The act was composed of brothers Mikki and Paul Zone, who had been known on the local Brooklyn music scene since the mid 1970s. Paul participated in a band called The Fast during this period, with songs such as "Boys Will Be Boys"; the group gained some national attention with a second album being produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.
After The Fast, the brothers spent the first half of the 1980s singing on a number of Hi-NRG and disco records for producers such as Bobby Orlando (records like Divine's "Native Love" and The Flirts' "Passion"). Soon after they formed a new band, which was originally called Man's Favourite Sports. However, another band had already claimed the right to use this name, so the Zone brothers became known as Man 2 Man.
Under this name the band scored their biggest hit, "Male Stripper", teaming up with cult electro producer Man Parrish. Originally released in the United Kingdom in 1986 on the Bolts Records label, "Male Stripper" was a big club hit throughout the autumn and peaked at #64 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] In early 1987, "Male Stripper" charted again in the UK, and this time the song became an even bigger hit, spending five weeks in the Top 10 and two weeks at #4 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] Unfortunately, this success was never seen by group member Mikki, who had died of spinal meningitis on December 31, 1986.
Due to the death of Mikki, Paul Zone decided to rename the act Man to Man and recorded a follow-up single. The record was a cover version of the Grace Jones hit "I Need A Man", which charted at number 43 on the UK charts.[3] Paul continued recording under this name into the 1990s, working with producers such as Jacques Morali. "I'll Try Anything Once" was released in 2008 on iTunes and features vocals by Debbie Harry of Blondie.
i'll try anything once
Man 2 Man Lyrics
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You'll be aware of five about
Seven ways to go through school
Either you're noticed or left out
Seven ways to get ahead
Seven reasons to drop out
When I said: I can see me in your eyes
You said: I can see you in my bed
You like music we can dance to
Sit me down
Shut me up
I'll calm down
And I'll get along with you
There is a time when we all fail
Some people take it pretty well
Some take it all out on themselves
Some they just take it out on friends
Oh everybody plays the game
And if you don't you're called insane
Don't don't don't don't it's not safe no more
I've got to see you one more time
Soon you were born
In 1984
Sit me down
Shut me up
I'll calm down
And I'll get along with you
Everybody was well dressed
And everybody was a mess
Six things without fail you must do
So that your woman loves just you
Oh all the girls played mental games
And all the guys were dressed the same
Why not try it all
If you only remember it once
Oh oh
Sit me down
Shut me up
I'll calm down
And I'll get along with you
Okay one more time
The lyrics to Man 2 Man's "I'll Try Anything Once" speak to the many decisions one must make in their life and the various paths they can take. The opening lines of "Ten decisions shape your life, you'll be aware of five about" highlight how many choices we make and how only some of them are conscious. The next lines talk about the various ways we can go through school and how that can determine whether or not we are noticed or left out. The line "When I said: I can see me in your eyes, you said: I can see you in my bed" speaks to the idea that romance can often start as a strong friendship.
The lyrics then move on to talk about failure and how different people handle it differently. Some take it out on themselves, while others take it out on their friends. The chorus of "Sit me down, shut me up, I'll calm down and I'll get along with you" can be seen as an attempt to fix a relationship that may be falling apart. The song also touches on the idea of conformity, with lines such as "all the guys were dressed the same" and "six things without fail you must do, so that your woman loves just you."
Overall, the lyrics of "I'll Try Anything Once" seem to be encouraging the idea of taking risks and trying new things, even if it's just once. The song touches on themes of friendship, romance, conformity, and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten decisions shape your life
There are ten important choices that will determine how your life turns out
You'll be aware of five about
You will recognize and be able to control five of these decisions
Seven ways to go through school
There are seven different methods to navigate your way through school
Either you're noticed or left out
You will either be recognized and included or ignored and excluded in school
Seven ways to get ahead
There are seven different approaches to succeed in life
Seven reasons to drop out
There are seven factors that may lead you to quit school prematurely
When I said: I can see me in your eyes
When I expressed my affection for you
You said: I can see you in my bed
You reciprocated my feelings and expressed the desire to be intimate with me
That's not just friendship that's romance too
Our connection is not just platonic, but also romantic
You like music we can dance to
We share a mutual appreciation for music and dancing
Sit me down
Get me to sit down and listen
Shut me up
Make me stop talking or interrupt me
I'll calm down
I will become more relaxed and composed
And I'll get along with you
I will be able to interact with you more harmoniously
There is a time when we all fail
Everyone experiences setbacks at some point in their life
Some people take it pretty well
Some people deal with failure in a positive and constructive manner
Some take it all out on themselves
Some people feel guilty and blame themselves when things go wrong
Some they just take it out on friends
Some people vent their frustrations and take it out on their friends
Oh everybody plays the game
Everyone participates in the competition of life
And if you don't you're called insane
If you do not conform to societal norms and expectations, you will be labeled as crazy
Don't don't don't don't it's not safe no more
The situation has become dangerous and should be avoided
I've got to see you one more time
I need to see you again before we part ways
Soon you were born
A reference to the year 1984, in which the person was born
Everybody was well dressed
At an event, everyone was dressed in their finest attire
And everybody was a mess
Despite appearances, everyone was experiencing inner turmoil and chaos
Six things without fail you must do
There are six essential actions to ensure a happy and faithful relationship with your partner
So that your woman loves just you
To ensure that your female partner remains loyal and only loves you
Oh all the girls played mental games
Women often employ psychological tactics in their relationships
And all the guys were dressed the same
Men often display conformity in their dress and behavior
Why not try it all
Why not experiment with different experiences and opportunities?
If you only remember it once
If you only get one chance to experience it
Oh oh
An expression of excitement or enthusiasm
Okay one more time
A request for a repeat performance
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.