Fleetwood Mac is a melancholic and introspective reflection on the life of someone who has seen and experienced a lot, yet is left feeling unfulfilled and void of love. The opening lines, "Shall I tell you about my life, they say I'm a man of the world," suggest that the singer is a man who has traveled extensively and has experienced all that the world has to offer. However, despite all his experiences, he is left feeling empty and wishes he had never been born. The use of the word "they" implies that there are others who are observing and commenting on his life.
The next stanza, "And I need a good woman, to make me feel like a good man should, I don't say I'm a good man, oh, but I would be if I could," suggests that the singer's unfulfillment stems from a lack of love and companionship. The use of the phrase "a good woman" implies that he needs someone who can bring out the best in him and make him feel whole. The line, "I don't say I'm a good man, oh, but I would be if I could," suggests that the singer is aware of his shortcomings and wants to improve as a person.
The final stanza, "And how I wish I was in love" sums up the theme of the song - the singer's longing for love and the emptiness he feels without it. It's a poignant and relatable theme that many people can connect with. The song's melancholic tone and introspective lyrics make it a haunting and memorable piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Shall I tell you about my life
Would you like to know about my life experiences?
They say I'm a man of the world
People perceive me as someone who has travelled and experienced a lot
I've flown across every tide
I've travelled across different parts of the world
And I've seen lots of pretty girls
I've had the opportunity to meet many beautiful women
I guess I've got everything I need
I believe that I have all the material possessions and experiences that are important to me
I wouldn't ask for more
I am content with what I have and do not require any more material possessions or experiences
And there's no one I'd rather be
I am content with who I am as a person
But I just wish that I'd never been born
Despite my contentment, I have moments of despair and wish that I had never existed
And I need a good woman
I require a supportive and loving partner
To make me feel like a good man should
I believe that a good partner can bring out the best in me
I don't say I'm a good man
I do not claim to be a perfect or faultless person
Oh, but I would be if I could
However, I am open to self-improvement and becoming a better person
I could tell you about my life
I could share my life experiences with you
And keep you amused I'm sure
And I am confident that you would find them entertaining
About all the times I've cried
I could speak about the difficult and emotional moments of my life
And how I don't want to be sad anymore
And express my desire to move past those difficult moments and find happiness
And how I wish I was in love
And express my longing for a romantic relationship
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrSirDrew
Lyrics
Shall I tell you about my life
They say I'm a man of the world
I've flown across every tide
And I've seen lots of pretty girls
I guess I've got everything I need
I wouldn't ask for more
And there's no one I'd rather be
But I just wish that I'd never been born
And I need a good woman
To make me feel like a good man should
I don't say I'm a good man
Oh, but I would be if I could
I could tell you about my life
And keep you amused I'm sure
About all the times I've cried
And how I don't want to be sad anymore
And how I wish I was in love
@marcclaydon6296
RIP Peter. Probably the most beautiful song ever written.
@RobinBibiMusic
Marc Claydon youβre right. RIP genius . Sleep easy xxx
@thesedreamsarefree
I was thinking that about another song a couple of hours ago and it now seems appropriate to this (Sand by Heart). Pete Green faded into obscurity but at his best was acknowledged by some of the great players as one of the finest. I agree this is a beautiful song, autobiographical and from the heart.
@mole1ok604
RIP Legend.
@RETROtoronto
Peter Green is sublime. Agreed, it's up there. ('He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' is another one)
@gavstott1
Such sad news. His music will last forever
@xiropigado
One of the saddest songs ever written, one of the greatest songs ever written, and the older i get, the more it effects me.
@Sortedman23
Itβs easily the finest of English blues tracks of all time : because itβs the truth !
@christinewilkinson2424
Beautifully said.
@williamparker1085
its the existentialist in you finally breaking the surface............