Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Be a Man
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bustin' ass all day
Just to put food on the table.
And I always will for as long as I am able.
Done all I could,
Ev'rything that a man should do.
Still they refuse to call me,
Do you know what it takes to be a man?
Don't take a whole lots of money,
Diamond rings upon your hand, no.
That ain't what it takes to be a man.
Do right by the ones you love,
Always give a helpin' hand. Yes, I do.
Now I've been through it all
Seen the good, the bad, the ugly.
Always take care of my share of responsibilities.
Now, just because I grow my hair
And play in a rockin' band,
Old folks are always telling me,
"Boy, why don't you grow up
And be a man." Hey!
I know what it takes to be a man.
It ain't the way you look
Or the clothes that you wear.
That ain't what it takes to be a man.
Do right by the ones you love,
Always lend a helpin' hand.
I know I got what it takes,
I know I got what it takes to be a man.
So go ahead and say what you will.
Because I know what I am,
Just what I am. Ow!
Alright. Ow! Hey!
I know what it takes to be a man.
I've got what it takes
And you know I know what I am.
I know what it takes to be a man.
So go ahead, say what you will
'Cause I know what I am.
I'm a man.
Hoo hoo hoo hoo. I'm a man.
I know I got what it takes,
I know I got what it takes, ow!
In the lyrics of the Tesla song "Be A Man," the singer speaks about the struggles of being a man in a society that has distinct notions of masculinity. The song appears to focus on the idea that society portrays a man as having to fit a certain mold to be considered a 'man,' and anything outside of that is disregarded. The singer is tired of being judged by his appearance and societal expectations and believes that being a man has more to do with doing right by the people you love, being responsible and being able to provide for them.
The song further elicits the idea that becoming a 'man' takes doing the right things for the right people, and this leads to positive lifetime experiences. The singer hints that he has been through it all, seen the good and bad, but as long as he does right by the people he loves, that is what makes him a man. Moreover, he highlights the importance of being oneself and not letting other people's preconceptions dictate who you are.
In summary, Tesla's "Be A Man" is a song about society's standards of what constitutes a 'man' and how the singer is tired of being judged and wants to break free from traditional norms and expectations. The song promotes the idea that doing right by the people you love, showing responsibility and being independent, are what genuinely make a man.
Line by Line Meaning
Bustin' ass all day
Working hard all day
Just to put food on the table.
Working to provide for himself and his family.
And I always will for as long as I am able.
He will continue working hard as long as he is physically able.
Done all I could,
He has done everything he can.
Ev'rything that a man should do.
He has done everything a man is expected to do.
Still they refuse to call me,
Others don't recognize his efforts.
Call me what I am. Hey!
Acknowledge him for being a hard worker.
Don't take a whole lots of money,
Being a man doesn't require having lots of money.
Diamond rings upon your hand, no.
Having material possessions doesn't define a man.
Do right by the ones you love,
Treating loved ones well is an important part of being a man.
Always give a helpin' hand. Yes, I do.
Being helpful to others is part of his nature and being a man.
Always take care of my share of responsibilities.
He ensures he is responsible for his share of the work.
Now, just because I grow my hair
His appearance doesn't define him.
And play in a rockin' band,
His interests don't define him.
Old folks are always telling me,
Elderly people judge him for his behavior.
"Boy, why don't you grow up
Others think he still has a lot to learn.
It ain't the way you look
Looks don't define manhood.
Or the clothes that you wear.
Wearing expensive clothes isn't necessary for manhood.
I've got what it takes
He is confident in his abilities.
And you know I know what I am.
He knows what kind of man he is.
I'm a man.
He is confident in his masculinity.
Hoo hoo hoo hoo. I'm a man.
He is proud to be a man.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK HANNON, JEFF KEITH, TOM SKEOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!