“Maybe Man” is the opening track on AJR’s album The Maybe Man. The song introduces the pervasive theme throughout the album of Jack not knowing who he is, or wanting to be something other than what he currently is. Each verse discusses a quality he wishes to possess, often pairing it with an object...
[Verse 1: Jack Met]
Wish I was a stone so I couldn't feel
You'd yell in my face, it'd be no big deal
But I'd miss the way we make up and smile
Don't wanna be stone, I changed my mind
[Verse 2: Jack Met]
I wish I had eyes in the back of my head
Then I could see the places I've been
But then I would know that you're talkin' shit
I don't wanna know what my friends think
[Verse 3: Jack Met]
Wish I were my dog out on the lawn
I'd be so glad when I hear you come home
But if I were my dog, I wouldn't live long
I'm sure gonna miss her when she's gone
[Verse 4: Jack Met]
I wish I could act in a show on TV
'Cause then I could practice not bein' me
I'll practice my cry, put it into my reel
But you won't believe me when I cry for real
[Verse 5: Jack Met]
I wish that my brain would triple in size
I'd nail every joke, I'd win every fight
But I'd get too deep with that kind of mind
I don't wanna know the point of life
[Verse 6: Jack Met]
In some other life, I would be rich
I'd travel in style, I'd cover the bill
But couldn't complain 'bout anything small
Nobody'd feel bad for me at all
[Verse 7: Jack Met]
If I was cocaine or a bottle of Jack
I'd get invited to every frat
But when you get old and your good days are passed
You'll only want me when you're sad
[Verse 8: Jack Met]
Wish I was a song, your favorite one
You'd follow the dance to me at your prom
I would be there when your baby is born
For two or three minutes, then I'm gone
[Verse 9: Jack Met]
I wish I was big, as big as my house
I'd sleep on the trees, I'd skip every crowd
But I wouldn't fit on my therapist's couch
God, I could really use him now
[Verse 10: Jack Met]
I wish I was God, I'd never trip up
And if I did, well, so fuckin' what?
I could be cruel and break all your stuff
Yeah, I'd be loved no matter what
[Verse 11: Jack Met]
But if I was God, it'd get kinda weird
'Cause you would only say what I wanna hear
And then you would die, you'd love me to death
I'd never know who the hell I am
[Verse 12: Jack Met]
I wish I was me, whoever that is
I could just be and not give a shit
Hey, I'll be whatever makes you a fan
'Cause I don't know who the hell I am
[Outro: Jack Met & Rob Piccione]
One, two, pandemonium
One, two, pandemonium
Here I go again
One, two, pandemonium
Here I go again
One, two, pandemonium
One, two
Here I go again