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.
Poor Jackie
Man Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She swears that all she sees
Is the hunger in their eyes
And the desperation in their speech
Jackie hunts the shadows
With a bowie knife at her elbows
She cuts free those horrible drums
She wears their fear around her neck
(I heard it all from shady streets)
(She travels light on angel feet)
(Best watch your back if I were you)
(Her body's warm and that's her cue)
Jackie's still on the loose
As detectives gather clues
So she tattoos a mustache above her lip
Shaves her head, curses God for those hips
That sway when the beat plays
Dead giveaway she ain't no man
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
"Rescue me" is written on your bed
Home is where the bullet lands
As it travels through your head, and I believe
That all I need to set me free
Is for someone someday somewhere to murder me
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
And I walk the same cold streets
Overhear the same heartbeats
And I tune my drum just right
So you can come set it off in the night
And I want to be embraced by you
And see our violent paths collide
I want to crawl in your autumn mouth
And feel the crows pick me apart inside
And everything that they said is true
I'm on a downward spiral towards you
And I'll fight through the positive steps
As I hurl towards my final descent
And I need to get back to you
And lay this heavy head in your lap
'Cause these days nothing makes more sense
Than the dance towards the inevitable end
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
'Cause I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
And my eyes are more open now
Than they'll ever be
(Why it got to be)
(I heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it ended before)
(Why it got to be)
(I've heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it end before)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
The song "Poor Jackie" by Man Man is a haunting and intense ballad that tells the story of a woman named Jackie who travels through the streets, observing the despair and desperation of those living in poverty. She carries a Bowie knife with her and uses it to cut free the metaphorical drums that beat under peoples' sternums, representing their desperation and fear. The lyrics suggest that Jackie is almost a vigilante, fighting against the injustices of the world she inhabits, but also suggest that she is haunted by her own struggles.
The song speaks to themes of gender, power, and morality. The character of Jackie challenges traditional notions of femininity and gender roles, wielding a knife and hunting in shadows. She is a complex and multifaceted character, at once fighting for justice and also wrestling with her own demons. The lyrics suggest that there is something in her that calls out for violence and self-destruction, perhaps a result of the world that she inhabits.
Throughout the song, the lyrics repeat the refrain "Cause it don't always end," suggesting a kind of existential despair or hopelessness. The final lines suggest a desire for release and even death, as the singer declares their desire to be murdered. Overall, the lyrics of "Poor Jackie" paint a bleak and haunting portrait of a world rife with poverty and violence, and the struggles of those caught in its midst.
Line by Line Meaning
Jackie hits the streets
Jackie is wandering around in search of something.
She swears that all she sees
In her eyes, every person she sees is hungry and desperate.
Is the hunger in their eyes
Jackie sees the hunger in the people's eyes, which is a reflection of their lack of food and basic necessities.
And the desperation in their speech
She notices the frustration in their voices as they struggle to express their pain and misfortunes.
Jackie hunts the shadows
Hiding in the shadows, Jackie searches for a way out of her predicament.
With a bowie knife at her elbows
Jackie is prepared to defend herself with a sharp-edged knife.
She cuts free those horrible drums
Jackie is attempting to release the crippling drum that beats within people's chests and traumatizes them, freeing them from their pain.
That beat like bats under their sternums
The drums in their chest resemble bats that continue to beat restlessly, causing them a lot of pain.
She wears their fear around her neck
She uses people's fears to power her resolve, motivating her to continue fighting against the injustice they face.
"Rescue me" is written on your bed
Jackie is reminding herself of the potential for rescue which she has written on her bed.
Home is where the bullet lands As it travels through your head, and I believe That all I need to set me free Is for someone someday somewhere to murder me
He wants Jackie to kill him because he believes death will set him free.
And I walk the same cold streets Overhear the same heartbeats And I tune my drum just right So you can come set it off in the night
The person singing the song is walking the same streets and similar circumstances, and has adjusted their heart like a drum so that they can share their pain with Jackie.
And I want to be embraced by you And see our violent paths collide I want to crawl in your autumn mouth And feel the crows pick me apart inside
The person wishes for Jackie to love them, and for their painful paths to touch; they are willing to be vulnerable with Jackie.
There ain't no God here As far as I can see Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me (Cause it don't always end)
The person singing the song is disillusioned and asserts that there may be no God, based on their life circumstances.
(Cause it don't always end) (Cause it don't always end) (Cause it don't always end) (Cause it don't always end) (Cause it don't always end)
People's struggles and suffering are never guaranteed to end, and this fact is continually repeated throughout the song.
