There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Man are a blues… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Man are a blues/funk/classic rock outfit based in State College, Pennsylvania, USA.

2) The Man is an experimental/electro/fun band from Berlin, Germany.

3) The Man is a hip hop group from Wisconsin, USA.

4) The Man is a Side project of 100blumen featuring:

Band Members Dr. "Shoe" Beaver and Cheesy Beaver workin inside their beaver lodge to get world leadership! Influenced by: Manowar, David Hasselhof, Frank Drebin, Throbbing Gristle and beaverish sounds. Get ready for dancefloorhell motherfuckers, this is the beaverish answer to david hasselhof!

www.myspace.com/themanelectronica
http://www.le-petit-machiniste.org/

5) The Man is a synthband playing music similar to the likes of early Depeche Mode, S.P.O.C.K and others

6) Formed in 2012, THE MAN is a Japanese ska musical group led by Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra).

uptight
The Man Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can’t smile no I can’t talk
I would like myself to walk away from here
away from me

And when I begin to shake
There’s only one way to break the ice to dance the Uptight Dance

Though no romance has ever started with this dance

I don’t stop I won’t stop I can’t stop to

Mh Mh Mh

Uh I move like I am fueled
Uh ignoring all the rules of grace, embrace that shamelessness

Gazoline all over me,
Craziness is setting free
Dafuq?? - They say...
Is that the uptight dance?

Though no romance has ever started with this dance
I don’t stop I won’t stop I can’t stop to

Mh Mh Mh

I wiggle the jiggle
I am losing it
And wobble and I kick
Not giving a shit

I feel stupid
I feel nice
Mhhh - That’s the kind of mood I like

Mh Mh Mh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Uptight" by The Man depict a sense of inner turmoil and restlessness within the singer. The opening lines convey a sense of helplessness and inability to express oneself, with mentions of being unable to smile, talk, and a desire to walk away from the current situation. The repetition of "I can't stop" reflects a feeling of being trapped or overwhelmed by emotions.

The mention of shaking and breaking the ice to dance the "Uptight Dance" hints at a coping mechanism or release for the singer. It suggests that dancing serves as a way to let go of inhibitions and express oneself freely, despite any lack of romantic intentions associated with the dance.

The following verses delve into a sense of liberation and recklessness as the singer describes moving fueled by an unbridled energy, ignoring societal norms and embracing shamelessness. The references to gasoline and craziness evoke a sense of being consumed by wild abandon and possibly losing control.

The final lines of the song highlight a carefree attitude and a willingness to embrace the absurdity of the moment. The singer describes wiggling, jiggling, and not caring about appearances or societal expectations. The juxtaposition of feeling stupid yet nice, and enjoying the mood of the moment, encapsulates a sense of freedom and self-acceptance in the midst of chaos. Overall, the lyrics of "Uptight" delve into themes of inner conflict, release through movement, and the joy of embracing vulnerability and self-expression.

Line by Line Meaning

I can’t smile no I can’t talk
I am unable to put on a happy face or engage in conversation

I would like myself to walk away from here
I wish I could leave this situation behind

away from me
to distance myself from my current state of mind

And when I begin to shake
When I start to feel anxious or nervous

There’s only one way to break the ice to dance the Uptight Dance
The only way to release tension is to let loose and dance

Uh I move like I am fueled
I dance with a sense of energy and passion

Uh ignoring all the rules of grace, embrace that shamelessness
I let go of inhibitions and choose to be bold and shameless

Gazoline all over me
Feeling wild and out of control

Craziness is setting free
Letting go of sanity and embracing chaos

Dafuq?? - They say...
Expressing confusion and disbelief from others

Is that the uptight dance?
Questioning if the wild behavior is the uptight dance being referenced

I wiggle the jiggle
Moving and dancing freely

I am losing it
Becoming increasingly uninhibited

And wobble and I kick
Moving unsteadily with urgency

Not giving a shit
Not caring about consequences or judgment

I feel stupid
Feeling foolish or ridiculous

I feel nice
Despite feeling silly, enjoying the carefree moment

Mhhh - That’s the kind of mood I like
Embracing the liberating and enjoyable mood created by dancing wildy

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonia Rug, Maria Raykhman, NOVAA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Jeff-ie8sk

26w↑1

Bill I loved this song when it was first released,I hold it in my special memories today as I age.
Thank you so much!!! Your still the man in my book!!!Jeff

@Catallano1981

2y↑6

Man i loooove Bill. He made my childhood! And now i listen to his Songs

@RamonYanez-lr4tw

22w↑1

Fat Albert was my favorite cartoon saturday morning when I was about 8 years old. 😊

@veehill18

5y↑46

nobody was ever perfect. no matter what he's done wrong, it cannot erase the many things he 's done right.

@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854

4y↑3

I think the SAME way about Chris Benoit...

