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.
Inner Iggy
Man Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Next day you're a head in an ice chest
A picture window
On a brick facade
And you hid your dreams in a shoebox
Underneath a life of hard knocks
Tsunami came along
Arigato glass stilettos
And you′re dancing no strings
Arigato glass stilettos
Skipping like a roman candle
Arigato glass stilettos
And you're dancing no strings attached
Arigato glass stilettos
One day you're queen of the jungle
Next day you′re fed to a snake pit
Your doppelganger has a missing arm
And you hid your dreams in a shoebox
Underneath a life of hard knocks
Tsunami came along
And kicked you into the garden
Arigato glass stilettos
And you′re dancing no strings
Arigato glass stilettos
Skipping like a roman candle
Arigato glass stilettos
And you're dancing no strings attached
Arigato glass stilettos
You gotta find your inner Iggy
You gotta find your inner Iggy
You gotta find your inner Iggy
You gotta ride your inner Iggy
And all I ever wanted
Was for you to kick my heart in baby
The lyrics to Man Man's song "Inner Iggy" depict the struggles and challenges in life, emphasizing the unpredictability and harshness of the world. The first verse describes the sudden downfall of someone who was once successful ("king of the mountain") but finds themselves reduced to a mere head in an ice chest. The image of a "picture window on a brick facade" suggests the facade or illusion of success that can come crashing down.
The chorus introduces the concept of "Arigato glass stilettos," which can be interpreted as a symbol of the fragile and delicate nature of dreams and aspirations. The lyrics imply that despite the hardships and setbacks, the individual continues to dance without any attachments or strings. This reflects a mindset of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
The second verse focuses on a similar theme, where the singer goes from being "queen of the jungle" to being sacrificed in a snake pit. The presence of a doppelganger with a missing arm further emphasizes the loss and struggle endured by the individual. The chorus repeats, reinforcing the message of finding strength and resilience within oneself.
The final lines of the song express a desire for the character to break the singer's heart, suggesting a longing for an intense emotional experience, even if it leads to pain. This adds another layer to the theme of seeking authenticity and unapologetically embracing one's inner self.
Overall, "Inner Iggy" can be interpreted as a reminder to embrace resilience, find inner strength, and pursue personal dreams despite the challenges and setbacks encountered along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
One day you're king of the mountain
At one point, you feel on top of the world and in control
Next day you're a head in an ice chest
Suddenly, you feel completely severed and detached from your previous position
A picture window on a brick facade
You present a constructed image of yourself that doesn't align with reality
And you hid your dreams in a shoebox
You kept your aspirations hidden away, out of fear or uncertainty
Underneath a life of hard knocks
Despite facing significant challenges and setbacks, you still hold onto your dreams
Tsunami came along and kicked you into the garbage
A sudden destructive force, like a metaphorical tsunami, drastically lowered your status or self-worth
Arigato glass stilettos
Expressing gratitude for the elegant and fragile facade you maintain
And you're dancing no strings
You're moving and living freely, without being tied down by obligations or expectations
Skipping like a roman candle
You're joyously and brightly shining, like a firework bursting with energy
One day you're queen of the jungle
Similar to being king of the mountain, you feel powerful and in control
Next day you're fed to a snake pit
Suddenly, you're betrayed or consumed by those around you
Your doppelganger has a missing arm
Your imitator or alter ego is flawed or incomplete, mirroring your own imperfections
And you hid your dreams in a shoebox
Once again, you keep your aspirations hidden, perhaps due to past disappointments
Underneath a life of hard knocks
Despite facing challenges, you continue to hold onto your dreams
Tsunami came along and kicked you into the garden
Similar to being kicked into the garbage, a destructive force disrupted your life and lowered your self-worth
You gotta find your inner Iggy
You need to discover and embrace your true, authentic self
You gotta ride your inner Iggy
You must confidently and boldly navigate through life as your genuine self
And all I ever wanted was for you to kick my heart in baby
All I desired was for you to passionately and wholeheartedly love me
Writer(s): Ryan Patrick Kattner
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.