Mystery Man
Gnarls Barkley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm mostly a man.
And if I can't do what you want me to
Then just let me do what I can
See I knew you'd understand
Now I'm a lover and a smiler
It's only been once or twice that I've ran
But I live to fight again
And I know you understand
We're pieces to a puzzle
The big picture and plan
But until I know for certain
You have to take me as I am
And I hope you understand
The song "Mystery Man" by Gnarls Barkley is a representation of a man who is trying to come to terms with himself being enigmatic. The opening line "I may be a mystery, but I'm mostly a man" suggests that the man is aware that he is not easy to comprehend, but he wishes to be appreciated for who he really is. The man is trying to break free from the stereotype that people have assigned to him, and he wants to be judged solely on his actions. Therefore when he says, "If I can't do what you want me to, then just let me do what I can. See, I knew you'd understand," he is asking people to let him be himself, even if his actions do not fit into their narrative.
The chorus "We're pieces to a puzzle, the big picture and plan, but until I know for certain, you have to take me as I am, and I hope you understand," implies that the man acknowledges that he is part of something bigger and that he may not have all the answers yet. Thus he is asking others to be patient with him and accept him the way he is. Throughout the song, the man is trying to show that he is a fighter who has been through hardships before, but he persists despite them.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be a mystery
I am not easy to read and understand.
But I'm mostly a man.
I am just like any other human being.
And if I can't do what you want me to
When I cannot fulfill your expectations,
Then just let me do what I can
Please let me contribute in the best way I can.
See I knew you'd understand
I trust that you are empathetic and compassionate.
Now I'm a lover and a smiler
I readily express affection and joy.
It's only been once or twice that I've ran
I only avoid situations that could cause me harm or distress occasionally.
But I've been there, I've got the pain to prove it
I have experienced difficulties and have scars to attest to it.
But I live to fight again
I remain resilient and choose to move forward.
And I know you understand
I have confidence in you to have deep insights into my life.
We're pieces to a puzzle
We each have roles to play in making the whole picture complete.
The big picture and plan
The overall purpose and vision of life.
But until I know for certain
Before I can fully comprehend it,
You have to take me as I am
You have to accept me with all my idiosyncrasies.
And I hope you understand
I trust that you will have a generous and open spirit towards me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Burton, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Yingst
Fucking unreal that this video has only been seen 12,000 times. Its Gnarls fucking Barkley. I dont get why they never really caught on, this is music with heart, soul and passion. This worlds fucked. haha.
Daylan Berry
@IAmNeil Try to find “Whose Gonna Save My Soul EP” on Spotify or Apple Music. It’s on there
IAmNeil
for some reason this song has been completely buried and unable to be found - it isn't even listed on anything related to gnarls barkley on streaming platforms, it was by complete chance that I found it
Lego Star Wars Obi-Wan
This is so utterly true. But this isn't the music you stumble upon. It's the kind you search for.
Ashley 3188
Gnarls Barkley is soooo underrated and before his time!
Daylan Berry
It’s 2 people! CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse
Jiso Ribonsen
this video is actually brilliant and so is this song
Arcadie Clom
This song is amazing . I wish it would be longer.
Fırat İleri
I don't know why but this is one of my favourite songs ever
Fermin Luna
I saw this once and never forget. supreme talent