It's a Man's Man's Man's World
Jeanie Tracy & Bobby Womack Lyrics


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Girl, I've got a little message for you
I want you to take heed
Listen it says a

Men, they don't cry to drive your eyes
Or to make a tear drop, oh no
And I am not weepin' to keep from sleepin'
Girl, I wish you could stop

I was your man, a mountain of rag
You came along to change me inside
There's not a man, ain't no wired up toy
But I am still hangin' around for you to enjoy

I can't take it like a man
I can't take it like a man
I am headin' nowhere, just as fast as I can
I can't take it like a man
I can't make it like a man
I need your lovin' in the palm of my hand

Hearts don't break, to take the ache
That they're going through, oh no
If you're mistaken
It might weaken you because I love you

Oh love, if you care
Won't you please hear it back
Keep me on the right track
Roll me some rope, don't let me drown
Please have a heart, this is my third time down

I can't take it like a man
I can't take it like a man
I am gettin' nowhere, just as fast as I can
I can't take it like a man
I can't make it like a man
I need your lovin' in the palm of my hand

I can't take it, won't you help me make it?
I wanna take it, I can't take it
Oh, I can't take it like a man
I can't make it like a man
I need your lovin' in the palm of my hand





I can't take it
Oh, I can't take it

Overall Meaning

The song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by Jeanie Tracy and Bobby Womack discusses the struggles and societal expectations placed on men to appear strong and stoic. The opening lyrics of the song suggest that men are not supposed to cry or show emotions, but the singer wishes that they could. The singer explains that he was once a strong and sturdy "man," but his lover has changed him from the inside out - the metaphorical "mountain of rag." Despite not being a "wired up toy," he is still hanging around for his lover to "enjoy."


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I can't take it like a man" multiple times, serving as a plea from the singer for his lover to understand his vulnerability and need for love and support. He references the popular belief that "hearts don't break" but clarifies that they do ache and can weaken a person, indicating that his lover's mistake has hurt him deeply. The singer begs for his lover's understanding and support, pleading for her to keep him on the right track and save him from drowning.


Overall, the song showcases the societal expectations placed upon men to appear strong and emotionless, while simultaneously expressing the vulnerability and need for support that all humans experience. It serves as a powerful message for both men and women to acknowledge and embrace their emotions and support one another.


Line by Line Meaning

Girl, I've got a little message for you
I have something important to tell you


Men, they don't cry to drive your eyes
Men don't cry just to manipulate you


Or to make a tear drop, oh no
They're not trying to make you feel bad


And I am not weepin' to keep from sleepin'
I'm not crying to avoid sleeping


Girl, I wish you could stop
I wish you would understand


I was your man, a mountain of rag
I was someone strong for you to lean on


You came along to change me inside
But you wanted to change me


There's not a man, ain't no wired up toy
Men aren't just emotionless objects


But I am still hangin' around for you to enjoy
But I'm still here for you to appreciate


Hearts don't break, to take the ache
Hearts don't break to cause pain


That they're going through, oh no
The pain is real


If you're mistaken
If you're wrong about me


It might weaken you because I love you
It could hurt you because I care


Oh love, if you care
If you love me


Won't you please hear it back
Please listen to me


Keep me on the right track
Help me stay on the right path


Roll me some rope, don't let me drown
Help me when I'm struggling


Please have a heart, this is my third time down
Be kind, I've been through this before


I can't take it like a man
I can't handle this on my own


I am headin' nowhere, just as fast as I can
I feel like I'm going nowhere


I can't make it like a man
I can't do this alone


I need your lovin' in the palm of my hand
I need your love and support


I can't take it, won't you help me make it?
I need your help to get through this


I wanna take it, I can't take it
I want to be strong, but I can't do it alone


Oh, I can't take it like a man
I'm not strong enough to handle this alone


I can't make it like a man
I can't do this alone


I need your lovin' in the palm of my hand
I need your love and support


I can't take it
I can't handle this alone




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB CREWE, JIMMY WILLIAMS, LAURENCE WEISS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Lee-pc8ts

james brown and bobby womack were good friends….. make them rest in heaven❤️

@victorfinch3251

Thanks for sharing. Love Bobby Womack. He was Great that night!

@soulfulvoices2341

Thanks for sharing. Love Jeanie Tracy. She was GREAT that night !

@stoneymaeful

This is phenomenal!!! Rare and Classic performance!

@womaggic

Post Bobby Womack performance from 1971 through 1976

@user-nf2jw2fj2y

💣

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