People will know when they see this show
The kind of a guy I am
They'll recognize just what I stand for and what I just can't stand
They'll perceive what I believe in
And what I know is true
And they'll recognize I'm a one man guy
Always was through and through

People meditate
Hey that's just great
Trying to find the inner you
People depend on family and friends
And other folks to pull them through

I don't know why I'm a one man guy
Or why I'm a one man show
But these three cubic feet of bone and blood and meat are all I love and know

Cause I'm a one man guy in the morning
Same in the afternoon
One man guy when the sun goes down
I whistle me a one man tune

One man guy a one man guy
Only kind of guy to be
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy is me

I'm gonna bathe and shave
And dress myself and eat solo every night
Unplug the phone, sleep alone
Stay way out of sight
Sure it's kind of lonely
Yeah it's sort of sick
Being your own one and only
Is a dirty selfish trick

Cause I'm a one man guy in the morning
Same in the afternoon
One man guy when the sun goes down
I whistle me a one man tune
One man guy a one man guy
Only kind of guy to be
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy is me


Lyrics submitted by ang

One Man Guy Lyrics as written by Loudon Wainwright

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

One Man Guy (Loudon Wainwright III cover) song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one of my favourite Songs ever. Nick Hornby speaks about this song in his book 31 Songs and captures it perfectly.

    I love the Line " people meditate, hey thats just great, trying to find the inner you", this is the bit when Martha ( Rufus's Sister) starts to harmonise.

    It is true that the song was written by Rufus's father Loudon Wainwright III. I think it was at a time when Rufus didn't get on with his Dad as well which adds another twist to the song!

    Luca303on August 04, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love this song. It especially love the lines: People meditate Hey that's just great Trying to find the inner you People depend on family and friends And other folks to pull them through I interpret it as kind of being an anthem for people that feel that they are better off alone, or people who realise that they are they themselves are the only ones they can really depend on...even if it isn't exactly a 'movie-like' way to live life. I also think it's a bit of a mocking (very very subtle) of religion...and how that may be find for others...but not for him. love, elisa

    enolfon August 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is SO beautiful... god, his voice is amazing... the lyrics are pretty self explanitory... i guess the lyrics don't mean a whole lot to me... but i understand what he's sayin... cause sometimes you just wanna be with you.

    pomegranatesROCKon July 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe this song was actually written by his Father, Laudon Wainwright

    Fredrickon April 23, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song so much. Rufus is such a great artist, and his voice is so smooth and beautiful. I love to listen to this song when I'm alone, it reminds me that all I really need if myself and that as long as I'm completly ok with myself and who I am I can get though anything. And I love having time to myself, so it's pretty true for me.

    redshoeculton July 07, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song more and more everytime I hear it. It's funny.. It took me a while to realize how great it was though. It's so.. not his other stuff. It's so simple and not over the top (Though I love that he is over the top). I agree with the others. His voice is so beautiful in this. Such a smooth texture in this song.

    anna118kon September 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't think this song is really about strength in singleness because in the third verse he says; "Sure it's kind of lonely Yeah it's sort of sick Being your own one and only Is a dirty selfish trick"

    He's saying that even though it's hard to be alone he'd rather be by himself than be hurt again... I can totally relate. This is kind of a common theme for him, that it's better to be alone than to be in a relationship that's ultimately going to hurt you. his earlier song "april fools" is along the same lines.

    gracetbeon May 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    rereading that and realise it makes not sense ***...realise that they, and they themselves soz, elisa

    enolfon August 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I used to always skip this song when I listened to the album.

    I only realized recently how absolutely quietly beautiful and gracefully paced this song is. It's such a lovely song, with very good lyrics and pretty backing vocals. The melody and harmony is very touching.

    And yes, it's a cover of Rufus' father's "One Man Guy." I actually prefer Rufus' version, though Loudon's is very good as well.

    johndouxon May 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    is this definately one of loudens songs then? me and my friend have been wondering about for ages

    emilieeon August 20, 2006   Link

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