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 Prettiest Song in the World
Man Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, this manic light
That awakens you
In the middle of the night
Drives this fear of dying on the vine again
Like a clergyman from the sticks
Who found Satan sixty-nineing
In a motel room in Kansas City
I had an epiphany
Watching infomercials
Of normal people scream
I′ll never satisfy my growing need for speed
It's why I walk all day and night
And cry myself to sleep
I wanna shop
Until I drop
I wanna shop
Until I drop
I wanna shop
Until I
I wanted to write you
The prettiest song in the world
But I got distracted
The wildfires over Burbank
I wanted to write you
The prettiest song in the world
But I got distracted
So I didn′t
The lyrics of "The Prettiest Song in the World" by Man Man convey a sense of desperation, longing, and distraction. The opening lines question the origin of a manic light that disturbs the singer in the middle of the night, fueling a fear of dying without achieving their goals. The mention of a clergyman from the sticks engaging in taboo activities adds a surreal and provocative element to the song.
The singer's realization comes while watching infomercials, where they see "normal people" screaming, highlighting their own sense of alienation and unfulfilled desires. The lyrics imply a sense of restlessness and a need for speed, which the singer attempts to satisfy through constant walking and nighttime tears.
The shopping motif appears as a symbol of consumerism and its potential for temporary satisfaction. The repetition of "I wanna shop until I drop" suggests a desire to escape or distract from deeper feelings of emptiness and unfulfilled desires.
In terms of distractions, the wildfires over Burbank are mentioned, indicating a literal event that captured the singer's attention and took them away from their original intention of crafting a beautiful song for someone. The lyrics express regret for yielding to distractions and missing the opportunity to create something meaningful.
Overall, "The Prettiest Song in the World" delves into themes of longing, distraction, and the struggle to find satisfaction and purpose in a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
Where does it even come from
What is the source of this overwhelming feeling
Oh, this manic light
The intense and frenzied energy that consumes
That awakens you
That forcefully brings you to consciousness
In the middle of the night
During the darkest hours of sleep
Drives this fear of dying on the vine again
Creates anxiety of withering away without fulfillment
Like a clergyman from the sticks
Similar to a religious leader from a remote area
Who found Satan sixty-nineing
Who discovered Satan engaged in a depraved act
Sucking dicks
Performing oral sex
In a motel room in Kansas City
Inside a lodging establishment in Kansas City
I had an epiphany
I experienced a sudden realization
Watching infomercials
Viewing commercials promoting products or services
Of normal people scream
Where ordinary individuals passionately express themselves
I′ll never satisfy my growing need for speed
I will never fulfill my continually increasing desire for excitement
It's why I walk all day and night
This is why I relentlessly wander ceaselessly
And cry myself to sleep
And weep until I find solace in slumber
I wanna shop
I desire to engage in excessive consumerism
Until I drop
Until I am physically exhausted
I wanted to write you
I intended to compose for you
The prettiest song in the world
The most beautiful piece of music imaginable
But I got distracted
However, I became unfocused
The wildfires over Burbank
The uncontrolled fires occurring above Burbank
So I didn't
And thus, I failed to do so
Writer(s): Ryan Patrick Kattner
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.