The Manual

Album: Lazarus (2010)
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Songfacts®:

  • This track features American rappers T-Pain and Young Cash. McCoy told Alternative Press about it: "After the party anthem (We'll Be Alright), you get the 'The Manual,' which is more serious yet still playful. This song talks about how there is really no instruction manual to this type of lifestyle: constantly touring or being knee-deep in the music industry. A lot of times, we as artists get persecuted for not doing things the way people think we should do them; Or for doing things the way people would consider politically correct. At the same time, in the hook, T-Pain says, 'I'm just trying to be me, yet it's not good enough for you, so tell me what I should do.' It's sarcastic in a sense. I get on the internet and read blogs pertaining to my music and everyone has something to say. It's so easy to get online and lose all your inhibitions and complain and nag about what's wrong with music. But if you're going to do that, offer some way to change things. Or make music. A lot of the people aren't even artists. The title of 'The Manual' is asking if there is a manual out there on how to do things the right way, then please show it to me and I'll read it five times over."

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