Fred Mandel, a session keyboardist, plays the piano finale.
Mercury played rhythm guitar throughout the song, while Brian May played the solo using a Telecaster just as he did for "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".
Man On The Prowl
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna take a little walk on the wild side
I'm gonna loosen up and get me some gas
I'm gonna get me some action
Go crazy, driving in the fast lane
My baby left me alone
She done me dirty and I'm feeling so lonely
So come home, come home
Man on the prowl
You better watch out
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
I'm a man on the prowl
I don't wanna be a rock 'n' roll steady
I just wanna be low down trash
I wanna go to the movies
All I wanna do is sit on my ass - ooh
So honey come home (come home come home)
Don't leave me when I'm feeling so lonely
Come home (yeah yeah) - come home (yeah yeah)
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Man on the prowl
You better watch out
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
Well I keep dreaming about my baby
But it ain't gonna get me nowhere
(Bap bap) hey
I gonna teach my baby dancin'
(Bap bap)
But I ain't no Fred Astaire
So baby look out - I'm a man on the prowl
Look out - man on the prowl - yeah
Yeah - baby, baby, baby look out, yeah - man on the prowl
Baby come home
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Baby come home - oh yeah
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
So honey come home - come home
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl - yeah
Man on the prowl - yeah
Hey, stay with it
Loosen up
Wooh yep ha wooh ha
Yeah
Queen's song "Man on the Prowl" is about a man who is trying to cope with the loneliness and heartbreak of being left by his lover. He decides to take a walk on the wild side, to let loose and get into some trouble in an effort to distract himself from his pain. His desire for action leads him to drive fast and become a man on the prowl, looking for trouble in the hope that it will help him forget about his heartbreak. However, he ultimately realizes that what he truly wants is the companionship and love of his partner, and begs her to come home before he has a broken heart.
The lyrics suggest a desire for escapism from a difficult situation, with the singer wanting to avoid the responsibility of commitment and seeking out temporary distractions. However, ultimately the song is a plea for love and companionship, suggesting that even with all the excitement in the world, what really matters is having someone to share it with.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Excited and energized
I'm gonna take a little walk on the wild side
Going to try something daring and adventurous
I'm gonna loosen up and get me some gas
Going to relax and have a good time
I'm gonna get me some action
Going to have some fun and excitement
Go crazy, driving in the fast lane
Going to let loose and live life to the fullest
My baby left me alone
Significant other has abandoned me
She done me dirty and I'm feeling so lonely
Betrayed and feeling alone
So come home, come home
Asking for significant other to return
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Warning significant other of the consequences of not returning
Man on the prowl
Actively seeking new experiences
You better watch out
Warning others to be wary
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Actively seeking adventure and excitement
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
Repeated warning
I'm a man on the prowl
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
I don't wanna be a rock 'n' roll steady
Not interested in being predictable and boring
I just wanna be low down trash
Wants to be reckless and wild
I wanna go to the movies
Wants simple pleasures in life
All I wanna do is sit on my ass - ooh
Wants to relax and take it easy
So honey come home (come home come home)
Repeating request for return of significant other
Don't leave me when I'm feeling so lonely
Asking significant other not to abandon me
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Warning of consequences of not returning
Well I keep dreaming about my baby
Continues to think about significant other
But it ain't gonna get me nowhere
Realizes fantasy is not reality
(Bap bap) hey
Vocal sounds for emphasis
I gonna teach my baby dancin'
Wanting to share experiences with significant other
(Bap bap)
Vocal sounds for emphasis
But I ain't no Fred Astaire
Acknowledging limitations and faults
So baby look out - I'm a man on the prowl
Continues to seek adventure and excitement
Look out - man on the prowl - yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Yeah - baby, baby, baby look out, yeah - man on the prowl
Continuing to warn significant other and emphasize desire for adventure
Baby come home
Reiterating plea for return of significant other
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Reinforcing desire for excitement and thrill
Baby come home - oh yeah
Emphasizing desire for significant other to return
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
Continues to seek adventure and excitement
So honey come home - come home
Continues to ask for return of significant other
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl - yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Man on the prowl - yeah
Closing reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Hey, stay with it
Encouragement to continue seeking adventure
Loosen up
Relax and have fun
Wooh yep ha wooh ha
Vocal sounds for emphasis
Yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@comradeabby3141
Why is no one talking about John's groovy amazing bass. Come on people give john more credit he is amazing
@timonkozma9151
I totally agree
@bobthepigbobthepig4758
same i also agree John is my favorite member...
@rrsplinter221
John Deacon is the most underrated bassist in Rock and Roll music.
@alexcarratu5554
One of the most underrated songs from Queen. Very Elvis Presley sounding. Elvis inspired many artists after him who are still popular to this day and Queen and Freddie are two of them. Elvis was truly ahead of his time. Elvis was probably looking down on Queen smiling knowing that he'd influenced them. Bless Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Queen. RIP, geniuses and legends.
@alexcarratu5554
@M. M. Monroe, I've not listened to Eddie. Elvis Presley is very much present in this song in terms of influence. There are two more Elvis Presley sounding Queen songs: Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Dreamer's Ball, the former of which is the most well known Elvis Presley influenced Queen song.
@CelestialShinigami
It's called Rockabilly and it is still a very prevalent style. If you like it, try checking out the 'Stray Cats' (and even Brain Setzer by himself), Steve Earle, Los Lobos and Shakin' Stevens.
@alexcarratu5554
@@CelestialShinigami, thank you. I like Shakin' Stevens, but I've not heard the others' music you mentioned. Thanks very much.
@alexcarratu5554
@James Mathai, wow. Didn't know that. Thanks for that information. Also, Queen performed Jailhouse Rock at some of their shows in the 70s and 80s. Also, Freddie performed Jailhouse Rock with his pre-Queen band, Ibex, in the late 60s. These show that Freddie and Queen were Elvis Presley fans.
@thedillybarboy
I love it when Queen makes oldies style songs. Man on the Prowl, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and Dreamers Ball are amazing songs.