Man – English Lyrics

• By: Blondshell
• Album: If You Asked For A Picture

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw, honest lyricism of Blondshell's "Man" to explore themes of navigating difficult power dynamics in relationships from a young age. The song's muscular production and intense emotional core make it a compelling entry point to understanding the nuanced storytelling in modern alt-rock.

[English]

It's nice that I got a couple things from you

A lot of wiggle room

With prescription Adderall

It's nice what I got

I didn't get deposed

And now I suppose that I needed the world from just one man

I needed a lot from you

I got a lot of free rein

And cocaine

And pretty clothes

And shifty goals

But I needed the world from you

The world, I needed a lot from you

It's nice what you said

But it didn't carry weight

It always stayed the same

With spinning bedroom walls

And I did the math

And you had better plans

You had waiting cabs

I needed the world from just one man

I needed a lot from just one, just one, just one man

I didn't want indifference, I wanted a medal

It started with a choke, and you called me the kettle

For getting upset

And getting aggressive

But he was 28 and off of the handle

I was a kid wanting to cancel

Instead of unfolding

And bringing home a man

I got a lot of free rein

And ashamed

And pretty clothes

And shifty goals

But I needed the world from you

The world, I needed a lot from you

A lot from just one man

I needed a lot from just one, just one, just one man

I needed a lot from you, a lot from you

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
prescription /prɪˈskrɪpʃən/ B2	noun - an instruction from a doctor for the preparation and use of a medicine
Adderall /əˈdɛrəl/ C1	noun - a brand name for a prescription stimulant containing amphetamine salts
deposed /dɪˈpoʊzd/ C1	verb - to remove from office or power
suppose /səˈpoʊz/ B2	verb - to assume something is true without proof
rein /reɪn/ B2	noun - a strap used to control a horse, or metaphorically, control over something
cocaine /ˈkoʊkeɪn/ B2	noun - a powerful stimulant drug derived from coca leaves
shifty /ˈʃɪfti/ C1	adjective - appearing deceitful or untrustworthy
indifference /ɪnˈdɪfərəns/ B2	noun - lack of interest, concern, or sympathy
aggressive /əˈɡrɛsɪv/ B2	adjective - ready or likely to attack or confront
medal /ˈmɛdəl/ B1	noun - a metal disc awarded for achievement
spinning /ˈspɪnɪŋ/ B1	verb - to turn around quickly on an axis
bedroom /ˈbɛdruːm/ A2	noun - a room used for sleeping
math /mæθ/ A2	noun - short for mathematics; the abstract science of number, quantity, and space
cabs /kæbz/ B1	noun - short for taxicabs; vehicles for hire
kettle /ˈkɛtəl/ B2	noun - a container for boiling water, often used for making tea
cancel /ˈkænsəl/ B1	verb - to decide that something will not happen after it was planned
unfolding /ʌnˈfoʊldɪŋ/ C1	noun - the process of opening or developing gradually

Key Grammar Structures

• It's nice that I got a couple things from you

  ➔ Subjunctive clause introduced by 'that'

  ➔ The 'that' introduces a clause expressing a subjective opinion about receiving things. The structure 'It's nice *that*...' is common for expressing appreciation or observation about a fact.

• I didn't get deposed

  ➔ Past simple passive voice

  ➔ The verb 'depose' is in the passive voice ('be + past participle'). This means the subject ('I') *received* the action, rather than *performing* it. It implies she wasn't legally questioned.

• I needed a lot from just one man

  ➔ Use of 'just' as an intensifier

  ➔ The word 'just' here doesn't mean 'only', but rather emphasizes the *extent* of her need. She needed a *significant* amount from one person.

• It always stayed the same

  ➔ Simple past tense with stative verb

  ➔ 'Stayed' is a stative verb, describing a state of being rather than an action. It indicates a continuous, unchanging condition.

• You had better plans

  ➔ Past tense with comparative adjective implied

  ➔ The phrase implies that the 'plans' the other person had were *superior* to what was offered to the speaker. 'Better' is a comparative adjective, even though it's not explicitly comparing two things.