@Itsisawnotiseen

2y↑1

Same can be said about Pete Rose.

@kamuroshiryu8453

Same could even be said about Rolf Harris, Ian Watkins or Gary Glitter

@curly_wyn

24w

Besides this garbage cover.

@TheSpeedula

5y↑12

If you're at a bar and this song comes on and Billy Cosby eyes you from a table, fucking run.

@ilar926

2y↑4

I remember this recording. Had a copy of the 45 record.
I'll say this...what he did was obviously wrong and like many others today, the truth came to light and he paid with his freedom for a while and with his reputation. His talent, however, cannot be denied and his contributions to entertainment, the NBC network and the breaks he helped to give many young people also cannot be erased. I am just sad that his later years could not include public praises and thank you's for the many positive things. The even sadder part is that if it was all about having many women, like many others, he did not even have to go through the lengths he did; I hate saying it but many would have offered whatever to him, anyway, for whatever reason. Some for help in their career and some just because he was a big star...jmo

@kevinmorris6309

4y↑12

This songs instrumentals are what push it over the top. Well done!

@steel90912

2y↑2

A top 10 hit In 1967. 💢

@gaylelund9287

4y↑7

first rap song ! probably the best one to date.

@randomanton

2y↑1

debatable

@lowdown4651

6y↑11

Things and people change but iv always dug this back way back when I was young.

@johnward8520

I digged it too!lol

@larryhinze8658

6y↑1

Uptight, outasight...and he is trying to get in your groove!

@joycejean-baptiste4355

3y↑3

Never heard this version before. The band sounds great.

@seansherrod8725

3y↑1

The band is Charles Wrightright and the 103rd Street band

@jimig.8811

Always has been one my favorites

@curly_wyn

24w

Yeah, the BAND definitely sounds good lol

@scottburton9701

7y↑16

This was played as an extra on the initial broadcast of "American Top 40" in July 1970-Great spoof of Stevie Wonder's 1966 hit "Uptight".

@danielauer9307

Good song! Uptight, Everything is Alright Bill!

@davidhugaert8006

4y↑2

During the many listens of the very first "American Top 40" show with Casey Kasem, this great parody/cover of Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" was played as an extra. When I listened to the 50th anniversary of the same "AT 40" show initially broadcast on July 4th, 1970 this past weekend, this song was replaced with "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones, proving that Bill Cosby was given the shaft by Premiere Radio Networks (who currently owns the AT 40 library). Bill Cosby did nothing wrong!!!

R.I.P., Casey Kasem & Don Bustany (with Don being the longtime producer of AT 40). :'( <3

@scottburton9701

@@davidhugaert8006 Last weekend,Premiere Networks reaired the very first "AT40" show from 7/4/70-Unfortunately,"Little Ole Man" was deleted from the broadcast-I'm sure that the fact that Bill Cosby is a convicted sex offender had something to do with it.

@davidhugaert8006

4y↑1

@@scottburton9701 That's the point I was attempting to drive home in my comment above - although I do believe in Dr. Cosby's innocence to this day. The 60 or so women's claims all sound too similar and are too far-fetched...thus, it's quite odd as to why these women waited upwards of 40-50 years to tell their sides of the story, seeing as how the statute of limitations of these claims ran out a long time ago.

Bravo, Bill Cosby, on such a great cover version of a song...I have the "Bill Cosby Sings" CD!!!

@scottburton9701

4y↑1

@@davidhugaert8006 I agree 100% with your comments-I guess Premiere Networks prides itself on providing family friendly entertainment & didn't feel comfortable playing that song.

@seansherrod8725

3y↑4

The band is the Charles Wright and the 103rd Street band

@jeanyvesscola3506

imparable vocal arrangement MERCI !!!!!!!!!

@robertthacher2660

One of the funniest!

@chrismcdonald8755

6y↑10

Today, the train ran over the little old man. And a tear trickled down his cheek. And he couldn't believe what happened.

Good luck Bill.

@russellcrawford7453

, do you think the black cell block he's on that they will try to smear his doo-doo? That's a horrible thought to think that would happen to someone his age oh, a little old man. But if you've ever been screwed over and not seen Justice oh, it's a wonderful thought, Bill Cosby walking around with a large intestine that's been so stretched you can't even keep his feces from tumbling out

@donaldsimms2625

4y↑4

This is actually hip hop spoken word with stevie wonder sample

@jg6698

2y↑1

WHAT TRAIN!! ❤

@The_DC_Kid

6y↑2

Until pretty recently I had forgotten that he actually won an Emmy in '67 (?) for his role on I Spy. What made me recall was watching a film clip of him walking down from his seat in the audience to accept the award. Strutting casually as he could in a dark blue velvet suit, and with big old sideburns and dark glasses. Looked pompous as all hell.

