'Cause I'm A Man
Tame Impala Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Like the brutal morning sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fuck up that I make, it makes you cry
I'm as pathetic, as the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why



'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you (uh)
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to

Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know why I always think I'm right? (Ooh, why?)
You never accept defeat and let it slide (why? Why?)
I have no voice if I don't speak my mind (why?)
My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why

'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you (uh)
'Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you

I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to (uh)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tame Impala's song 'Cause I'm A Man' touch upon themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and the complexities of gender roles. The lead singer contemplates his actions and mistakes, pondering the consequences of his actions, and striving to make amends. The lyrics are bursting with self-awareness and honesty as the narrator realizes his limitations and flaws.


The opening line "Like the brutal morning sun, it dawns on me, what have I done?" sets the tone for the whole song. The imagery of the morning sun is often associated with the beginning of a new day and a fresh start. However, the "brutal" signifier suggests that the narrator is not ready to face the reality of his previous actions. He is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, which he admits to, and apologizes for, but he does not understand the root cause of his behavior.


The chorus, "Cause I'm a man, woman, don't always think before I do," emphasizes the gender stereotype that men are quick to act without thinking things through. The use of the word "woman" after "man" could be interpreted as a nod to the fact that gender is a social construct, and that gender does not necessarily determine a person's behavior or thought process.


Line by Line Meaning

Like the brutal morning sun
The truth is hitting me hard and has left me with a sense of guilt and regret


It dawns on me, what have I done?
I am finally realizing the consequences of my actions


Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
Just apologizing is not enough, I need to explain why I did what I did


But it buys me a little more time
Apologizing gives me an extra chance to make things right


Lost in the moment for the second time
I am repeating my mistake, despite knowing better


Each fuck up that I make, it makes you cry
I am hurting the person I care about every time I mess up


I'm as pathetic, as the reason why
I acknowledge that what I did was terrible and I am ashamed of myself


In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why
You want to know why I keep making these mistakes


'Cause I'm a man, woman
The fact that I am male does not excuse my behavior


Don't always think before I do
I often act impulsively and without considering the consequences


That's the only answer I've got for you (uh)
I don't have an excuse for my actions other than being a man and lacking self-control


Not often proud of what I choose
I am ashamed of my behavior and wish I had made better choices


I'm a human, woman
I am not perfect and make mistakes, regardless of gender


A greater force I answer to
I have a higher power to answer to, and I know I must do better


Once again, as it takes a hold
I am falling back into old habits


I am aware I'm not in control
I know that I need to take responsibility for my actions and make better choices


You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
I know right from wrong, but still choose to do what I want


But it's prone to be overruled
Despite knowing what's right, I still give in to temptation and make poor choices


You wanna know why I always think I'm right? (Ooh, why?)
I have a hard time admitting when I am wrong


You never accept defeat and let it slide (why? Why?)
You hold me accountable for my actions and don't let me off the hook


I have no voice if I don't speak my mind (why?)
I feel the need to prove myself and express my opinions, even at the cost of others


My weakness is the source of all my pride
I take pride in things that are actually my weaknesses


I'll tell you why
I am ready to admit my faults and take responsibility for my actions


I'll never be as strong as you
I recognize that you are the stronger person in our relationship and I need to do better


I'm a human, human
I am flawed and make mistakes like any other person


A greater force I answer to (uh)
I am accountable to a higher power and must make better choices




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Parker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Connor Haynes

Like a brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for a second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
It's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to
Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware, I'm not in control
(You see) I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to being overruled
You wanna know what I always think I'm bind by
You never accept defeat or let it slide
But I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



Alexander k

[Verse 1]
Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why

[Chorus]
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to


[Verse 2]
Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know why I always think I’m right?
(Why?) I can never accept defeat and let it slide
(Why?) I have no voice if I don’t speak my mind
(Why?) My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why


[Chorus]
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



EvilArt

Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to
Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know why I always think I'm right?
(Why?)
Can never accept defeat and let it slide
(Why?)
I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
(Why?)
My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



Evets366

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Like the brutal morning sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why

[Chorus]
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to

[Verse 2]
Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know why I always think I’m right?
(Why?) You never accept defeat and let it slide
(Why?) I have no voice if I don’t speak my mind
(Why?) My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why

[Chorus]
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
‘Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



joz hdz

Lyric

Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time

Lost in the moment for the second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why

'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to

Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled

You wanna know why I always think I'm right?
(Why?)
Can never accept defeat and let it slide
(Why?)
I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
(Why?)
My weakness is the source of all my pride
I'll tell you why

'Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
'Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
'Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



Aldrian Jihaddillah

I just want to watch it with the lyric
Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for a second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why

Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to

Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know what I always think I'm bind by
You never accept defeat or let it slide
But I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
My weakness is the source of all my pride, I'll tell you why

Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



Fran Tini

Now you can sing :)

Like the brutal autumn sun
It dawns on me, what have I done?
Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why
But it buys me a little more time
Lost in the moment for a second time
Each fucking doubt I make, unleash a cry
I'm just pathetic, that's the reason why
In desperation, all that you can do is ask me why

Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
Cause I'm a man, woman
Not often proud of what I choose
I'm a human, woman
A greater force I answer to

Once again, as it takes a hold
I am aware I'm not in control
You see, I have a conscience and it's never fooled
But it's prone to be overruled
You wanna know what I always think I'm bind by
You never accept defeat or let it slide
But I have no voice if I don't speak my mind
My weakness is the source of all my pride, I'll tell you why

Cause I'm a man, woman
Don't always think before I do
Cause I'm a man, woman
That's the only answer I've got for you
Cause I'm a man, woman
I'll never be as strong as you
I'm a human, human
A greater force I answer to



All comments from YouTube:

Emma

wish I could hear this song for the first time again

Wojciech Se

haha I thought the same

Samsung A

Я тот самый человек

YDLM

First time today and it's lit

Bennintate

Today i heard it for the first time, it was like a drug to my ears.

Lemmy Kilmister

Oh i just did

33 More Replies...

Ian Anderson

My brother and I literally have a word to describe the feeling you get when you listen to music like this: buttered

Yodel Odelstein

Top 10 all time YT comment.

Tekk Zilla

@Esteban Torres as in Babylonian baal?

Tekk Zilla

@kimeiga which THE? Like world series champion pitcher for THE Atlanta Braves, Ian Anderson...

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