I Wanna Be Like You
Los Lobos (Children's) Lyrics
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The jungle VIP
I reach the top and have to stop
And that's what's a bother to me
I wanna be a man, a man cub
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
So, ooh ooh ooh, I wanna be just like you
I wanna walk like you
And talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be human, too
Now don't try to kid me, man cub
I made a deal with you
What I desire is man's red fire
To make my dream come true
Give me the secret, man cub
Just clue me what to do
Give me the power of man's red flower
So I can be like you
So, ooh ooh ooh, I wanna be just 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 human, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be human, too
The lyrics of Los Lobos's "I Wan'na Be Like You" revolve around the desire of an ape, who is tired of "monkeying" around, to become a human like the "man cub" he sees in the town. The ape longs to walk, talk, and act like a human being and hence asks the man cub to lend him his power of the "man's red flower," i.e., fire, which would help him fulfill his dream of becoming human. The song is a beautiful depiction of the yearning for change, a desire to transform into something better and move beyond one's present state.
The lyrics also touch upon an important theme of individuality and conformity. The ape, who is the king of the jungle, feels stifled by the expectations placed on him as the "jungle VIP" and longs to be able to do what humans do. He wants to learn from the man cub and acquire his skills and power, which he believes will help him be accepted in the human world. The song, therefore, captures a universal desire to break free from the shackles of convention and embrace new trails and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I'm the king of the swinger's world
I have reached the top and I am in charge of everything around here
The jungle VIP
I am the most important person in the jungle
I reach the top and have to stop
I have achieved my goals and cannot go any further
And that's what's a bother to me
I am bored and unfulfilled now that I have achieved everything I wanted
I wanna be a man, a man cub
I want to be a human, fully integrated into society
And stroll right into town
I want to walk into the human world with confidence, like I belong there
And be just like the other men
I want to fit in and be just like all the other humans
I'm tired of monkeying around
I am tired of being seen as a mere animal, I want to be seen as a human being
So, ooh ooh ooh, I wanna be just like you
I want to be like a human being, just like you
I wanna walk like you
I want to move and behave like a human being
And talk like you, too
I want to speak and express myself like a human being
You'll see it's true
You will understand that I am capable of being like you
An ape like me
As an animal, like myself
Can learn to be human, too
I can learn to behave like a human being
Now don't try to kid me, man cub
Do not try to deceive or trick me, human child
I made a deal with you
I have an agreement with you
What I desire is man's red fire
What I really want is the power and control over fire that humans have
To make my dream come true
This is the key to fulfilling my desire to become a human
Give me the secret, man cub
Tell me the secret to controlling fire, human child
Just clue me what to do
Give me some guidance on how to control fire like a human being
Give me the power of man's red flower
Give me the ability to control fire, like humans do
So I can be like you
This is the final step in my journey to becoming a human being, like you
You'll see it's true
In the end, you will see that I am capable of adapting and becoming like a human being
An ape like me
As an animal, like myself
Can learn to be human, too
I am capable of learning to behave like a human being
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind