Man Without Ties
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do the Friday night frozen pizza thing
Don't want no wife or no beginner
You're the Friday night frozen pizza king
Everything you buy is soon expired
Some neighbors they're a-thinking that you're gay
Others they assume that you've been fired
Men without ties don't dress for dinner
Do the Friday night frozen pizza thing
Don't want no wife or no beginner, with a knife
You're the Friday night frozen pizza king
On Saturday they won't catch you in your yard
You're dreaming of tonight's fine cuisine
With a microwave and a library card
It'll taste like plastic, but it'll be faster!
Ha, sing it!
Men without ties... it's about time
Men without ties don't dress for dinner
Men without ties don't need a thing
Don't want no wife, show to cut by
Man without ties is king
The lyrics of "Man Without Ties" by Paul Westerberg paint a picture of a man who is content with living a simple life devoid of any meaningful connection to people or societal norms. The man is described as someone who doesn't bother with dressing up for dinner or going out on Saturdays. Instead, he indulges in frozen pizza and other cheap, subpar consumables, hinting at a lack of ambition and care for his own well-being. The line "Don't want no wife or no beginner" suggests that he prefers to remain alone and detached, avoiding any sort of commitment or responsibility.
The lyrics also allude to how the man is perceived by others in his community. Some neighbors assume he is gay, while others think he has lost his job. He is portrayed as a recluse who spends his days smoking and doing nothing of significance. However, the song ends on a note of irony as the man is dubbed the "Friday night frozen pizza king" and is portrayed as a sort of anti-hero who is happy with his simplistic ways and shows no desire to conform to societal expectations.
Overall, "Man Without Ties" is a commentary on the pressure society puts on individuals to conform and fit a certain mold. The song provides a voice for those who deliberately choose to opt-out of mainstream expectations and the man without ties is upheld as a figure who is happy with his life, regardless of what others may think.
Line by Line Meaning
Men without ties don't dress for dinner
Men who don't wear formal attire aren't concerned with social norms or appearances.
Do the Friday night frozen pizza thing
They prefer a simple, easygoing lifestyle over extravagance.
Don't want no wife or no beginner
They enjoy being single and aren't looking for commitment or inexperience in a partner.
You're the Friday night frozen pizza king
They embrace their laid-back lifestyle and are content with simple pleasures.
Everything you buy is soon expired
Their lack of concern for material possessions results in them making poor purchasing decisions.
Some neighbors they're a-thinking that you're gay
Others may wrongly assume their relaxed lifestyle and lack of conventionality mean that they are homosexual.
Others they assume that you've been fired
Their unconventional choices may make others think that they have lost their job or are struggling financially.
See you smoking cigarettes all day
They may partake in harmful habits due to a lack of guidance or self-imposed rules.
On Saturday they won't catch you in your yard
They may prefer to stay indoors, enjoying their simple lifestyle rather than keeping up with the neighbors' socializing.
You're dreaming of tonight's fine cuisine
They may be content with their lifestyle but still daydream about being able to enjoy fancier cuisine.
With a microwave and a library card
They have little need for expensive possessions, and find joy in books and convenience food.
It'll taste like plastic, but it'll be faster! Ha, sing it!
They may accept the drawbacks of their lifestyle as necessary for simplicity and ease.
Men without ties... it's about time
This lifestyle is long overdue for those who don't feel the need for social convention.
Men without ties don't need a thing
A carefree, non-materialistic life is what they strive to achieve.
Don't want no wife, show to cut by
They are not seeking marriage, especially to someone who requires guidance or support.
Man without ties is king
Someone who can freely live life on their own terms is a true monarch.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind