I'M A MAN
Sham 69 Lyrics


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Do you ever wonder to yourself
If you're a man or a boy
I sometimes wonder
But then again I don't really care
'cause I know what I am
That's the way I want to stay

I'm a man I'm a boy
I'm a man I'm a boy
I don't really give a damn
I don't care what I am

Looking in the mirror saying who are you
Looking in the mirror thinking what to do
What to do
What to do

I'm a man I'm a boy
I'm a man I'm a boy
I don't really give a damn
I don't care what I am

Everyone keeps saying who are you
Who am I who are you
Who am I
I am you

I'm a man I'm a boy
I'm a man I'm a boy
I don't really give a damn
I don't care what I am

Nobody really cares who you are
Nobody cares who you are
Who you are
Who you are

I'm a man I'm a boy
I'm a man I'm a boy
I don't really give a damn




I don't care what I am
I don't know what I am

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sham 69's "I'm A Man" are introspective and contemplative in nature, exploring the idea of one's identity and whether they identify as a man or a boy. The song opens with the singer asking the listener if they've ever wondered whether they're a man or a boy, suggesting that the question of one's identity is a universal one. However, the singer also admits that they don't really care about the answer, because they already know what they are and want to stay that way.


The repetition of the line "I'm a man, I'm a boy" throughout the song can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be seen as the singer trying to reconcile their conflicting feelings of masculinity and immaturity, or perhaps as a way of asserting their identity in the face of societal expectations. The lines "Looking in the mirror saying who are you / Looking in the mirror thinking what to do" add to this sense of self-examination and uncertainty.


Despite the singer's initial apathy towards the question of their identity, the song ends on a somewhat existential note. The repeated line "Nobody really cares who you are" can be seen as a commentary on society's tendency to prioritize superficial qualities over genuine human connection. The final line, "I don't know what I am," further emphasizes the singer's introspection and self-doubt.


Overall, "I'm A Man" is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and self-doubt that encourages listeners to reflect on their own sense of self.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you ever wonder to yourself
Have you ever questioned your true identity?


If you're a man or a boy
Whether you are fully grown or still developing?


I sometimes wonder
Occasionally I ponder this.


But then again I don't really care
But in the end, I don't attach much importance to it.


'cause I know what I am
Because I am confident about myself.


That's the way I want to stay
And I intend to remain that way.


Looking in the mirror saying who are you
Gazing in the mirror questioning yourself.


Looking in the mirror thinking what to do
Contemplating a proper course of action.


What to do
How to proceed from here.


Everyone keeps saying who are you
People keep asking about your identity.


Who am I who are you
Who are we really?


I am you
We are all human and fundamentally the same.


Nobody really cares who you are
At the end of the day, nobody is really concerned about who you are.


Who you are
Your identity is not important.


I don't know what I am
I cannot fully define myself in concrete terms.


I'm a man I'm a boy
I am both mature and immature in different ways.


I don't really give a damn
I do not really care about social constructs defining me.


I don't care what I am
My identity is not as significant as my character and values.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Sekten Tankesmedjan

GIVE US THE WHOLE ALBUM !! THE LIVE SIDE IS KILLING !!!!

ian whitehead

Great sham album, Studio side & a live side.

L. Salisbury

This was the ONLY Sham 69 LP to receive a USA release (Sire Records- the Ramones' label). It was not successful. Us Yanks just didn't get it! Too bad, since this prevented their other LPs from being released here except as imports. (Their 3rd, "Hersham Boys" is one of my favorite albums of the period.)

Hasio Sznup

Last time I heard this song in 1988. It's great. It's was my  punky childhood.

Gasu Trías

😍

teriakamoto

you don't have to be anything but who you are,who you are.......do you care?

teriakamoto

i sometimes wonder,even at 47!

suuperdoopur

JANIE U GOT 810 VIEWS!!!

Ben Sherman

Okay MummY LU MummY

M. Jones

oh ya!

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