Man Size is a song written by PJ Harvey from the album Rid of Me. Man Size was recorded by Steve Albini and released like second single album in July 1993. The album’s lyrics (Rid of Me) have been widely interpreted as being feminist in nature. Harvey, however, repeatedly denied a feminist agenda in her songwriting, stating
“I don’t even think of myself as being female half the time. When I’m writing songs I never write with gender in mind. I write about people’s relationships to each other. I’m fascinated with things that might be considered repulsive or embarrassing. I like feeling unsettled, unsure.”
Some of the lyrics were inspired by her personal experiences. The title track, for instance, was admittedly influenced by one of Harvey‘s relationships coming to an end. When told by an interviewer that “Rid of Me” sounded psychotic, she replied that she wrote the song “at my illest” and added “I was almost psychotic” at the time. But, she made it clear that not all of the lyrics were to be read autobiographically, saying “I would have to be 40 and very worn out to have lived through everything I write about”.
Tracklist:
- Man Size
- Wang Dang Doodle
- Daddy
Man Size Sextet by PJ Harvey Lyrics
I’m coming up man-sized skinned alive
I want to fit I’ve got to get
Man-sized I’m heading on
Handsome got my leather boots on
Got my girl and she’s a wow
I cast my iron knickers down
Man-sized no need to shout
Can you hear can you hear me now
I’m man-sized
Man sized
I’ll measure time I’ll measure height
I’ll calculate my birthright
Good Lord I’m big I’m heading on
Man-sized got my leather boots on
Got my girl and she’s a wow
I cast my iron knickers down
Man-sized no need to shout
Can you hear, can you hear me now
My babe looking cool and neat
I’m pretty sure good enough to eat
I’m man-sized no need to shout
Let it all, let it all hang out
I’m man-size, man size
Man size, man size, man size, man size
Man size, man size
Silence my lady head
Get girl out of my head
Douse hair with gasoline
Set it light and set it free
Silence my lady head
Get girl out of my head
Douse hair with gasoline
Set it light and set it free
Songwriters: Polly Jean Harvey
PJ Harvey Trio
PJ Harvey: vocals, guitar, organ, cello, violin, producer
Steve Vaughan: bass
Rob Ellis: drums, percussion, backing vocals, arrangement, producer
