The Hall and Oates version has a slightly more rockier and edgy feel. Intrestingly, Hall & Oates version of the song charted much higher in both the US & UK charts reaching n#6 in the US billboard top 100 and n# 15 in the UK singles chart (Oldfields version charted n# 45 in the UK singles and failed to chart in the US although it did reach n# 29 in the Canadian Hot 100!)
Family Man
Hall & Oates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She had sultry eyes
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
Dropped her price and pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man around
He looked her up and down
She knew he couldn't decide if he should hold his ground
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He's just "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might" (ayy)
She turned, tossed her head
Unlike her opening move, her final exit line
He waited much too long
But by the time he got his courage up she was gone
Then he screamed, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far, I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And I don't think I want it tonight"
Then he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
Don't leave me alone 'cause I got to go home please
Leave me alone, I'm a family man"
The lyrics of Hall & Oatesâs âFamily Manâ express the tension between a man who wants to be loyal to his family and his responsibilities and a woman who wants his attention and affection. The woman makes it clear that she is his for a price, but the man resists her advances because he values his status as a family man more than anything else. He repeatedly tells her to leave him alone and that his bark is worse than his bite, but the woman persists. Eventually, the man comes to the realization that he should not want the same thing as the woman, and he tells her to leave him alone because he has to go home.
Line by Line Meaning
She had sulky smile
The woman had a moody expression on her face.
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She positioned herself in a way that suggested she was for sale.
She had sultry eyes
The woman had seductive eyes that were meant to attract attention.
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
She made it clear that she was willing to offer herself, but for a monetary payment.
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He refused her offer and reminded her that he was a family man who intimidated people, but was less fierce than he seemed.
If you push me too far I just might
He warned the woman that if she kept pushing, he could give in to his desires.
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
The woman was upset by his refusal, but tried to cover it up by fussing with her make-up.
Dropped her price and pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
She lowered her asking price and dignity, and blatantly stated that she was available for a one-night stand.
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man around
She gave him a flirtatious look, and believed that her flirtations would have worked on anyone else.
He looked her up and down
She knew he couldn't decide if he should hold his ground
He checked her out from head to toe, and she was aware that he was not sure if he should stick to his original decision.
Then he screamed, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He lost his temper and shouted that he was a family man who was feared despite being less aggressive than he appeared.
He's just "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far I just might" (ayy)
He restated that he was a family man, and may give in to temptation if provoked.
Then he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man (oh oh)
If you push me too far, I just might"
He repeated his previous warning to her.
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And I don't think I want it tonight"
He reiterated that he was not interested in her offer.
Don't leave me alone 'cause I got to go home please
Leave me alone, I'm a family man
He begged her not to leave him alone because he had to go home, and reminded her that he was loyal to his family.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Brough Pert-Morris, Eddie Fenn, Maggie Reilly, Michael Gordon Oldfield, Mike Fry, Timothy Kjell Cross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edkeaton1085
Any song from "Hall and Oates" from the 80's will always be a classic to me. They have a lot of heart and soul. Awesome group!
@markgoodwin7442
Love these guys so does my pop who is 74
@edkeaton1085
Mark Goodwin Right on! I have been a big fan of Hall & Oates since the eighties, bro!
@tracyconner1497
Ed Keaton same đ
@ozzyhoang3499
@@edkeaton1085 I have 30 favorite bands of the '80s, but since the '90s up till now 2022..... I have none, big 0 band to like....Music is dead!
@alexandermakrianis
Yes sir, you are right on the money! 1980s Hall and Oats is the best!
@rodneycox5798
One of the most underated Hall and Oates songs EVER
@nexxxus7498
GE Smith kills it on the lead guitar. He is so underrated!!! He is one of the greatest guitarist out there. He doesnât get his due because he was mostly a studio player. The guy is absolutelyđ„đ„đ„!!!
@micway71
He was getting it!! You know he could probably hang with just about anyone plucking! Nice sound too!
@lauramayfield5410
He was with the house band for SNL back in the day xo