Are you looking for a song that celebrates all the great and wonderful things about being a man? Or maybe you want to know what the ladies think a real man is? Perhaps you just want to find the songs that will make you feel manlier?
Whatever reason you may have, we’re 100% sure you’ll find the right song for you on this list.
The Killers – The Man
If you’re looking for the perfect song to get you up and running each morning, this is it. The Man is a machismo-filled song about being the strong, confident man that every other guy wants to be. Nothing can bring you down once you start singing to this beat.
Manly man lyrics: 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
Paolo Nutini – Better Man
As much as you may love your manliness, there will be times when a certain woman will make you want to become even more. Better Man is a song about a guy who finds the perfect girl for him. She drinks like he drinks, she’s fearless and free, and she’s got a smile that can take his breath away. And it’s because of this that the guy wants to be a better version of himself.
Manly man lyrics: That girl
Makes me wanna be a better man
Ye should she see fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
She’s fearless, she’s free
Oh she is a real live wire
And that girl
She’s got me feeling so much better
Oh you trade all the money in the world
Just to see this girl’s smile
All the while, she’ll make you feel so much better
Pearl Jam – Better Man
In stark contrast to Paolo Nutini’s song of the same name, we have one of Pearl Jam’s greatest hits. The song is about a woman who’s in a relationship with a man who used to be so different. He no longer treats her right, and all she can do is to convince herself that she can’t find a better man than the one she’s with. To all the guys out there, take this as a cautionary tale about how easy it is to become complacent in a relationship.
Manly man lyrics: She lies and says she’s in love with him, can’t find a better man
She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can’t find a better man
Dusty Springfield – Son of a Preacher Man
This Dusty Springfield song is about a guy that most guys want to become – the one who leaves such a strong impression on a woman that no one else can ever compare. Son of Preacher Man is about a young girl who falls in love with the preacher’s son. Whenever the preacher would come over, the girl and the preacher’s son would sneak away. He’s the one who teaches her about love and makes her believe that no other man can compare.
Manly man lyrics: The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh yes he was
Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman
In this chart-topping hit by Percy Sledge, he tells us what it’s like to fall madly in love with a woman only to have her leave him. The song is about all the things he’s done for her in the name of love – from ignoring her flaws to spending all his money on her to sleeping out in the rain for her. In the eyes of most, giving your heart completely to a woman (even one who’s been raising red flags from the start) is one of the manliest things anyone can do.
Manly man lyrics: When a man loves a woman
Can’t keep his mind on nothing else
He’ll trade the world
For the good thing he’s found
If she’s bad he can’t see it
She can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best friend
If he put her down
Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror
Do you want to be a real man? Then be the change you want to see in the world. In Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson sings about making a change and realizing that change starts from within. The song is a critique on how many of us erroneously believe that the world will only change when people in power start to do something. But even in our own small way, we can make the world a better place by becoming a better person.
Manly man lyrics: I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Johnny Cash – Man in Black
Michael Jackson may have been the King of Pop whose message about change can be dispersed all over the world. But Johnny Cash, a country music king in his own right, had his own way of making the world a better place. In this song, he explains the reason he wears black, “I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he’s a victim of the times.” Now if that isn’t an admirable feat for a man, we don’t know what is!
Manly man lyrics: Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything’s OK,
But I’ll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
‘Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black
Shania Twain – That Don’t Impress Me Much
Now on to song from the perspective of women. That Don’t Impress Me Much is about what a man shouldn’t be. Shania Twain isn’t knocking down famous folks like Elvis or Brad Pitt. Instead, she’s criticizing men who think they can get any girl they want when their game is actually pretty weak. So take note fellas: it takes more than just good looks, cars, and smarts to get a woman like Shania!
Manly man lyrics: Okay, so you’re Brad Pitt
That don’t impress me much
So you got the looks but have you got the touch
Don’t get me wrong, yeah I think you’re alright
But that won’t keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don’t impress me much
Linda Lyndell – What a Man
If your ego’s been crushed by Shania’s song, allow Linda Lyndell to boost it right back up. That is, as long as you have the right dance moves. What a Man is about Linda complimenting a man on his impressive dance moves – from the funky Broadway to the funky four corner. She admits that it’s his smooth moves that’s starting to make her lose her grip, but she’s not afraid to show it!
Manly man lyrics: Let me put it on your mind
Let me put it on your mind
He thrills me, kills me
He’s a lovin’ kind
Another ounce of his love
And I think I’m a gonna slip
Lose my grip
And do back over flips
Bonnie Tyler – Holding Out for a Hero
For all you guys who just love damsels in distress, Bonnie Tyler has listed down all the traits she’s looking for in a guy who’s willing to save her. In her song, she describes the epitome of manliness – strong, fast, fresh from the fight, and larger than life! She wants him to sweep her off her feet and whisk her off into her mildest fantasy.
Manly man lyrics: I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ’til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life!
Larger than life
ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man
ZZ Top might not be the experts when it comes to being sharp dressed, but they do make a valid point about how being well-dressed can instantly make you look way more attractive. In their song, they describe the basic outfit that women would swoon over – from a clean shirt and new shoes to cufflinks and black shades. Of course, having a fat enough wallet to afford all that doesn’t hurt either.
Manly man lyrics: Clean shirt, new shoes
And I don’t know where I am goin’ to
Silk suit, black tie,
I don’t need a reason why
They come runnin’ just as fast as they can
‘Cause every girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man
The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
Okay, so maybe you’re not the type of guy who can impress Shania Twain. Perhaps you don’t have the right moves to make Linda Lyndell lose her grip on her sanity. You might not even be the hero Bonnie Tyler is looking for. And you might not have a sharp enough wardrobe. But if you want women to rejoice in your presence, The Weather Girls’ song It’s Raining Men might be the song you want to play! After all, it’s a song celebrating the abundance of awesome men, and you might just be one of them!
Manly man lyrics: It’s Raining Men! Hallelujah!
It’s Raining Men! Amen
I’m gonna go out, I’m gonna let myself get,
Absolutely soaking wet!
It’s Raining Men! Hallelujah!
It’s Raining Men! Every Specimen!
Tall, blonde, dark and lean
Rough and tough and strong and mean
Craig Campbell – Family Man
Craig Campbell really hits the nail on the head when it comes to being what a real man is. While many may think of a “real man” as a muscular guy, a rich guy, or someone with all the traits that can get a girl, Campbell’s idea of a real man is a lot simpler. To him, a real man is a family man – one who’s proud of how well he can provide for the ones he loves.
Manly man lyrics: They’re a world my world revolves around
My sacred piece of solid ground
The flesh and bone that gives me strength to stand
They are a fire in my drivin’ on
The drive behind my comin’ home
The livin’, breathin’, reason that I am
A family man
James Brown – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
Feel like this list is highlighting the achievements and traits of men and not enough acknowledgement is given to women? Let this song by James Brown change your mind. It might seem like he’s saying that the world belongs to men, but in reality he’s saying that despite men’s innovations, the world would be nothing without a woman.
Manly man lyrics: This is a man’s world
But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing, not one little thing, without a woman or a girl
Village People – Macho Man
Now for the ultimate song that’s oozing with manliness and machismo, we have the Village People’s Macho Man. It’s like a pep talk in the form of a song whenever you’re working towards your goal of becoming the ultimate macho man. Maybe it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but it certainly is catchy!
Manly man lyrics: Macho, macho man
I gotta be a macho man
Macho macho man
I gotta be a macho
Feel manlier yet? We hope this list has satiated your cravings for songs about manliness!
