I'M A MAN
The Yardbirds / Jeff Beck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing in line
Make love to you, baby
In an hour's time
Now I'm a man
I spell M-A-N, ooh
Will never miss
Make love to you, baby
You can't resist
Now I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Man
Goin' back down
To Kansas too
Bring back a little girl
Just like you
Now I'm a man
I spell M-A-N
Man
The lyrics to The Yardbirds' song "I'm A Man" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the song is about male sexual power and confidence. The singer of the song boasts about his ability to seduce women and satisfy them sexually, using his manhood as a symbol of his prowess. The repetition of the spelling of "M-A-N" emphasizes the singer's masculinity, while the references to going to Kansas and bringing back a girl like the one in line suggest that he sees women as interchangeable objects to be conquered.
The chorus of the song, "Now I'm a man," can be seen as a declaration of the singer's maturity and self-importance, although it may also suggest a certain insecurity or desire for validation. The line "The line I shoot will never miss" could be interpreted as a reference to the singer's sexual prowess, but it could also be seen as a metaphor for his ability to achieve his goals more generally.
Overall, "I'm a Man" is a song that celebrates masculine power and confidence, but it also reveals some of the anxieties and doubts that can underlie such bravado.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you pretty women
Addressing a group of attractive women
Standing in line
The women are all waiting patiently
Make love to you, baby
Expressing a desire to engage in sexual activity
In an hour's time
Implying confidence in ability to please
Now I'm a man
Asserting masculinity
I spell M-A-N, ooh
Confirming the spelling of 'man', perhaps to emphasize it
The line I shoot
Referring to his pick-up lines and flirting techniques
Will never miss
Confident in the effectiveness of his methods
Make love to you, baby
Repeating the desire for sexual activity
You can't resist
Implying that the women are powerless to his charms
Now I'm a man
Reinforcing his masculinity
I spell M-A-N
Reiterating the spelling of 'man'
Man
Final confirmation of his identity and masculinity
Goin' back down
Returning to a previous location
To Kansas too
Specifically to Kansas
Bring back a little girl
Referring to another woman he intends to woo
Just like you
Comparing the new woman to the ones he is currently addressing
Now I'm a man
Concluding the song with a final assertion of masculinity
I spell M-A-N
Repeating the assertion
Man
Final confirmation
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
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