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.
The Ballad Of Butter Beans
Man Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m gonna stick you I’m gonna take you down
And then romp; I’m goin' to hell, you're riding shot gun
(Butter beans, I’m gonna get you,
I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you)
Butter beans, I know she wants you
That you’ll make a lovely headdress or
A double breasted suit of skin
(Butter beans, I’m gonna get you,
I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you)
Cause Butter beans, you better stay sharp
Cause I’m gonna freeze out life blood from that black heart
I’m gonna fry I’m gonna fry with a smile on my face
(Butter beans, I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you,
I’m gonna get you)
You think you’re so slick
I seen her lipstick 'cross your dillsnick
You think you’re so slick
I seen a lipstick cross you're dillsnick
Butter beans, you go and try and hide
In the swamp grass I got swamp eyes
And I’ll track you down like a bloodhound
It’s your time to die
(Butter beans I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you,
I’m gonna get you)
Butter beans, you’ve gotten so fat
I can barely carry your weight across my tiny back
Taught me singing and aim and I'll sin when you say my name
(Butter beans, I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna get you,
I’m gonna get you)
Real thick black magic can't stop the tragedy
From happening
Pig’s feet and snake piss
Crow tongue and cat face
Horse tail and bone bits
Bird’s nest and grave dust
All of it won’t keep the tragedy from happening
So run
The Ballad of Butter Beans by Man Man is an eccentric ode to a character called Butter Beans, who is depicted as an object of desire and rivalry between the singer and another person. The song's lyrics use a macabre and surreal imagery to describe the singer's intentions to "get" Butter Beans, who will "make a lovely headdress" or "double breasted suit of skin." The singer's obsession with Butter Beans is portrayed as a twisted and violent relationship that will ultimately lead them both to hell. The repeated refrain, "Butter beans, I'm gonna get you," adds to the song's ominous tone.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they seem to suggest themes of jealousy, possessiveness, and the destructive nature of desire. The line, "You think you're so slick, I seen her lipstick 'cross your dillsnick," indicates that Butter Beans has maybe taken the singer's love interest away, sparking a desire for revenge. The use of symbols associated with black magic and the supernatural, such as "crow tongue" and "grave dust," adds to a haunting and mysterious atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Butter beans, I’m gonna get you, I’m gonna stick you I’m gonna take you down
And then romp; I’m goin' to hell, you're riding shot gun
The singer is planning to harm and enjoy torturing the subject, with the belief that they will eventually go to hell while the subject will be his partner in crime.
Butter beans, I know she wants you
That you’ll make a lovely headdress or
A double breasted suit of skin
The singer is aware that someone else desires the subject for their own purposes, and that the subject would be a good fit for their desired outcome (either as a decoration or clothing).
Cause Butter beans, you better stay sharp
Cause I’m gonna freeze out life blood from that black heart
I’m gonna fry I’m gonna fry with a smile on my face
The singer plans to harm the subject emotionally or mentally, believing that they have a wicked nature and that doing so will bring them joy.
You think you’re so slick
I seen her lipstick 'cross your dillsnick
You think you’re so slick
I seen a lipstick cross you're dillsnick
The artist is accusing the subject of being deceptive and cheating on someone who wears lipstick, while also calling attention to the subject's genitals.
Butter beans, you go and try and hide
In the swamp grass I got swamp eyes
And I’ll track you down like a bloodhound
It’s your time to die
The artist is threatening to find and kill the subject, using their exceptional abilities to track them down.
Butter beans, you’ve gotten so fat
I can barely carry your weight across my tiny back
Taught me singing and aim and I'll sin when you say my name
The singer believes the subject is physically burdensome, but taught them useful skills in exchange for their support; the singer is willing to act immorally at the subject's request.
Real thick black magic can't stop the tragedy
From happening
Pig’s feet and snake piss
Crow tongue and cat face
Horse tail and bone bits
Bird’s nest and grave dust
All of it won’t keep the tragedy from happening
So run
The singer has tried to use magic to avoid an inevitable tragedy, but it hasn't worked; the singer advises the subject to escape to avoid the same fate.
Contributed by Joshua P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kimberly Muse
They can do no wrong. Simply Brilliant that Man Man.
Sambie
this band is so amazingly odd
DeBaun Art
Love this song. Do Zebra next!
Anthony Rodriguez
Punk rock meets orchestration music . Synthetic bases created a spine tingling momentum anymore the Squirrel Zip Zippers could bend the Jazz root into develop symphonies. Would love to dismiss the Man Man contributions on the tablet but its only shutting away another door .
Dan Collins
This song reminds me so much of World/Inferno Friendship Society. Awesome stuff.
blew skidoo
one of the first times i ever smoked my friend played this fucking song and i was so fucking confused.
benjamin mcfarlane
I used to be that kind of friend.
CezrDaPleazr
The trippiest shit ever!
Sara Rose
BUTTER BEANNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSS
Sharon Adams
Supreme!....