About the song
“A Man I’ll Never Be” is a power ballad by the American rock band Boston, released in 1978 on their second album, “Don’t Look Back.”
Background:
- The Band: Boston was known for their soaring vocals, layered harmonies, and prominent use of guitars. “A Man I’ll Never Be” showcased a slightly different side, with a heavier emphasis on piano and a more introspective tone.
- The Album: “Don’t Look Back” was a highly anticipated follow-up to their massively successful debut. While it didn’t quite reach the same heights as the first album, it still produced several hits, including the title track and “A Man I’ll Never Be.”
- Songwriter: The song was written and produced by Tom Scholz, the band’s mastermind and primary songwriter. Scholz was known for his perfectionism and meticulous approach to recording, often spending countless hours in the studio to achieve his desired sound.
Themes:
- Inadequacy and Self-Doubt: The song’s lyrics express feelings of inadequacy and the struggle to live up to expectations, both real and imagined. The narrator feels like he can’t measure up to the person he believes his loved one sees in him.
- Unrequited Love/Longing: There’s a strong sense of longing and yearning throughout the song. The narrator desires to be the person his loved one desires, but feels trapped by his own limitations.
- The Mask of Happiness: The lyrics suggest that the narrator puts on a facade of happiness and confidence to hide his true feelings of insecurity. This is a common theme in many power ballads, where vulnerability is often masked by outward bravado.
- Searching for Self-Worth: Ultimately, the song is a search for validation and self-worth. The narrator wants to believe he can be the person he desires to be, but ultimately acknowledges his own limitations and the impossibility of fulfilling another’s idealized image.
Legacy:
“A Man I’ll Never Be” became a classic rock radio staple and a popular choice for slow dances and romantic moments. Its themes of longing, inadequacy, and the search for love and acceptance resonated with many listeners, making it one of Boston’s most enduring and beloved songs.
Video
Lyrics
If I said what’s on my mindYou’d turn and walk awayDisappearing way back in your dreams
It’s so hard to be unkindSo easy just to sayThat everything is just the way it seems
You look up at meAnd somewhere in your mind, you seeA man I’ll never be
If only I could find a wayI’d feel like I’m the man you believe I amIt’s getting harder every day for meTo hide behind this dream you seeA man I’ll never be
I can’t get any strongerAnd I can’t climb any higherYou’ll never know just how hard I’ve tried
Cry a little longerAnd hold a little tighterEmotions can’t be satisfied
You look up at meAnd somewhere in your mind, you seeA man I’ll never be
If only I could find a wayI’d feel like I’m the man you believe I amAnd it gets harder every day for meTo hide behind this dream you seeA man I’ll never be
Can’t get any strongerAnd I can’t climb any higherYou’ll never know just how hard I’ve tried
Cry a little longerAnd hold a little tighterEmotions can’t be satisfiedOh, you look up at meAnd somewhere in your mind, you still seeA man I’ll never be, no
If only I could find a wayI’d feel like I’m the man you believe I amAnd it gets harder every day for meI can’t keep hidin’ this feeling