“You’re Not The Man” is a soulful ballad by the British-Nigerian singer Sade. The song was released in 1985 as a part of her album “Promise”. The lyrics of the song express the feelings of a woman who is tired of her partner’s lies and deceit. In this article, we will analyze the lyrics of “You’re Not The Man” and try to understand the emotions behind them.
Verse 1
The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. Sade sings,
You’re not the man who gave me everything I’ve ever wanted
You’re not the man who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every, every dream at night
You’re not the man I thought I saw
You’re not the man I’d tried to draw
You’re not the man I’d wedded and I’ve loved
And I’ve loved and I’ve loved and I’ve loved
These lines suggest that the woman had high expectations from her partner, but he failed to live up to them. She had imagined a perfect life with him, but the reality is far from it. The use of repetition in the lyrics highlights the intensity of her emotions.
Chorus
The chorus of the song is simple yet powerful. Sade sings,
You’re not the man who’s strong and understanding
You’re not the man who loves me
And you’re not the man I need
These lines sum up the woman’s disappointment in her partner. She had hoped that he would be her rock, someone who would understand her and support her. But instead, he has let her down in every way possible.
Verse 2
The second verse of the song further elaborates on the woman’s feelings. Sade sings,
You’re not the man who’s words are like water
You’re not the man who’s shoulder’s like Gibraltar
I’m not the girl who’ll always follow
I’m not the girl who’ll swallow everything she’s told
I’m not the girl you’ll see crying
I’m not the girl you’ll need lying
These lines suggest that the woman is no longer willing to put up with her partner’s lies and manipulations. She is strong enough to stand up for herself and speak her mind. The use of metaphors in the lyrics adds depth to the emotions being expressed.
Chorus
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the woman’s disappointment in her partner.
Bridge
The bridge of the song provides a glimmer of hope. Sade sings,
You’re not the man I love
You’re not the man I need
You’re not the man I’ll be thinking of
When I’m lying in my bed
You’re not the man I’d die for
You’re not the man I’d lie for
You’re not the man I’d kill for
But maybe I’m asking for too much
These lines suggest that the woman still cares for her partner, despite his flaws. She realizes that she may have asked for too much from him and that no one is perfect. The use of hyperbole in the lyrics adds a touch of drama to the song.
Chorus
The chorus is repeated again, with the same intensity as before.
Conclusion
“You’re Not The Man” is a poignant song that expresses the emotions of a woman who is disillusioned with her partner. The lyrics are relatable and heartfelt, and Sade’s soulful voice adds to the impact of the song. The use of metaphors and repetition in the lyrics adds depth and intensity to the emotions being expressed. Overall, “You’re Not The Man” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners even after all these years.
