Based in Philadelphia, PA, Man Man is an experimental indie band that incor… Read Full Bio ↴Based in Philadelphia, PA, Man Man is an experimental indie band that incorporates Eastern European and circus-esque styles in their music, creating a unique sound. The band consists of Honus Honus (lead vocals, piano, percussion), Pow Pow (drums, auxiliary percussion), Critter Crat (aka Cougar) (guitar, trumpet, bass, marimba, vocals), Organ Freeman (synth, organ, accordion, vocals), and Chang Wang (alto sax, bari sax, vibraphone, melodica, flute, percussion, vocals).

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.

Pyramids
Man Man Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know just what you are
It's not a bowl of ice cream
It's not a conflict diamond
Or a double scoop of saline

I know just what you want
Its what we all desire
It's not a foxy lover

Or the call of higher powers

I smash my crystal ball
I burn my tarot cards
'Cause I can't hit the notes I used to

Pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams
Pyramids of money that you'll probably never see, It's true

I don't need no PhD to show me that my flaws run deep
We'll burn our merit badges at night
I don't need no E.M.T. to show me how my heart should be
We'll earn our merit badges at night

I know just what you are
It's not a Burmese pony
It's not a dying death wish
Or a child that's raised by Kony
I know just what you want
It's what we all desire
It's not a call for peace
Or knocking down the Ivory towers

I smash my crystal ball
I burn my tarot cards, cause
I can't hit the notes I used to
I can't hit the notes I want to

Pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams
Pyramids of money pirouetting in your dreams
Pyramids of money that you'll probably never see, It's true

I know just what you are
It's not a bowl of ice cream
It's not a conflict diamond (I know just what you are)
Or a double scoop of saline
I know just what you want
It's what we all desire (I know just what you are)
It's not a foxy lover
Or the call of higher powers

I smash my crystal ball
I burn my tarot cards

I know just what you are
It's not a Burmese pony (I know just what you are)
It's not a dying death wish
Or a child that's raised by Kony

I know just what you want
It's what we all desire (I know just what you want)
It's not a call for peace or knocking down the Ivory towers

I smash my crystal ball (I know just what you are)
I burn my tarot cards (I know just what you are)

I know just what you are
I know just what you are

I know just what you are
I know just what you are

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Man Man's song Pyramids explore the human desire for wealth and success, while also acknowledging the superficial nature of these desires. The repetition of "I know just what you are" suggests that the singer has insight into the listener's desires and motivations, and the comparisons to various things (e.g. "It's not a conflict diamond" or "It's not a dying death wish") highlight the discrepancies between these objects and the true nature of what humans really want.

The lines "Pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams / Pyramids of money that you'll probably never see" further emphasize the theme of materialistic desires and the futility of chasing after them. The singer seems resigned to this fact, as evidenced by their burning of tarot cards and smashing of a crystal ball - both tools for predicting the future and seeking guidance.

Line by Line Meaning

I know just what you are
I understand your true nature

It's not a bowl of ice cream
You are not something fleeting and ephemeral

It's not a conflict diamond
You are not something tainted and corrupted

Or a double scoop of saline
You are not something artificial and insincere

I know just what you want
I understand your true desire

Its what we all desire
Your desire is a common one among all humans

It's not a foxy lover
Your desire is not romantic or sexual in nature

Or the call of higher powers
Your desire is not spiritual or religious in nature

I smash my crystal ball
I give up trying to predict your fate

I burn my tarot cards
I give up trying to influence your fate

Pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams
You dream of vast wealth and luxury

Pyramids of money that you'll probably never see, It's true
You are unlikely to ever achieve that level of wealth

I don't need no PhD to show me that my flaws run deep
I am aware that I am flawed without formal education

We'll burn our merit badges at night
We reject the idea of external validation and accolades

I don't need no E.M.T. to show me how my heart should be
I don't need medical intervention to know what I truly feel

I know just what you are
I understand your true nature

It's not a Burmese pony
You are not something exotic or rare

It's not a dying death wish
You are not something morbid or disturbing

Or a child that's raised by Kony
You are not someone who has suffered atrocities

It's what we all desire
Your desire is a common one among all humans

It's not a call for peace or knocking down the Ivory towers
Your desire is not political or ideological in nature

Lyrics © KILLPHONIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@channel47b39

9y↑24

i know just what you are
it's not a bowl of ice-cream
it's not a conflict diamond
or a double scoop of saline
i know just what you want
it's what we all desire
it's not a foxy lover
or the call of higher powers
i smash my crystal ball
i burn my tarot cards
cause i can't hit the notes i used to
pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams
pyramids of money that you'll probably never see
it's true
i don't need no PHD to tell me that my flaws run deep
we'll burn our merit badges at night
i don't need no EMT
to show me how my heart should beat
we'll earn our merit badges at night
i know just what you are
it's not a burmese pony
it's not a dying death-wish
or a child that raised by Kony
i know just what you want
it's what we all desire
it's not a call for peace
or knocking down the ivory towers
i smash my crystal ball
i burn my tarot cards
cause i can't hit the notes i use to
i can't hit the notes i want to
pyramids of money silhouetting in your dreams
pyramids of money pirouetting in your dreams
pyramids of money that you'll probably never see
it's true
i know just what you are
it's not a bowl of ice-cream
it's not a conflict diamond
or a double scoop of saline
i know just what you want
it's what we all desire
it's not a foxy lover
or the call of higher powers
i smash my crystal ball
i burn my tarot cards
i know just what you are
it's not a burmese pony
it's not a dying death-wish
or a child that raised by Kony
i know just what you want
it's what we all desire
it's not a call for peace
or knocking down the ivory towers
i smash my crystal ball
i burn my tarot cards
i know just what you are
i know just what you are
i know just what you are
i know just what you are

@channel47b39

9y↑6

All comments from YouTube:

@jeffreybongo

4y↑6

This song has a Saint Motel vibe to it! Almost like Benny Goodman or My Type. Every single song the Man Man band puts out is just wonderful in its own way!