American duo Hall and Oates covered the song a year later gaining some chart success with their own version.
Family Man
Mike Oldfield Lyrics
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She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She had sultry eyes
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
She showed less than pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite
Please, just leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man in sight
He could not mistake
She wanted to go back with him and spend the night
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite
Please, just leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
She turned, tossed her head
And then she started to make her final exit line
She showed real disdain
As if explaining again, she could be his for a price
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far, I just might"
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might" (might, might, might, might, might)
The lyrics of "Family Man" by Mike Oldfield are about a man who is being propositioned by a woman who is willing to sell herself to him in exchange for money. She uses her physical appearance and sultry demeanor to try to persuade him to give in to her advances. However, the man resists her temptations and makes it clear that he is a family man who is not interested in getting involved with her.
Despite the woman's efforts to change his mind, the man stays firm in his principles and refuses to give in to her desires. The phrase "my bark is much worse than my bite" is a common idiom that means he may seem tough, but he is not as aggressive as he appears. The man's refusal to engage with the woman demonstrates his loyalty to his family and his commitment to his principles.
Overall, the lyrics of the song emphasize the importance of family values and the need for individuals to remain true to themselves and their principles, even in the face of temptation. The man in the song shows that it is possible to resist these temptations and stay true to oneself, even when faced with challenging situations.
Line by Line Meaning
She had sulky smile
The woman had a sad, moody expression on her face
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She positioned herself the way she usually did when interacting with men
She had sultry eyes
She had a seductive look in her eyes
She made it perfectly plain that she was his for a price
She made it clear that she would only be with him if he paid her
But he said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He rejected her advances, telling her that he was married and that he might seem intimidating but wouldn't actually hurt her
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
If you push me too far I just might"
He warned her that if she continued to pursue him, he might lose his temper
She wore her hurt surprise
As she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
She looked hurt and surprised when he rejected her, but then quickly composed herself and fixed her make-up
She showed less than pride
She made it totally clear that she was his for a night
She admitted that she wasn't proud of what she was doing and that she was only interested in a one-night stand
She gave him her look
It would have worked on any other man in sight
She gave him a seductive gaze that would have worked on most men
He could not mistake
She wanted to go back with him and spend the night
He knew what she wanted, but he still refused her advances
She turned, tossed her head
And then she started to make her final exit line
She turned away from him and acted as though she was leaving for good
She showed real disdain
As if explaining again, she could be his for a price
She acted as though she was annoyed by his rejection and reminded him that she was still available if he paid her
He said, "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He once again told her that he was married and that he might seem tough but wouldn't actually hurt her
If you push me too far, I just might"
He repeated his earlier warning that if she continued to pursue him, he might lose his temper
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Brough Pert-Morris, Eddie Fenn, Maggie Reilly, Michael Gordon Oldfield, Mike Fry, Timothy Kjell Cross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind