I'M A MAN
Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had something in my pocket
Keep a lot of folks alive
Now I'm a man, I'm age twenty-one
You know baby, we can have a lotta fun
I'm a man, I spell, M A N
Man
All you pretty women, stand in line
I can make love to you baby, in an hour's time
I'm a man, spelled M A N
Man
I'm going back down to Kansas
To bring back the second cousin
Little John, the conqueroo
I'm a man, spelled M A N
Man
The line I shoot will never miss
The way I make love to 'em, they can't resist
I'm a man, I spell M A N
Man
The song "I'm a Man" was originally written and recorded by Bo Diddley. The lyrics, "Now when I was a little boy 'bout the age of five, I had something in my pocket, keep a lot of folks alive" refer to Bo Diddley's signature rectangular guitar, which he invented when he was a child. He later used this guitar on many of his recordings, and it became a symbol of his unique style.
The song is about the transition from boyhood to manhood, and the confident assertion of masculinity that comes with it. The verses boast about the singer's sexual prowess and appeal to women, as well as his skill as a marksman. The line, "I'm going back down to Kansas, to bring back the second cousin, little John, the conqueroo" refers to a folk tale about a supernatural creature who could dominate wild animals and women.
The lyrics of "I'm a Man" have been interpreted in many different ways over the years. Some see the song as a celebration of male power and sexual dominance, while others view it as a critique of toxic masculinity. Regardless of the interpretation, the song remains a classic example of early rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when I was a little boy 'bout the age of five
As a young, innocent boy of five years old
I had something in my pocket
I possessed something valuable and essential
Keep a lot of folks alive
Which sustained and supported many individuals
Now I'm a man, I'm age twenty-one
Now, having matured into a grown man at the age of twenty-one
You know baby, we can have a lotta fun
I am capable of having an enjoyable time with women
I'm a man, I spell, M A N
I am a manful, virile man and I can spell the word “man”
All you pretty women, stand in line
Every attractive female should prepare to wait her turn to be with me
I can make love to you baby, in an hour's time
I am skilled enough to initiate intercourse with any woman within a mere sixty minutes
I'm going back down to Kansas
I am returning to Kansas
To bring back the second cousin
To retrieve my second cousin
Little John, the conqueroo
A person with an identifier of Little John, referred to as the conqueroo
The line I shoot will never miss
I am proficient with a firearm, and my aim is always accurate
The way I make love to 'em, they can't resist
The way I engage in carnal relations, they are unable to resist my charm
I'm a man, I spell M A N
I am a potent, potent man and I am able to spell the word “man”
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELLAS MCDANIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind