Diskografie
Grönemeyer (1979)
Zwo (1980)
Total egal (1982)
Gemischte Gefühle (1983)
4630 Bochum (1984)
Sprünge (1986)
Ö (1988)
Luxus (1990)
Chaos (1993)
Bleibt alles anders (1998)
Mensch (2002)
12 (2007)
Schiffsverkehr (2011)
Dauernd jetzt (2014)
Tumult (2018)
Das Ist Los (2023)
Men
Herbert Grönemeyer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Men assure security
Men will cry in their beer
If you don't treat them tenderly
So vulnerable, here are the men
Whatever in the world
Would the world become without them?
Men think a woman can be owned
Men will always hustle
Men tell lies on the telephone
Men are all primed for action
Wallets full of credit cards the main attraction
Men consider themselves with pride
Men are macho, but so soft inside
Men need help, 'cause they can't decide
What makes a man a man
When is a a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
Men have rippling muscles
Men can carry heavy sacks
Men who've seen it all
Men who'll have many heart attacks
Men bash their heads on brick walls
Men who think that only men make any sense at all
Men consider themselves with pride
Men are macho, but so soft inside
Men need help, 'cause they can't decide
What makes a man a man
When is a a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
Men get drunk with style
Men go out to pick a fight
Men read morning papers
Men watch TV late at night
Men are building missiles
Men do each and every single damn thing right
When is a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
Men can never have babies
Men are going bald on top
Men just want to be human
But they're programmed to be men, they cannot stop
So vulnerable, here are the men
Whatever in the world
Would the world become without them?
Men wear glasses to cover their eyes
Men go off into corners to cry
Men need help, 'cause they can't decide
What makes a man a man
When is a man a man?
What makes a man a man?
When is a man a man?
Mama how can I be a man?
Hey Papa, hey Mama how can I be a man?
When is a man a man?
The song "Men" by Herbert Gronemeyer is a commentary on the complexities of the male gender. In the first verse, the lyrics mention the vulnerability of men and their need for tenderness. Despite the cultural expectation of men to be strong and invulnerable, they also crave emotional support.
The second verse highlights the negative aspects of masculinity, such as the belief that women can be owned and the tendency to lie and hustle. The line "wallets full of credit cards the main attraction" demonstrates the societal expectation of men to be successful and financially stable.
The third verse touches upon the physical aspects of masculinity, such as rippling muscles and the ability to carry heavy sacks, but also acknowledges the fragility of men with the line "Men who'll have many heart attacks." The chorus repeats the question of what makes a man a man, demonstrating the confusion and uncertainty that many men may face in their identity.
Overall, the song suggests that the expectations placed on men can be difficult to navigate, and the lyrics highlight both the positive and negative aspects of masculinity.
Line by Line Meaning
Men will open their arms
Men are willing to embrace others
Men assure security
Men provide a sense of safety and protection
Men will cry in their beer
Men can be emotional and vulnerable
If you don't treat them tenderly
Men appreciate care and empathy
So vulnerable, here are the men
Men are not invincible and can be hurt and fragile
Whatever in the world
Would the world become without them?
Men play a vital role in the world and society
Men do deals and favours
Men engage in business transactions and favors
Men think a woman can be owned
Men sometimes view women as property
Men will always hustle
Men are always working and striving for success
Men tell lies on the telephone
Men are sometimes dishonest with others
Men are all primed for action
Men are ready and prepared for action
Wallets full of credit cards the main attraction
Men are often preoccupied with money and material possessions
Men are macho, but so soft inside
Men may present a tough exterior, but have a sensitive side
Men need help, 'cause they can't decide
Men struggle with decision-making and may require assistance
What makes a man a man?
The definition of masculinity is unclear and debatable
Men have rippling muscles
Men are often physically strong and fit
Men can carry heavy sacks
Men are capable of performing physically demanding tasks
Men who've seen it all
Men who have experienced many things in life
Men who'll have many heart attacks
Men may suffer from heart problems due to stress and lifestyle factors
Men bash their heads on brick walls
Men may stubbornly persist in their beliefs despite obstacles
Men who think that only men make any sense at all
Some men may have a biased view of gender roles and abilities
Men get drunk with style
Men may consume alcohol in a sophisticated way
Men go out to pick a fight
Men may engage in aggressive behavior or conflict
Men read morning papers
Men may keep up with current events through reading newspapers
Men watch TV late at night
Men sometimes watch television as a form of relaxation and entertainment
Men are building missiles
Men are involved in the creation of weapons
Men do each and every single damn thing right
Men strive for perfection and excellence
Men can never have babies
Men are biologically incapable of bearing children
Men are going bald on top
Men may experience hair loss as they age
Men just want to be human
Men desire to be treated as individuals with emotions and flaws
But they're programmed to be men, they cannot stop
Society has assigned certain expectations and roles to men that cannot be easily changed
Men wear glasses to cover their eyes
Some men wear glasses as a form of personal style or for vision correction
Men go off into corners to cry
Men may feel the need to hide their emotions
Mama how can I be a man?
Hey Papa, hey Mama how can I be a man?
The concept of masculinity is taught and learned, sometimes from parental figures
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Herbert Gronemeyer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Veronika Gajdoszová
It is great to hear this song in English. Herbie you are deffinitely The Star no matter if you sing in German, English or French you are always amazing. I ❤️ your voice 💕💘
Matthias Lehmann
Had no idea until today that this English version existed. Thanks so much for uploading it!
Jomaster the Second
It feels so weird hearing this in English.
It's also weird not hearing lyrics about Schnappi but I digress.
Yannic Grawitter
Schnappi? Bin wohl zu jung
Andrew Erickson
Playing this song at my funeral.
Gaungade
same
☆ pOpMilk ☆
Its cool hearing this in English!
joachimbublath
this is the most beautiful thing i've seen in a lange zeit.
Eberhard Herold
Erste Sahne! Hätte nie gedacht, dass der Song so gut auf Englisch funktioniert--- Warum ist Grönemeyer eigentlich kein Weltstar wie RAMMSTEIN ???
Matthias Lehmann
Word!