@lynnmiller3937

5y↑1

Excellent.

@homoerectussemenallyretent6638

5y↑4

The non chalance of this story use to crack me up..even at 12 yrs. old.

@Themaddprof

11w

That's what makes it so funny. In the same way that Adam West as Batman said the most absurd things with a straight face.

@richardranke7878

7y↑9

Bill Cosby was my favorite comedian for years. I love all the years of pleasure his records and TV shows gave me. Regardless of his current trial, I will always admire him...but not for everything.(Chuckle!)

@1980Triumph

6y↑2

Don't worry, there is literally no evidence against him. This conviction was a horrible injustice. I followed the case and those claims against him are all a joke.

@monoloco2314

6y↑1

he is in jail now

@davidhugaert8006

Don't worry, Dr. Cosby will be out soon. All those beeyotches have zero evidence against him. Bill needs to be at home with his family, and also to be entertaining in front of crowds once more.

Best wishes, Dr. Cosby...you'll be free soon!!!

@susangreene6105

3y↑2

He's getting released today.

@rcnelson

2y↑1

Better than Stevie Wonder's original, and that was good.

@w9x7cv3vg6

6y↑2

he is uptight on all the sueings !

@mikeburns9808

4y↑6

Wow! Nobody gets this! It's not comedy. It's all about the Black Rights Movement. In 1967 it seemed as though the problems of negros were not improving, and this song depicts the denial and resignation around it. "Why do you just sit out here? He said 'Yer a young man, ya got a lot to learn." (Cosby later acknowledged his grandfather in this) Reach Out was, of course, another black song of the time, also confronting the prevalent feeling of helplessness. It's a good version of Uptight, a slightly better groove than Stevie's original, with a crackling guitar part (wonder who that was?). Cosby also co-produced a great TV program "Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed" which was compelling and reliably factual. He did a lot of good before he strayed into sit-coms and became a parody of himself.

@vistalite

3y↑1

Who knew? I always thought this song was about slipping ruffies to women and then raping them.

@nealbfinn

Good comment. I was 12 when it hit and I didn't get it either....nor did any of the rest of us. It was just comedian Bill Cosby telling a joke over a Stevie Wonder song for a background. None of us got the "punch line." I remember watching his "Black History" documentary on CBS. Bill with his Afro hair and the sarcastic comment"This is a lot of fun, isn't it?" in reference to the degrading stereotypical treatment blacks received in movies. The album was recorded in LA on the Warner Brothers label so hard to say who the backup musicians were, although documentation probably exists somewhere. His first sitcom, "The Bill Cosby Show" ran Sunday evenings and lasted two seasons. I thought it was pretty good. Kind of a low-key approach with Cosby playing a high school PE coach Chet Kincaid. I don't recall any references to his race on the show. "Room 222" went more that direction. I remember the Crest toothpaste ads that ran on the show with Cosby playing the role of "Mr. Tooth Decay" ("You may think I'm Bill Cosby...but I'm really Mr. Tooth Decay")

@nealbfinn

3y↑1

And according to Wikipedia, it's the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band backing him up.

@eddielester3589

Thanks. I always wondered about the message in this song.Now I know.

@jeanyvesscola3506

GROSSE CAVALERIE bravo

@timothymoore3655

6y↑3

He's all right now.

@larryhinze2557

Except for the prison sore ass...

@JohnSmith-mx8wp

@Larry His cellmate Bubba's manhood is uptight, outtasight. kek

@marcocuria3516

"Le prime donne stuprate da Bill cosbyyyyy" semi cit.

@schlesmail1

5y↑3

Original version of "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" by Stevie Wonder (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbyOLzEyfk .

@timholt9948

4y↑2

Top five hit v

@michaelm7116

5y↑1

why is air?

@Fleezy81

2y↑2

If you watched the Cosby Show, the Stevie Wonder episode, you will hear Stevie reference "Little Ole Man" in the studio.

@ilar926

Yes, I caught the reference right away.

@stanbaucom3464

6y↑1

How is the guitar playiler?

@larryhinze8024

HUH?

@VincentDotZip

Uh oh

@dcid3348

3y↑2

Mr Cosby, reach out take my hand! You are FREE to go!

@larryd6936

8y↑9

He is uptight...and it AIN'T all right.

@waynemuldrow4066

He's "upstate" now.....

@larryhinze2557

@@waynemuldrow4066 He isn't high. He got DEM BEYOTCHES high. lol

@patricialambert3110

5y↑1

Little old man--winds up in prison

@cantalope67

6y↑2

The name of the song should be changed to a little lonely man

@robertthacher2660

He didn't sing badly!

@MrAlbalto

Damn........that’s four minutes of my life wasted!

@curly_wyn

24w

This song is the second-worst thing Bill Cosby has ever done.

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