Reversal of Man was a hardcore band from Tampa, Florida - featuring members… Read Full Bio ↴Reversal of Man was a hardcore band from Tampa, Florida - featuring members of Combatwoundedveteran - that existed from 1995 to 2000. They provided many tracks over the years to a lot of different compilations, and also did quite a few splits with other bands in their area. See below for discography.

Splits:

Split 7" w/ Cease (Pleed/Blacksmith Records)
Split 7" w/ Enemy Soil (Fistheldhigh Records)
Split LP w/ Puritan (King of the Monsters Records)
Split LP w/ Combatwoundedveteran (Schematics Records)
Split LP w/ Holocron (Pleed/Intention Records)

Compilations:

Placebo Compilation (Concurrent Records)
The Brave Do Not Fear The Grave Compilation (Grave Romance/Alveran)
Between A Rock And A Hard Place Compilation (Witching Hour Records)
403 Compilation (Schematics Records)
Che Fest 1999 Compilation (Slowdance Records)

Reversal of Man only:

Self-Titled 7" (Valrico Records)
4 Song Self-Titled Demo (Selfmade)
Revolution Summer 10" (Independence Day Records)
Revolution Summer CD (Schematics Records)
This Is Medicine CD/LP (Ebullition Records)
Discography CD (Schematics Records)

I'm A New York Detective
Reversal of Man Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

try so hard to be the black sheep
two second personality peaking around the corner as you place a knife in my back
acquaintances are sexual attractions
your ideas have mutated into a meat market as i zip down.

Overall Meaning

In the song, "I'm A New York Detective," Reversal of Man takes a critical view of the stereotypical 'bad boy' persona. The opening line, "try so hard to be the black sheep," speaks to the idea that the singer is putting on an act, trying to embody the rebellious outsider image. However, this illusion quickly unravels when the "two-second personality" is revealed. The singer is depicted as being duplicitous, backstabbing, and willing to sacrifice others for their own gain. The line "acquaintances are sexual attractions" demonstrates how the singer has a warped view of relationships, seeing others as nothing more than objects for their pleasure.

The final line, "your ideas have mutated into a meat market as I zip down," underscores the idea that the singer's worldview is distorted and twisted. They have become consumed by their own desires and ego, turning everything into a transaction to benefit themselves. Overall, the song is a critique of toxic masculinity and the harm it can cause.

Line by Line Meaning

try so hard to be the black sheep
I'm struggling to be different from everyone else

two second personality peaking around the corner as you place a knife in my back
You're two-faced and betray me when I'm not looking

acquaintances are sexual attractions
You only see people as potential sexual partners, not as friends

your ideas have mutated into a meat market as i zip down.
Your thoughts and beliefs have become shallow and superficial as you try to keep up with a fast-paced society

Contributed by Stella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS