The song is Blacc's most successful single as a solo artist to date; it sold 2.5 million copies in the United States as of December 2014, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "The Man" topped the charts in the United Kingdom and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden. On January 22, 2014, a remix of "The Man" featuring American rapper Kid Ink was released.
A lyric video to accompany the release of "The Man" was first released to YouTube on January 10, 2014. The song's official music video followed on March 3, 2014. The video takes place in the 1960s and 1970s and gives tribute to figures and events significant to African American culture during that era.
The song was featured in the end credits of the 2014 film Brick Mansions. This song was also famously used in a video on TikTok that featured NBA player Patrick Beverley celebrating after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022 NBA Play-In.
In December 2013, "The Man" was used as the soundtrack for a series of Beats by Dre commercials promoting the company's "Hear What You Want" campaign, which featured several notable sports personalities, including NFL players Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks and Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, NBA player Kevin Garnett of the Brooklyn Nets, and Chelsea FC football player Cesc Fabregas, wearing Beats headphones to block out the sound of heckling from disgruntled fans.
The song was used extensively at the 2014 NFL Draft, being played 108 times over the course of the three-day event. MLB also used the song for its ads for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. The ad shows different highlights and celebrations of possible All-Stars for 2014.
The Man
Aloe Blacc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
I believe every lie that I ever told
I played my cards and I didn't fold
Well it ain't that hard when you got soul (this is my world)
Somewhere I heard that life is a test
I been through the worst but I still give my best
God made my mold different from the rest
Then he broke that mold so I know I'm blessed (this is my world)
Stand up now and face the sun
Won't hide my tail or turn and run
It's time to do what must be done
Be a king when kingdom comes
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
I got all the answers to your questions
I'll be the teacher you can be the lesson
I'll be the preacher you be the confession
I'll be the quick relief to all your stressin' (this is my world)
It's a thin line between love and hate
Is you really real or is you really fake
I'm a soldier standing on my feet
No surrender and I won't retreat (this is my world)
Stand up now and face the sun
Won't hide my tail or turn and run
It's time to do what must be done
Be a king when kingdom comes
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Well you can tell everybody
Yeah you can tell everybody
Go ahead and tell everybody
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
The lyrics in Aloe Blacc's song The Man speak to the idea of confidence and self-belief. Throughout the song, Blacc asserts himself as "the man" and encourages others to tell everybody so. He acknowledges that he has made mistakes and done wrong in his life but asserts that he is still the man and is blessed because of his unique qualities. He speaks to the importance of standing up and being a leader, even in difficult times. The lyrics also challenge the listener to question their own authenticity and determine whether they are "real" or "fake" in their actions and intentions.
The repeated phrase "I'm the man" serves as a powerful mantra throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of believing in oneself and having the confidence to assert one's own worth. The lyrics also touch on ideas of power and leadership, encouraging the listener to take charge of their own life and be a "king when kingdom comes."
Overall, The Man is a bold and empowering song that encourages listeners to recognize their own worth and potential. Its lyrics are a call to action, urging individuals to step up and be leaders in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you can tell everybody
I want everyone to know
Yeah you can tell everybody
It's important to me that everyone knows
Go ahead and tell everybody
Please spread the word
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
I am confident and successful
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I have no doubt about my abilities
I believe every lie that I ever told
I have made mistakes and lied before
Paid for every heart that I ever stole
I have hurt others and I am willing to make amends
I played my cards and I didn't fold
I take risks and stand up for myself
Well it ain't that hard when you got soul (this is my world)
I have faith in myself and my abilities to succeed
Somewhere I heard that life is a test
I believe that life is a challenge
I been through the worst but I still give my best
I have faced hardships, but I still try my hardest
God made my mold different from the rest
I am unique and special in my own way
Then he broke that mold so I know I'm blessed (this is my world)
I am grateful for my abilities and my place in the world
Stand up now and face the sun
I will face my challenges head-on
Won't hide my tail or turn and run
I will not back down or give up
It's time to do what must be done
I am ready to take action and make things happen
Be a king when kingdom comes
I will take charge and lead when the time comes
I got all the answers to your questions
I am knowledgeable and can offer guidance
I'll be the teacher you can be the lesson
I can teach you and help you learn
I'll be the preacher you be the confession
I can offer guidance and support to help you confess your sins
I'll be the quick relief to all your stressin' (this is my world)
I am capable of providing quick and effective solutions to problems
It's a thin line between love and hate
There is a fine line between emotions and feelings
Is you really real or is you really fake
Are you genuine or just pretending?
I'm a soldier standing on my feet
I am strong and resilient
No surrender and I won't retreat (this is my world)
I will not give up or back down in the face of adversity
Tell everybody
Spread the word
Yes I am, yes I am, yes I am
I have confidence in my abilities
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
I am a successful and confident individual
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aloe Blacc, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Daniel Seeff, Sam Barsh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theaveragegamer8413
Easter Eggs:
0:39 Marvin Gaye 'Whats going on' album cover
0:39-0:54 Violence and racial injustice at the time
0:54-1:12 Civil Rights and Vietnam war protest
1:12-1:45 Louis Armstrong or Clifford Brown
1:45-2:25 Stevie Wonder
2:25-2:57 Muhammad Ali
2:57-3:05 Soul Train
3:19-3:37 Malcolm X
3:37-3:49 African American's role in politics [Barack Obama]
3:49----Martin Luther King, Jr.
3:59----Selma to Montgomery marches aka "Bloody Sunday"
4:18----1968 Olympics Black Power salute (back, right corner)
@ColeridgeBernardStroudIV
This song makes me want to win an NBA game , stand up on the bench facing the fans , take my shirt off , and throw it into the crowd.
@SalMakes
LMAOO Goated ref
@yebbers
PAT BEVV!!!
@javaddsales7279
😭😭😭😭😭
@karenbradley7588
@@yebbers pl
@nolapropertybuyer9732
And hit my chest repeatedly while screaming at the top of my lungs like King Kong.
@kmarr68
Here because of Dave Chappelle. Great closing story, great closing credits and great song!
@ishaaqsultan6763
Pretty much
@BenjiDarius
Same! It was a great story
@audreyginebra7427
Me too. It was a great ending to a great show😻