I Can Make You A Man
Rocky Horror Picture Show [sdtrk] Lyrics
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Will get sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
And soon in the gym
With a determined chin
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Will make him glisten
And just a little bit of steam
He'll be pink and quite clean
He'll be a strong man
Oh, honey!
But the wrong man
He'll eat nutritious, high protein
And swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders
His chest, arms, and legs
Such an effort
If he only knew of my plan
In just seven days
I can make you a man
He'll do press-ups and chin-ups
Do the snatch, clean, and jerk
He thinks dynamic tension
Must be hard work
Such strenuous living
I just don't understand
When in just seven days
Oh, baby
I can make you a man
The song “I Can Make You a Man” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show is a seductive, somewhat creepy tune sung by Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist who is determined to create the perfect man. The opening lines of the song paint a picture of a weakling who weighs 98 pounds and is constantly picked on and kicked to the ground. However, Frank-N-Furter sees potential in this weakling, and decides to transform him into a muscular and strong man within just seven days.
He does this by putting the weakling on a high protein diet and having him perform a series of strenuous exercises like press-ups and chin-ups, snatch, clean and jerk, that will eventually make him tough, muscular and strong. Frank subtly injects erotic undertones into the song, as he massages and grooms the man to be the perfect specimen he desires. The ending of the song emphasizes the lengths Frank is willing to go to create his perfect man, hinting at more sinister plans he may have in store for his creation.
Overall, “I Can Make You a Man” showcases the obsessive and perverse mindset of its main character, as he seeks to create his ideal partner or experiment.
Line by Line Meaning
A weakling weighing ninety-eight pounds
A physically underdeveloped person who weighs less than average.
Will get sand in his face
Will be easily susceptible to physical harm or bullying.
When kicked to the ground
When faced with a physical challenge or adversity.
And soon in the gym
After experiencing defeat or humiliation, they will turn to exercise as a means of self-improvement.
With a determined chin
With a resolute expression and mindset towards achieving their goals.
The sweat from his pores
The perspiration caused by the physical exertion of exercising.
As he works for his cause
As he invests effort and energy towards improving his physique and overcoming his weaknesses.
Will make him glisten
His sweat will cause his skin to shine or sparkle.
And gleam, and with massage
And with the application of pressure to his muscles to promote relaxation and blood flow.
And just a little bit of steam
And with a small amount of heat to relax his muscles and promote blood flow.
He'll be pink and quite clean
He will have a healthy complexion and be free of dirt or grime.
He'll be a strong man
He will have developed significant physical strength through his training.
Oh, honey!
A term of endearment used to express affection.
But the wrong man
However, without the right guidance, support, or motivation, he will not reach his fullest potential.
He'll eat nutritious, high protein
He will consume a balanced and high-protein diet to fuel his workouts and aid muscle growth.
And swallow raw eggs
He will consume raw eggs as a source of protein.
Try to build up his shoulders
He will focus his exercises on strengthening and enlarging his shoulder muscles.
His chest, arms, and legs
He will also focus on building strength and size in these other key areas of the body.
Such an effort
It will require a significant and sustained amount of hard work and dedication.
If he only knew of my plan
If only he knew the effective and efficient way to improve his physique and reach his goals.
In just seven days
In a remarkably short amount of time.
I can make you a man
I can transform you into a physically strong and confident individual through my guidance and training regimen.
He'll do press-ups and chin-ups
He will perform exercises such as push-ups and chin-ups to target his upper body muscles.
Do the snatch, clean, and jerk
He will perform Olympic lifts such as the snatch, clean, and jerk to build total body strength and explosiveness.
He thinks dynamic tension
He believes in the principle of 'dynamic tension', or contracting his muscles throughout the day to build strength.
Must be hard work
He believes that consistent and sustained effort is necessary to see results.
Such strenuous living
Such a physically demanding lifestyle.
I just don't understand
I do not see the point or effectiveness of his approach to physical fitness.
When in just seven days
When in a remarkably short amount of time.
Oh, baby
A term of endearment used to express affection.
I can make you a man
I can transform you into a physically strong and confident individual through my guidance and training regimen.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.