Man From The Magazine – English Lyrics

• By: HAIM

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into HAIM's "Man From The Magazine," a raw and honest folk tune that powerfully articulates the frustrations of gender inequality in the music industry. Through its poignant lyrics, you can explore English vocabulary related to social commentary, emotional expression, and personal resilience, all while experiencing how the band masterfully uses simple yet impactful language to convey a universal message of standing up against sexism. This song is special for its directness and its ability to turn frustrating real-life experiences into a compelling and relatable artistic statement.

[English]

(crowd murmuring)

- Hi, what can I get you?

- [Man At The Counter] May I order a pound of brisket,

a pound of turkey, a pound of sausage,

a matzah ball soup.

- ♪ Man from the magazine, - [Man] Pickles. ♪

- ♪ what did you say? - [Man] Lox. Muenster Cheese. ♪

- ♪ Did you make the same faces ♪

- [Man] Pound of corned beef.

- ♪ He made? ♪

- [Man] Pound of sauce with that.

- ♪ Hey man, what kind of question is that? ♪

♪ What did you really want me to say back? ♪

♪ What's going on behind those dark glasses? ♪

♪ Is this what you think making a pass is? ♪

♪ Wondering which door could get me out fastest? ♪

- When I tell it now,

♪ I don't want hear "It is what it is, ♪

♪ It was what it was". ♪

♪ Don't wanna hear "It is what it is, ♪

♪ It was what it was" ♪

♪ You don't know how it feels. ♪

♪ You expect me to deal with it til I'm perfectly numb. ♪

♪ But you don't know how it feels. ♪

- Here you go.

- [Man] Thank you.

- Yep?

- [Man 2] Can I get a half pound of Pastrami please?

♪ Man from the music shop, I drove too far ♪

- [Man 2] And a quarter pound of, uh, turkey

♪ For you to hand me that starter guitar. ♪

- [Man 2] And, uh, one of those- one of those jars of olives

♪ Hey, girl, why don't you play a few bars ♪

- [Man 2] And a quarter pound of salami

♪ What's left to prove? ♪

- [Man 2] And salt-water pickles please.

♪ I don't want to hear "It is what it is, ♪

♪ It was what it was." ♪

- [Man 2] Hawaiian fish

♪ Don't let me hear "It is what it is, ♪

- [Man 2] Some crackers,

♪ It was what it was." ♪

- [Man 2] I'll do a half pound of-

♪ You don't know how it feels, ♪

♪ You expect me to deal with it, til I'm perfectly numb. ♪

- [Man 2] And get me one of those cakey-looking things.

♪ You don't know how it feels. ♪

♪ You'll know how it feels. ♪

♪ Know how it feels. ♪

- To be the cut.

- Here you go. Next!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human
pound /paʊnd/ A2	noun - a unit of weight
magazine /ˌmæɡəˈziːn/ B1	noun - a publication, usually a periodical publication, containing articles and illustrations
say /seɪ/ A1	verb - to utter words to convey information, an opinion, a feeling, or a command
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of a person's head, from the forehead to the chin verb - to deal with or accept (something difficult or unpleasant).
question /ˈkwestʃən/ A1	noun - a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information.
glasses /ˈɡlæsɪz/ A1	noun - spectacles
pass /pæs/ B1	noun - an attempt to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, or vehicle, or in a cabinet.
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to feel a need or desire for; wish to have.
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to be aware of (a physical sensation) through touch.
numb /nʌm/ B2	adjective - deprived of the power of movement or sensation
shop /ʃɒp/ A1	noun - a building or part of a building where goods or services are sold.
guitar /ɡɪˈtɑːr/ A2	noun - a stringed musical instrument with a fretted fingerboard, typically with six strings.
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman.
prove /pruːv/ B1	verb - demonstrate the truth or existence of (something) by evidence or argument.
dark /dɑːrk/ A2	adjective - with little or no light.