I Wanna Be Like You
Flight 180 Lyrics
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Oh, the jungle VIP
I've reached the top and had to stop
And that's what botherin' me
I wanna be a man, mancub
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be humen too
( Gee, cousin Louie
You're doin' real good
Now here's your part of the deal, cuz
Lay the secret on me of man's red fire
But I don't know how to make fire )
Now don't try to kid me, mancub
I made a deal with you
What I desire is man's red fire
To make my dream come true
Give me the secret, mancub
Clue me what to do
Give me the power of man's red flower
So I can be like you
You!
I wanna be like you
I wanna talk like you
Walk like you, too
You'll see it's true
Someone like me
Can learn to be
Like someone like me
Can learn to be
Like someone like you
Can learn to be
Like someone like me!
The lyrics of Flight 180's "I Wanna Be Like You" from the Disney movie Jungle Book express the desire to leave behind monkey-like behavior and become more human-like. The first verse begins with the singer feeling as though he has reached the pinnacle of his current existence – "the king of the swingers, the jungle VIP." But he also acknowledges that "had to stop" and is bothered by the fact. He then states that he wants to become a "man, mancub" and be able to walk into town just like the other men. He repeats the phrase "I'm tired of monkeying around" to further emphasize this desire.
In the next section, the singer appeals to the character of Louie, whom he apparently sees as someone who has already made a successful transition from animal to human. Louie is congratulated for doing "real good," and the singer asks him to "lay the secret" of fire-making on him. Louie tries to sidestep the request, but the singer reminds him of the deal that they made, in which he agreed to give Louie something that he wanted in exchange for the secret. The singer's final plea is for the "power of man's red flower," which is another way of saying the ability to control and use fire.
Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly states his desire to be like the human characters, to "walk like you, talk like you, and be just like the other men." He even says that he wants to be "like someone like you," suggesting that he views humans as higher beings to be emulated. However, the fact that he is constantly referred to as a "mancub" – a child in wolf language – suggests that he is not yet ready to fully make the transition out of childhood and into adulthood.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I'm the king of the swingers
I am the leader of my group and admired by many.
Oh, the jungle VIP
I am important and respected, just like a VIP in the city.
I've reached the top and had to stop
I have achieved what I wanted, but now I feel unsatisfied with myself.
And that's what botherin' me
The feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction is bothering me.
I wanna be a man, mancub
I want to be a human, not just an ape.
And stroll right into town
I want to be able to walk and live in the city just like other humans do.
And be just like the other men
I want to be just like any other human male with all their advantages.
I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
I am tired of behaving and living like an ape.
Oh, oobee doo
Expressing excitement and eagerness.
I wanna be like you
I want to be just like you, a human being.
I wanna walk like you
I want to have the gait and style of walking that humans have.
Talk like you, too
I want to be able to speak human language like any other human being.
You'll see it's true
I want to prove to you that it is possible for an ape like me to become human.
An ape like me
I acknowledge that I am an animal and not human right now.
Can learn to be humen too
It is possible for an ape like me to learn to behave and live like a human being.
Now here's your part of the deal, cuz
I remember the deal we made earlier.
Lay the secret on me of man's red fire
Tell me how to make and control fire, which humans have mastered.
But I don't know how to make fire )
I admit I don't know how to do it myself.
Now don't try to kid me, mancub
I don't want to be lied to or deceived.
I made a deal with you
We agreed on something and I am counting on it.
What I desire is man's red fire
I want to acquire the knowledge and ability to make fire, which human beings have.
To make my dream come true
Acquiring the knowledge to make fire is crucial for me to be able to fulfill my dream of being a human.
Give me the secret, mancub
Share with me the secrets and knowledge you have regarding the use of fire.
Clue me what to do
I want you to tell me what steps I need to take to be able to create and control fire.
Give me the power of man's red flower
I seek to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to control and use fire wisely.
So I can be like you
My ultimate goal is to be able to live like any human being.
Someone like me
An ape like me, whose current social standing is inferior to humans.
Can learn to be
It is possible for me to learn and become human-like.
Like someone like me
I, being an ape, can learn to become someone like a human.
Can learn to be
I can be taught to act, think and live like a human being.
Like someone like you
I want to be just like you, a human being.
Can learn to be
It is possible for me to learn and become human-like.
Like someone like me!
As an ape, I can achieve my goal of becoming human-like with your help.
Contributed by Bentley B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SkaMusicman777
I accept
@smoke4brains52
I also accept