Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist… Read Full Bio ↴Pete Yorn (b. July 27, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Montville, New Jersey, United States.

Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Young’s "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.

He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.

He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.

Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down

The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.

The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.

The Man
Pete Yorn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walk me out by the water's edge
Oh, my brother
I'm coming down
We are you
We are almost there
And the man keeps coming 'round
I don't know who was right
Or what they saw in you that night

But here we are under moonlight
Words cannot describe
Walk me out in the morning sun
Oh, sweet momma
I'm coming down
We are young
We are almost there
And the man keeps coming 'round
And I don't know who was right
Or what they saw in you that night
Here we are under moonlight
Words cannot describe
It's clear to me
You're like
The oceans and the light
Try and you'll remember what you used to be
It's clear to me this day will take you for a ride
A place that you once longed to be
And there it is
I don't know who was right
Or what they saw in you that night
Here we are under the moonlight
Words cannot describe
Walk me out
By the water's edge
Oh, my brother

I'm coming down
We were young
We are almost there
And the man keeps coming 'round
The man keeps coming

Overall Meaning

The song "The Man" by Pete Yorn is a melancholic ode to reminiscing about the past while simultaneously being present in the moment. The song begins with a request to "Walk me out by the water's edge," which sets up the listener for a sentimental journey back in time. The line "We are you" is a direct reference to sharing a common history with someone else. The repetition of the phrase 'And the man keeps coming 'round' is an indication of how time moves forward regardless of our desires to stop it or slow it down.

The following line, 'I don't know who was right Or what they saw in you that night' is intriguing, suggesting a sense of confusion or bewilderment surrounding a past event. The chorus repeats twice, with the same lines, 'Here we are under the moonlight, words cannot describe,' creating a haunting and nostalgic tune. The bridge begins with, "It's clear to me, you're like the oceans and the light," creating a beautiful image of the complexity of life's experiences. The lines "Try, and you'll remember what you used to be, it's clear to me this day will take you for a ride, a place that you once longed to be" indicate that the past is not only full of fond memories but also intense emotional experiences.

The song closes with the lines "Walk me out by the water's edge, oh, my brother, I'm coming down. We were young, we're almost there, and the man keeps coming around," creating a sense of finality but also the reminder that the past is always present.

Line by Line Meaning

Walk me out by the water's edge
Come with me to the water's edge

Oh, my brother
Calling out to a close friend or companion

I'm coming down
Feeling down or low

We are you
We are the same, we have similarities

We are almost there
We are close to achieving our goal or destination

And the man keeps coming 'round
There is someone who keeps bothering us or coming back into our lives

I don't know who was right
I am uncertain who made the right decision

Or what they saw in you that night
I am unsure what someone saw in your character or behavior

But here we are under moonlight
Nevertheless, we are here together at night under the moonlight

Words cannot describe
It is impossible to convey our feelings or experiences with words

Walk me out in the morning sun
Take a walk with me in the morning sunshine