I'm A Man

Pulp's song "I'm A Man" delves into the existential musings of what it means to be a man in contemporary society. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist who is bombarded by the superficial aspects of life, such as advertising and societal expectations. The opening lines, "Laid here. With the advertising sliding past my eyes. Like cartoons. From other people's lives," suggest a sense of detachment and disillusionment. The protagonist questions the traditional markers of masculinity, such as drinking, smoking, and telling dirty jokes, and finds them lacking in substance and meaning.

The chorus, with its repeated plea, "So please can I ask just why we're alive. When all that you do seems such a waste of time," captures the essence of the song's existential crisis. The protagonist feels that the conventional path to manhood is unfulfilling and questions the purpose of life itself. The lyrics also touch on the repetitive and monotonous nature of life, as exemplified by the lines, "Your car can do up to one hundred and ten. You know where to go but you'll go there again." This suggests a sense of aimlessness and futility, where even the thrill of speed and movement fails to bring any real satisfaction.

The song also critiques the societal pressures to conform and the emptiness of material pursuits. The lines, "Saw you stumbling into town with your stomach in. To show them what you've got though they've seen everything," highlight the superficiality of trying to impress others with appearances. Despite having the "lead," the protagonist still feels the need to seek validation, indicating a deep-seated insecurity. The song's repetitive structure and melancholic tone underscore the cyclical nature of these existential doubts, making "I'm A Man" a poignant commentary on the struggles of modern masculinity.