'Cause I'm A Man – English Lyrics

• By: Tame Impala
• Album: The Slow Rush

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

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 that 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?

(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 (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)

...

Key Grammar Structures

• What have I done?

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ Used here to express an action that started in the past and has a result in the present.

• Saying sorry ain't as good as saying why

  ➔ Gerunds as Subjects / Comparative structures

  ➔ "Saying" functions as a noun (subject), while "as...as" is used for equality comparisons.

• Each fuck up that I make that makes you cry

  ➔ Relative Clauses

  ➔ "That I make" and "that makes you cry" define the noun "fuck up".

• Don't always think before I do

  ➔ Imperative / Implicit Subject

  ➔ The subject "I" is understood in this colloquial structure.

• I'm as pathetic, as the reason why

  ➔ Comparative adjective construction

  ➔ Using "as + adjective + as" to highlight the intensity of being "pathetic".

• I am aware I'm not in control

  ➔ Subordinate Clause (Object clause)

  ➔ The clause "I'm not in control" acts as the object of "aware".

• But it's prone to be overruled

  ➔ Passive Voice

  ➔ The subject receives the action of being "overruled".

• I'll never be as strong as you

  ➔ Future Simple / Comparison

  ➔ "Will be" expresses future state, used with a comparison of equality.