Never Fight a Man With a Perm

Idles' 'Never Fight a Man With a Perm' is a raucous and energetic track that delves into themes of masculinity, violence, and societal expectations. The song's title itself is a humorous take on the absurdity of macho posturing, suggesting that a man with a perm, a hairstyle often associated with vanity, is not someone to be taken seriously in a fight. The lyrics are filled with British slang and cultural references, painting a picture of a certain type of modern machismo that the band finds both laughable and concerning.

The song opens with a repetition of substances associated with enhancing one's appearance or performance, such as Brylcreem, creatine, and cocaine, hinting at the lengths some men go to in order to maintain a tough exterior. The protagonist of the song seems to relish in the animosity he receives from another man, describing him with aggressive and hyperbolic imagery. The use of phrases like 'a jaw like a fuck-off bear trap' and 'two arms like big baseball bats' exaggerates the absurdity of the hyper-masculine image.

Idles also critique the superficiality of this macho culture by comparing the man to various shallow or aggressive archetypes, such as a 'catalogue, plastic Sinatra' and a 'Topshop tyrant.' The song's bridge, 'I'll shut my mouth / Let's hug it out,' suggests a resolution to the conflict, proposing a more peaceful and emotionally open form of masculinity. Overall, 'Never Fight a Man With a Perm' is a satirical take on toxic masculinity, urging listeners to see beyond the bravado and embrace a more genuine and less violent way of being a man.