Contributed by Xavier W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stifler Miles
Jackie hits the streets
She swears that all she sees
Is the hunger in their eyes
And the desperation in their speech
Jackie hunts the shadows
With a bowie knife at her elbows
She cuts free those horrible drums
That beat like bats under their sternums
She wears their fear around her neck
(I heard it all from shady streets)
(She travels light on angel feet)
(Best watch your back if I were you)
(Her body's warm and that's her cue)
Jackie's still on the loose
As detectives gather clues
So she tattoos a mustache above her lip
Shaves her head, curses God for those hips
That sway when the beat plays
Dead giveaway she ain't no man
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
"Rescue me" is written on your bed
Home is where the bullet lands
As it travels through your head, and I believe
That all I need to set me free
Is for someone someday somewhere to murder me
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
And I walk the same cold streets
Overhear the same heartbeats
And I tune my drum just right
So you can come set it off in the night
And I want to be embraced by you
And see our violent paths collide
I want to crawl in your autumn mouth
And feel the crows pick me apart inside
And everything that they said is true
I'm on a downward spiral towards you
And I'll fight through the positive steps
As I hurl towards my final descent
And I need to get back to you
And lay this heavy head in your lap
'Cause these days nothing makes more sense
Than the dance towards the inevitable end
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
'Cause I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
And my eyes are more open now
Than they'll ever be
(Why it got to be)
(I heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it ended before)
(Why it got to be)
(I've heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it end before)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
Chirch
OH SHIT!
Before I was just sort of enjoying this song and didn't exactly know what it was about, but then....I read a part of the lyrics.
Jackie hunts the shadows
with a bowie knife at her elbows
she cuts free those horrible drums
that beat like bats
under their sternums
It's full of a lot of similes but the meaning got across.
zakosist
I feel like after hearing this song several times, it has just gotten better and better. Now I really love this song!
flaming motion
Same! A guy named dusty maddox showed me this band :')
Poeticriffraff er
This is phenomenal, I'll be damned if I thought I would randomly find something this epic and obscure.
Stifler Miles
Jackie hits the streets
She swears that all she sees
Is the hunger in their eyes
And the desperation in their speech
Jackie hunts the shadows
With a bowie knife at her elbows
She cuts free those horrible drums
That beat like bats under their sternums
She wears their fear around her neck
(I heard it all from shady streets)
(She travels light on angel feet)
(Best watch your back if I were you)
(Her body's warm and that's her cue)
Jackie's still on the loose
As detectives gather clues
So she tattoos a mustache above her lip
Shaves her head, curses God for those hips
That sway when the beat plays
Dead giveaway she ain't no man
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
"Rescue me" is written on your bed
Home is where the bullet lands
As it travels through your head, and I believe
That all I need to set me free
Is for someone someday somewhere to murder me
And I don't see what everybody
Sees in your sexy body
All I see is a shallow grave
Trapped inside of a pretty face
And I walk the same cold streets
Overhear the same heartbeats
And I tune my drum just right
So you can come set it off in the night
And I want to be embraced by you
And see our violent paths collide
I want to crawl in your autumn mouth
And feel the crows pick me apart inside
And everything that they said is true
I'm on a downward spiral towards you
And I'll fight through the positive steps
As I hurl towards my final descent
And I need to get back to you
And lay this heavy head in your lap
'Cause these days nothing makes more sense
Than the dance towards the inevitable end
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
And I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
So please come with your sharpened knives
And murder me
'Cause I'm wearing virginal white for you
Don't you see?
And my eyes are more open now
Than they'll ever be
(Why it got to be)
(I heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it ended before)
(Why it got to be)
(I've heard it all before)
('Cause it don't always end)
(The way it end before)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
There ain't no God here
(Why's it got to be)
As far as I can see
(I've heard it all before)
Your God of hope and light never did nothing straight by me
('Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
(Cause it don't always end)
Arthur Dent
There ain't no god here, as far as I can see. Your god of hope and light never did nothin straight by me.
Man I love this song so much.
a channel by any other name
I remember when I first learned all the lyrics to this song, the groove was already great, but belting out what Honus Honus is saying alongside makes it that much more magical. This is in my top 5 Man Man songs with Van Helsing, Skin Tension, Gold Teeth and Man Who Make you Sick.
Tyler Smart
Been a fan since 2006. Never gets old
Heater Pie
Nope. Them Skeleton Key,Bungle and Waits never do for me
Silly Griboedov
This song will always hold deep emotional value to me. Appreciate the upload.
D F
Sometimes I just fast forward to 3:40 and start listening there; it’s like a whole new song.