My Man's Got a Cold
Paul Kelly Lyrics


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My man's got a cold
Oh, such a cold
Could be the worst ever cold
In the history of the world
And I've got a front seat row
To the whole sorry show
My man's got a cold
Everybody's been told
Oh, he's so blue and woebegone
He don't want to get it on

My man's got a cold

My man's got a bug
It's a nasty little bug
And he's taken every drug
But they just won't kill that bug
Now he's worried it might get worse
He's thinking about the hearse
My man's got a bug
And it's got him in such a fug
Oh, is there nothing nobody can do
Up against the man flu?

My man's got a cold

My man's got a cough
It's a stubborn kind of cough
He just can't shake it off
It's raspy and it's rough
He's off his wine and bread
He even said no to head (oh, oh)
My man's got it bad
Like nobody else has ever had
Well, if he don't come 'round soon
I just might have to put him down soon





My man's got a cold

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Kelly's song "My Man's Got a Cold" depict the singer's experience with her partner's illness. The song humorously exaggerates the severity of the common cold, suggesting that her man's cold is the worst ever in history. She sarcastically comments on being a front-seat witness to the "sorry show" of her partner's cold. The exaggeration continues as she describes him being so blue and woebegone that he doesn't want to engage in any intimate activities.


The second verse introduces the idea that her partner's illness might be more serious than just a cold, referring to it as a bug. Despite taking various drugs, the bug remains undefeated, causing her partner to worry that it might worsen. The lyrics playfully mention his thoughts going as far as thinking about a hearse, indicating that he is overly concerned about his illness. The last line of the verse refers to the notorious "man flu," a tongue-in-cheek term used to mock men for exaggerating their symptoms when they are sick.


In the final verse, the focus shifts to the cough that accompanies her partner's illness. The cough is described as stubborn, raspy, and rough, causing him to abstain from wine and bread and even refusing oral sex ("no to head"). The lyrics humorously highlight the severity of his condition, suggesting that no one has ever had it as bad as he does. The song ends with the playful threat that if he doesn't recover soon, she might have to "put him down," amplifying the exaggerations and poking fun at the melodrama surrounding the common cold.


Overall, "My Man's Got a Cold" is a lighthearted and comedic song that playfully exaggerates the experiences and reactions associated with a common illness.


Line by Line Meaning

My man's got a cold
My partner is currently suffering from a cold


Oh, such a cold
It is a particularly severe cold


Could be the worst ever cold
This might be the most extreme cold ever experienced


In the history of the world
In the entire recorded history of mankind


And I've got a front seat row
I am in the closest position to witness what is happening


To the whole sorry show
To the entire unfortunate spectacle


Everybody's been told
Everyone has been informed


Oh, he's so blue and woebegone
He is feeling extremely sad and melancholic


He don't want to get it on
He does not want to engage in any activities or intimacy


My man's got a bug
My partner has contracted an illness


It's a nasty little bug
The illness is particularly unpleasant


And he's taken every drug
He has tried every medication


But they just won't kill that bug
None of the medications are effectively curing the illness


Now he's worried it might get worse
He is concerned that the condition might worsen


He's thinking about the hearse
He is even contemplating his own mortality


And it's got him in such a fug
It has put him in a state of confusion and despair


Oh, is there nothing nobody can do
Are there truly no available solutions or remedies?


Up against the man flu?
Facing the notorious 'man flu' syndrome?


My man's got a cough
My partner is now experiencing a cough


It's a stubborn kind of cough
The cough is persistent and difficult to alleviate


He just can't shake it off
He is unable to recover or rid himself of the cough


It's raspy and it's rough
The cough sounds hoarse and harsh


He's off his wine and bread
He has abstained from consuming wine and bread


He even said no to head (oh, oh)
He declined any intimate or sexual activities (oral sex)


My man's got it bad
My partner is suffering greatly


Like nobody else has ever had
As if nobody has ever experienced such an affliction


Well, if he don't come 'round soon
If he does not recover soon


I just might have to put him down soon
I may have to figuratively 'put him down' or end the relationship


My man's got a cold
My partner is currently suffering from a cold




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Maurice Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Grey Ghost

I cracked up the first time I heard this. love Vika's delivery. the new album is a corker. thanks for many years of great music Mr. Kelly.

Susan E

I love this song! And only Vika could do it justice!!

LozzfrmOz

I was playing this for my brother who's sick. He replied through blocked nose " it's not a cold. It's a CHEST INFECTION!!! !"

andrew2004sydney

Awesome song. How come this hasn't gone viral?

Doug Tooley

Such a great great song. Vika is Etta James all over again. Beautiful woman!

Pamela Davis

Love this!

Raelene Clarke

Looked up songs to play for the flu & found this. Love it! Took away some of the pain.

Aden Thie

Good job Paul and Vika and the band!

Worlds Worst Musician

So damn good! You have to watch out for that manflu, it can be damn serious!
This is like an anthem in 2020, lol

Rockability - Voice Lessons, Vocal Coach, Singing Teacher Melbourne

Vika you rock, Paul you write amazing songs!!

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