Man I Am
SOiL Lyrics


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Why you build me up
Just to tear me down
Like a little used soul
Pitches straight to the ground
In this game
There's something I strive to be yet
I always fall in my shame
If you allow it in
Then the trip never ends
And what really could have been
In this life
There's something I've tried to be yet
It's fallen right out of reach

So you picked me up
On my feet again
And then again I'm the man I am
So you picked me up
On my feet again
Lost inside is the man I am

Time and lines again
I've tried so hard to be a man
Yet the pride slips through my hands





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Man I Am" by SOiL speak to the struggle of trying to maintain one's identity and dignity in a world that seems determined to tear them down. The opening lines describe the feeling of being built up, only to be brought down again, like a "little used soul" that is discarded and left to plummet to the ground. The singer reflects on the struggle to be something more, to aspire to greatness, but always falling short and feeling ashamed.


The second verse delves deeper into this struggle, as the singer reflects on the idea that if you let negativity into your life, it will never end, and the potential for greatness will slip away. The desire to be more remains just out of reach, a tantalizing but ultimately unattainable goal. But despite this struggle, there is hope, as the chorus declares that even though the singer may fall, they will always pick themselves up again, and remain the "man I am."


Overall, the lyrics of "Man I Am" speak to the human experience of striving for greatness and struggling to maintain one's identity in a world that often seems determined to tear us down. It is a song of hope and perseverance, an anthem for anyone who has ever felt lost or alone.


Line by Line Meaning

Why you build me up
Asking why someone is raising false expectations and hopes.


Just to tear me down
Why someone is sabotaging their efforts and knocking them down.


Like a little used soul
Feeling worthless and abandoned, like a discarded object.


Pitches straight to the ground
Thrown away with no thought or remorse.


In this game
Referring to life and its challenges.


There's something I strive to be yet
Desiring to be someone or something better.


I always fall in my shame
Constantly failing and feeling guilty or embarrassed.


If you allow it in
If you let yourself be vulnerable or open up to others.


Then the trip never ends
The difficult journey never stops or gets easier.


And what really could have been
Wondering what might have happened if things had been different.


In this life
Referring again to the challenges of life.


There's something I've tried to be yet
Still striving for something better.


It's fallen right out of reach
Unable to attain the desired goal or change.


So you picked me up
Someone offering support and encouragement.


On my feet again
Helping someone regain strength and confidence.


And then again I'm the man I am
Reevaluating and accepting oneself, despite imperfections.


Lost inside is the man I am
Feeling like a part of oneself is still missing or incomplete.


Time and lines again
Repeatedly facing the same struggles or patterns.


I've tried so hard to be a man
Striving to achieve an ideal version of oneself, whether masculine or not.


Yet the pride slips through my hands
Losing confidence or self-esteem despite efforts to maintain it.


[Chorus]
Refraining from repeating the chorus.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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