Man About Town
Rose Tattoo Lyrics
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You must make a pact
Care of those for who we are
That's a cold hard fact
Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth
That's the game we play
Step all me and I'll step all over you
Don't push your luck
It's a long way down
Now you're dealing with
The man of this town
I'm a king without a crown
Oh, I won't set down
You can't pull me down
I'm the man of this town
Now the stage is set
Now it's time to act
Gotta know who I'm standing with
If You're gonna watch my back
(?)
or are you running away
I depend on you my friend
So I look to find another day
Don't push your luck
You won't face me down
I'm the king of these streets
I'm the king of this town
I'm the man about town
I ain't fooling around
You won't put me down
I'm the man about town
See conversant weakness
Of bending by things to say
So listen worth learning
It might save your life today
Solo
Don't push your luck
It's a long way down
I'm the king of these streets
King of this town
I'm the man about town
I'm the man about town
You won't put me down
I'm the man about town
The lyrics to "Man About Town" by Rose Tattoo speak to the power dynamics of a rough-and-tumble urban environment. The song opens with a call to action, as the singer insists that blood has been spilled and now a pact must be made in order to maintain control over the people and territory they seek to conquer. The lyrics allude to a code of conduct that demands an "eye for an eye" mentality, and the recognition that in this game, one must be prepared to step all over their opponents to maintain their position. The singer asserts their own dominance in the town, declaring themselves a king without a crown, and insisting that no one can pull them down.
The verses of the song emphasize the importance of alliances and loyalty in this context. The singer argues that they need to know who they can depend on, and that they must have allies who will watch their back as they navigate the dangers of their environment. The lyrics suggest that there are many who may look to betray or abandon one's cause, and that it is essential to find those who will not bend under pressure. In the end, the singer asserts their dominance once again, claiming to be the man about town who cannot be put down by anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the blood's been spilled
There has been violence and now it's time for a response.
You must make a pact
It's necessary to come together and unify for protection.
Care of those for who we are
Take care of your own, your group or community.
That's a cold hard fact
It's a harsh reality that can't be changed.
Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth
Retaliation in equal measure is the rule.
That's the game we play
This is how it goes in our society.
Step all me and I'll step all over you
If you step over me, I'll retaliate and make you pay.
It's always gonna be that way
This behavior is inevitable.
Don't push your luck
Don't test me.
It's a long way down
The consequences of your actions will be severe.
Now you're dealing with
You need to take me seriously.
The man of this town
I have a position of power in this location.
I'm a king without a crown
I hold power even without official recognition.
Oh, I won't set down
I won't back down or be defeated.
You can't pull me down
You can't take away my power.
Now the stage is set
The conditions are ready for action.
Now it's time to act
It's time for decisive behavior.
Gotta know who I'm standing with
I need to trust my allies and supporters.
If You're gonna watch my back
If I'm going to trust you, you better not betray me.
(?)
This line is unclear and the meaning is ambiguous.
or are you running away
Are you going to face the danger with me, or desert me?
I depend on you my friend
I need you to support me and have my back.
So I look to find another day
I'm searching for a better future, a brighter tomorrow.
I'm the king of these streets
I rule over the territories and people in this area.
I'm the king of this town
I am the dominant power in this location.
I'm the man about town
I'm the influential and respected person in the area.
I ain't fooling around
I'm serious, and not playing games.
You won't put me down
You can't defeat me or make me lose status.
See conversant weakness
Recognize and exploit the vulnerabilities of others.
Of bending by things to say
Be willing to bend your principles and say whatever it takes to succeed.
So listen worth learning
Pay attention, because there's something valuable to learn here.
It might save your life today
This knowledge could keep you safe and alive.
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
patrickflenu
Now the blood's been spilled
You must make a pact
Care of those for who we are
That's a cold hard fact
Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth
That's the game we play
Step all me and I'll step all over you
It's always gonna be that way
Don't push your luck
It's a long way down
Now you're dealing with
The man of this town
I'm a king without a crown
Oh, I won't set down
You can't pull me down
I'm the man of this town
Now the stage is set
Now it's time to act
Gotta know who I'm standing with
If You're gonna watch my back
(?)
Or are you running away
I depend on you my friend
So I look to find another day
Don't push your luck
You won't face me down
I'm the king of these streets
I'm the king of this town
I'm the man about town
I ain't fooling around
You won't…
clownicejoker
The riffs the solos the lyrics the drums. Everything is perfect on this song love it.
ROADKILL Official
Awesome song off an an awesome album, "Blood Brothers" - showing ROSE TATTOO are still one of Australia's best hard rock bands! \m/
Martin Galicia
"Im ma king without a crown" love rose tattoo....amazing lyrics, music, and band...how can you not love them???
Igor Dolecki
The best cut from the last album. When I play it in my car, the mirrors are shaking!!! Riffs are exploding. Rose Tattoo RULEZ!!!
shaun michaels
Incredible I've always loved rose tattoo great song. Nothing better than Australian rock n roll it's the best. The easybeats,acdc,rose tattoo, Stevie wright, Dave Evans I'll stop there but I could go on lol. I'm glad angry and the boys r still doing it thanks for sharing this
elwulfo666
with bands like rose tattoo and ac/dc every australian should be proud to be australian
dynamodayak ngieng
Yeahhh mate makes me wish I'm Australian too. AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Baby Animals, Silverchair, The Vines, Airbourne and many more🤘😎
Master AGN
Nah, that is my Gen the modern Australians are soft c’s. I worked on waterfront in the 80’s coppers shart their trousers if they had walk in into one pubs. Now look at them.
Ryan Roma
Yeah mate You forgot the angels too
Matt Barbarich
Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs , and Buffalo where the first heavy , loud rebels , opened the doors for everyone else afterwards Inc AC/DC.