Their style has been compared to a mixture of Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, and Captain Beefheart. Man Man is known for their distinctive live shows where the members of the band dress in white tennis outfits and don war paint. During their sets the band does not take breaks between songs in order to keep a constant energy level.
Man Man has released two LPs with Ace Fu Records: The Man in the Blue Turban With a Face (2004) and Six Demon Bag (2006). In November 2007 they signed with Anti- to release Rabbit Habits (2008). Their second Anti- release is titled Life Fantastic and was released in 2011.
Haute Tropique
Man Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The type of people he chooses to consume
He likes 'em big and overgrown
More meat to gristle, more muscle he can hone
Two Hmongs from a deli he's Sriracha'd and jellied
And made a corset out of him for his belly
A Haitian from Florida's now a rug in his foyer
The paper boy's a paper weight
Alberta's a lampshade
The fireman's an ashtray
The DJ spins as fan blades
When will it end?
Oh these horrible things
He asks himself nightly
Voices in his head sing
You're born what you're meant to be
If you're bad then be bad the best
If you're good stay away from me
We're a bad influence we're the best
If you wanna steal go and steal what you want
If sniffing women's heels gets you off, I won't watch
And if you gotta dress like a fox in distress
In the woods well you can and you could and you should
Oh here's a story of a lovely lady
Who had three daughters who drove her fucking crazy
She hacked em up with an old machete
And threw a party with dead daughter confetti
I comb my hair (hair)
I brush my teeth (teeth)
I eat my peace like a good boy's supposed to
I wear a tie (tie)
Boa constrictive (snake)
I eat my pride like a lion's supposed to
You're born what you're meant to be
If you're bad, then be bad the best
If you're good stay away from me
I'm a bad influence, I'm the best
You're born what you're meant to be
If you're bad then be bad the best
If you're good stay away from me
We're a bad influence, we're the best
The song "Haute Tropique" by Man Man features dark and twisted lyrics about a man who consumes people and turns them into odd creations like a corset made out of a Sriracha’d and jellied Hmong person or a girl from Delaware turned into a high arched back chair. The chorus features a fatalistic message that encourages people to embrace their true nature if they are bad or good, then stay away from each other, as it is a "bad influence." The verses go on to describe even more insane situations, like a mother who kills her own three daughters or a man who dresses up like a "fox in distress" in the woods. The entire song is surrounded by a whimsical, almost circus-like arrangement, adding to the eerie vibe of the lyrics.
The lyrics are clearly meant to shock and disturb the listener, with vivid imagery and dark subject matter. However, the true meaning and message of the song are difficult to decipher. It could be interpreted as a commentary on societal norms and expectations, encouraging people to embrace their true selves even if it is seen as "bad" from the outside perspective. It could also just be a surreal and abstract exploration of the dark human psyche. Regardless of the interpretation, the song is an interesting and unique piece of music that will keep the listener engaged.
Line by Line Meaning
Rarely does chi factor into
The concept of life force energy does not often play a role in who Man Man chooses to consume.
The type of people he chooses to consume
Man Man prefers to consume people who are large and muscular, as they provide more meat for him to hone his skills on.
He likes 'em big and overgrown
Man Man is attracted to people who are physically larger than him, due to their increased meat and muscle mass.
More meat to gristle, more muscle he can hone
Larger individuals provide more opportunity to improve his skills and techniques when it comes to consuming and butchering them.
Two Hmongs from a deli he's Sriracha'd and jellied
Man Man has taken two individuals of Hmong descent, purchased from a deli, and used Sriracha sauce and gelatin to create a sort of corset out of their remains.
And made a corset out of him for his belly
Man Man fashioned a wearable corset out of the remains of one of the individuals he consumed, with the intention of using it to decorate his own body.
A Haitian from Florida's now a rug in his foyer
Man Man has taken a Haitian individual from Florida and turned their remains into a rug, which he has placed in the entryway of his home.
A girl from Delaware is a high arched back chair
Man Man has transformed the remains of a young girl from Delaware into a chair with an arched back.
The paper boy's a paper weight
Man Man has used the remains of a paper boy to create a decorative paper weight.
Alberta's a lampshade
Man Man has turned the remains of an individual named Alberta into a lampshade, which he presumably uses to illuminate his home.
The fireman's an ashtray
Man Man has used the remains of a fireman to create an ashtray, which he likely uses to dispose of cigarette butts.
The DJ spins as fan blades
Man Man has transformed a DJ's remains into fan blades, which he presumably uses to circulate air in his home.
When will it end?
Man Man questions when his acts of violence will cease and his compulsions will be satisfied.
Oh these horrible things
Man Man is acknowledging that his actions are terrible and causing him distress.
He asks himself nightly
Man Man frequently reflects on his actions and the impact they have on himself and others.
Voices in his head sing
Man Man experiences auditory hallucinations, likely as a result of his violent tendencies and disturbed state of mind.
You're born what you're meant to be
Man Man believes that individuals are born with a predetermined nature and purpose in life.
If you're bad then be bad the best
Man Man advocates for individuals to fully embrace their negative tendencies and not hold back.
If you're good stay away from me
Man Man recognizes that his actions are harmful and encourages those who are not similarly inclined to avoid associating with him.
We're a bad influence we're the best
Man Man acknowledges that he and others like him are negative influences on those around them, but takes pride in this fact.
If you wanna steal go and steal what you want
Man Man condones theft and encourages individuals to take what they desire without hesitation.
If sniffing women's heels gets you off, I won't watch
Man Man is accepting of individuals who have unconventional sexual preferences, even if he personally finds them distasteful.
And if you gotta dress like a fox in distress
Man Man encourages individuals to express themselves in whatever way makes them happy, even if this means dressing in unconventional or bizarre clothing.
In the woods well you can and you could and you should
Man Man suggests that individuals should not restrict themselves based on societal norms or expectations, and should feel free to explore their unconventional desires or fantasies.
Oh here's a story of a lovely lady
Man Man retells a story about a woman and her children, which he has presumably heard or read.
Who had three daughters who drove her fucking crazy
The woman in the story had three daughters who she found to be difficult and infuriating.
She hacked em up with an old machete
In an extreme fit of rage, the woman in the story used a machete to murder her three daughters.
And threw a party with dead daughter confetti
The woman in the story continued to display a disregard for the value of human life, using the remains of her daughters in a celebratory manner.
I comb my hair (hair)
Man Man performs normal, everyday grooming activities.
I brush my teeth (teeth)
Man Man continues to perform routine grooming activities.
I eat my peace like a good boy's supposed to
Man Man conforms to societal expectations by behaving appropriately and responsibly.
I wear a tie (tie)
Man Man appears to be a professional or responsible member of society, as indicated by his choice of clothing.
Boa constrictive (snake)
Man Man wears a snake as a fashion accessory, potentially indicating his fascination with animals or his desire to appear unconventional.
I eat my pride like a lion's supposed to
Man Man is willing to humble himself and make sacrifices in order to conform to societal expectations.
We're a bad influence, we're the best
Man Man reiterates his belief that he and other negative influences are superior to others in some way.
Contributed by Zachary V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.