The Ballad of a Ladyman
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics

Eye cream and thigh cream
The singer is suggesting that products like eye cream and thigh cream can’t alleviate the feelings of being used.

how 'bout a get high cream?
The singer is suggesting the use of drugs to lift their mood.

Nothing I do smoothes out the feelings
The singer is emphasizing on how no matter what they do, they can’t smooth out the feelings of being used.

of being used
The artist is referring to the feeling of being exploited or taken advantage of.

The Ballad of a Ladyman
The song is about the struggles and hardships of a female artist in the male-dominated rock industry.

Freak that I am
The singer is acknowledging their uniqueness and non-conformity with society.

Live in Japan
The singer is referencing their experience of living in Japan, which could have been a major influence on their music.

Let's rock with the tough girls
The artist is inviting tough girls to join them in their music and break gender barriers.

in this part of the world
The artist is referring to the music scene in the region where they currently reside, where there may be few female rock artists.

Take a photograph
The artist is suggesting taking a photograph to capture the essence of a ladyman, a female artist in a male-dominated industry.

Portrait of a Ladyman
The singer is referring to the portrait of the ladyman, the image of a female artist making strides in a male-dominated rock industry.

They say I've gone too far
The artist is referencing criticisms they face for being too unconventional or daring.

with the image I've got and
The singer is acknowledging their image, which may not conform to traditional standards of femininity in the music industry.

they know I'd make a mint
The singer is referring to how their music may be profitable or successful despite criticisms of their image and style.

with new plastic skin
The singer is referring to plastic surgery as a way to enhance their image and become more marketable.

and a hit on the radio!
The artist is suggesting that with a hit song on the radio, they could achieve mainstream success despite being unconventional.

Oh, temptations of a ladyman
The artist is referencing the temptations faced by female artists in the music industry to conform to traditional standards of femininity and marketability.

I could be demure like
The singer is referring to the expectation for women to be soft-spoken and submissive.

girls who are soft
The singer is referring to women who conform to traditional standards of femininity.

for boys who are fearful of
The artist is referencing the expectation for women to cater to men's fears and insecurities.

getting an earful
The artist is referencing men's fear of women speaking their minds and being assertive.

but I gotta rock!
The artist is emphasizing their determination to pursue their music despite societal expectations.

I'd rather be a ladyman
The singer is saying that they prefer being a non-conforming female artist than conforming to society's expectations of femininity.

How many times will you decide
The artist is questioning how many times others will decide what they should do or how they should behave.

how many lives will you define
The singer is questioning how many lives others will decide to define.

how much control should we give up of our lives
The singer is questioning how much control they should give up over their own lives to fit into societal expectations.

(You sit at home with an alibi
The singer is referencing those who sit at home making excuses instead of pursuing their dreams.

in case they call and ask you
The artist is referencing being called out for not pursuing one's dreams or conforming to societal expectations.

why all you do is go
The artist is referring to those who react with shock or surprise when someone chooses to pursue a non-traditional path.

"ooh ahh ohh"
The singer is mimicking the sound of a shocked or surprised reaction.

you're out of control but saying
The singer is referencing those who criticize others for not conforming to traditional norms, despite lacking control in their own lives.

"ooh ahh ooh")
The artist is again mimicking the sound of a shocked or surprised reaction.

Ballad of a Ladyman
The title of the song is repeated to emphasize the central theme of the struggles and hardships faced by female artists in the rock industry.