Born and raised in San Diego, California, RuPaul later studied performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. He settled in New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.
RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.
RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).
RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States. For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022, and received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Are You Man Enough?
RuPaul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are ya man enough? Have I said enough ?
Are ya man enough? One question
I'm not no pollyanna
I got yo' femme fatale
My body is so damn slammin'
So, if you wanna step to this
You're gonna need, a lotta cheese and
A little bit of confidence
And oh, if you dare to answer this
It'll tell me all that I need to know
Is it yes, or no, it's a simple question
Are you man enough to be my man
Tell me what you got that I don't have, I'm a
W.O.M.A.N. - outside and in, I ask you again
If you're man enough to be my love
Then you know you gotta back it up, I'm a
W.O.M.A.N. - from head to toe, act like ya know
I been through, I been through the drama
Don't need to play those games
Still livin' at home wit' cha' mama
Don't make me call no names - (ta-daow)
And, if you wanna step to this
Ya betta be, the real thing
Cause I don't need, no young trainees
Yeah, if you dare to answer this
It'll tell me all that I need to know
Is it yes, or no, it's a, a simple question
RuPaul's song "Are You Man Enough?" is a bold and unapologetic proclamation of her expectations for a partner. The lyrics challenge potential lovers to prove their worthiness and prove that they are man enough to be with her. The opening lines of the song - "Are ya man enough? Have I said enough? Are ya man enough? One question" - set the tone for the entire song. RuPaul is confident in who she is and is not afraid to speak her mind. She acknowledges her physical beauty, but makes it clear that there is more to her than just looks.
Throughout the song, RuPaul asserts her independence and demands respect from those who would seek to be with her. She calls herself a "W.O.M.A.N." - strong, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind. She warns potential partners that she has been through drama before and is not interested in playing games. She challenges them to be the "man enough" that she is looking for, warning that only the "real thing" need apply.
Overall, "Are You Man Enough?" is an empowering anthem that celebrates femininity, strength, and independence. It challenges outdated gender roles and expectations, pushing listeners to question what it really means to be "man enough."
Line by Line Meaning
Are ya man enough? Have I said enough?
I am questioning whether you have what it takes to be with me. Have I been clear enough about my expectations?
Are ya man enough? One question
I'm asking you one simple question: do you have the qualities I'm looking for?
I'm not no pollyanna
I'm not naive or foolish and I won't fall for just anyone.
I got yo' femme fatale
I'm the type of woman who can steal your heart and break it, if you're not careful.
My body is so damn slammin'
I have an amazing, attractive body.
Sometimes I scare myself - (ta-daow)
I am so confident and powerful that even I am amazed by myself.
So, if you wanna step to this
If you want to approach me or try to be with me,
You're gonna need, a lotta cheese and
You will need to have a lot of money and be willing to spend it on me.
A little bit of confidence
You will also need to have some self-assurance and be confident in yourself.
And oh, if you dare to answer this
If you are brave enough to respond to my question,
It'll tell me all that I need to know
Your answer will reveal whether or not you possess the qualities I am looking for.
Is it yes, or no, it's a simple question
The question I am posing is straightforward: are you man enough to be with me or not?
Are you man enough to be my man
I am asking if you have what it takes to be my partner.
Tell me what you got that I don't have, I'm a
I want to know what you can offer me that I don't already have, because I am a high-quality woman.
W.O.M.A.N. - outside and in, I ask you again
I am a complete and well-rounded woman, both physically and emotionally, and I am asking you once more if you can handle me.
If you're man enough to be my love
If you possess the qualities I'm looking for and can be my partner,
Then you know you gotta back it up, I'm a
You will need to prove yourself and support me, because I am a high-quality woman.
W.O.M.A.N. - from head to toe, act like ya know
I am an exceptional woman in every aspect, and you need to recognize and act accordingly.
I been through, I been through the drama
I have experienced my fair share of chaos and heartbreak when it comes to relationships.
Don't need to play those games
I am not interested in playing games or dealing with unnecessary drama in my relationships.
Still livin' at home wit' cha' mama
I am not interested in dating someone who still lives with their parents.
Don't make me call no names - (ta-daow)
If you don't meet my standards, I won't hesitate to call you out on it.
Ya betta be, the real thing
You need to be genuine and authentic; I won't tolerate anyone who is fake or insincere.
Cause I don't need, no young trainees
I am not interested in being with someone who is inexperienced or immature.
Yeah, if you dare to answer this
If you are brave enough to respond to my question,
It'll tell me all that I need to know
Your answer will reveal whether or not you possess the qualities I am looking for.
Is it yes, or no, it's a, a simple question
The question I am posing is straightforward: are you man enough to be with me or not?
Contributed by Brooklyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.