The Arrogance of “The Man” by The Killers

The Killers released their fifth album, Wonderful, Wonderful, in 2017, with bold track “The Man” as its lead single. It was something of a comeback for the band—they hadn’t released new music in five years, and “The Man” hearkened back to some of their earlier, more synth-heavy work, or, as frontman Brandon Flowers described it, “quintessentially Killers things.” Its lyrics also looked back at the past, specifically the band’s early years, when Flowers was unafraid to publicly criticize other bands.

“It came from a place of insecurity and I would just puff my chest out and say things and put a lot of negativity out there,” Flowers has said. “I basically came to regret that and I’m sure a lot of people can identify with that.”

In his own words, Flowers was “arrogant” at the time, and “The Man” is a reflection of that attitude. According to the band themselves, the song is a “tongue-in-cheek” exploration about what it means to be a man, especially in your 20s. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. has said the song is about the invincible feeling that comes with youth. It also stands as a contrast to some of the more “tender” songs on the album.

The Arrogance of “The Man”

“The Man” presents a cocky character similar to Flowers’ past self, one who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, doesn’t need anyone but himself, and compares himself to royalty.

“It was nice to sort of go in and inhabit that character, and that figure, and that version of myself for much longer,” Flowers said of the writing process.

I know the score like the back of my hand
Them other boys, I don’t give a damn
They kiss on the ring, I carry the crown
Nothing can break, nothing can break me down
Don’t need no advice, I got a plan (Ooh)
I know the direction, the lay of the land (Ooh)
I know the score like the back of my hand
Them other boys, I don’t give a damn

This attitude carries over into the pre-chorus and chorus, where he flaunts his wealth, good fortune, and fame, playing with the idea of a man being the “breadwinner.”

I’m the man, come ’round
No-no-nothing can break, no-nothing can break me down

I got gas in the tank
I got money in the bank
I got news for you, baby
You’re looking at the man
I got skin in the game
I got a household name
I got news for you, baby, you’re looking at the man

In the second verse, he brags about his intelligence, claiming there’s nothing anyone can teach him because he already knows it all and is “gifted.”

When it comes to Friday, I always earn
Don’t try to teach me, I got nothing to learn
‘Cause baby I’m gifted
You see what I mean?
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Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns