Listening to Rufus Wainwright on Radio Paradise

Rufus Wainwright — One Man Guy

Album: Poses
Avg rating:

6.6

Your rating:

Total ratings: 164

Released: 2001
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0

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People will know when they see this show
The kind of a guy I am
They'll recognize just what I stand for
And what I just can't stand
They'll perceive what I believe in
And what I know is true
They'll recognize I'm a one man guy
Always was through and through

People meditate hey that's just great
Trying to find the inner you
People depend on family and friends
And other folks to pull them through
I don't know why I'm a one man guy
Or why I'm a one man show
But these three cubic feet of bone and blood and meat
Are all I love and know

'Cause I'm a one man guy in the mornin'
Same in the afternoon
One man guy when the sun goes down
I whistle me a one man tune
One man guy
One man guy
Only kinda guy to be
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy is me

I'm gonna bathe and shave and dress myself
And eat solo every night
Unplug the phone
Sleep alone
Stay way out of sight
Sure it's kinda lonely
Yeah it's sort of sick
Bein' your own one and only
Is a dirty selfish trick

'Cause I'm a one man guy in the mornin'
Same in the afternoon
One man guy when the sun goes down
I whistle me a one man tune
One man guy
One man guy
Only kinda guy to be
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy
I'm a one man guy is me

Comments (40)add comment

Fredrikson wrote:

I'm sorry but this was just plain boring.

lazy and mushmouth. no thanks.

Posted 18 years ago by zipper [ Reply ]

Yes - check out the live version on BBC Sesssions, a great collection of live radio broadcast versions that provide a good taste of III's songwriting capabilities.KRobyn wrote:

I believe this one was written and originally recorded by his old man, Loudon III, wasn't it?

Posted 18 years ago by shemark [ Reply ]

I'm sorry but this was just plain boring.

Posted 18 years ago by Fredrikson [ Reply ]

i got turned on to this tune through the writer Nick Hornby's book Songbook. the book came with a CD with this tune on it. the book also riffs on 31 of his favorite tunes. my wife can not deal with this particular tune at all but since the guy who wrote High Fidelity gives it a nod it can't be all bad

Posted 18 years ago by Hedwig [ Reply ]

I believe this one was written and originally recorded by his old man, Loudon III, wasn't it?

Posted 18 years ago by KRobyn [ Reply ]

Started a 7 and ended a 9. =D

Posted 18 years ago by mafe [ Reply ]

At first I thought it was Jackson Brown before I saw who it was.

Posted 18 years ago by rowdydaisy [ Reply ]

Not one of his best song but.....I love Rufus. Yeah!

Posted 18 years ago by bindi [ Reply ]

this is seriously like my favorite song from this album.

Posted 18 years ago by topherg87 [ Reply ]

... too whiny for a slow song.

Posted 18 years ago by xiola [ Reply ]

If it wasn't for RP and my ex, I wouldn't have known the beauty of Rufus. I absolutely love this song. If you are looking for a little variety, his sister Martha is an excellent artist as well.

Posted 18 years ago by jbo [ Reply ]

Daveinbawlmer wrote:

He'd mope over them no doubt.

Posted 18 years ago by evilmu [ Reply ]

lovin it!!!

Posted 18 years ago by brown1971 [ Reply ]

Thanks, RN, for cracking through the hard shell of heteronormativity!!

Posted 19 years ago by allearsny [ Reply ]

Great set!

Posted 19 years ago by josephthelevite [ Reply ]

rah wrote:

i really hope we get "Rufus is a Tit Man" next...

He'd mope over them no doubt.

Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer [ Reply ]

Garlique wrote:

Lamer than lame.

excruciatingly lame.

Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer [ Reply ]

nuggler wrote:

God, this is lame...

Lamer than lame.

Posted 19 years ago by Garlique [ Reply ]

i really hope we get "Rufus is a Tit Man" next...

Posted 19 years ago by rah [ Reply ]

nuggler wrote:

God, this is lame...

agreed yuck

Posted 19 years ago by Orphan [ Reply ]

God, this is lame...

Posted 19 years ago by nuggler [ Reply ]

Good song. Very enjoyable!

Posted 19 years ago by Pipes [ Reply ]

rush-2112 wrote:

his dad kicks ass too...check out the BBC sessions brilliant!

They are BOTH going to be at the Appel Farm Festival on June 4

Posted 19 years ago by rgio [ Reply ]

charlesryder wrote:

Rufus is unapologetically gay, but this song was originally done by his father who is definitely not. It's about being true to yourself.

It's okay to be a little cute about these things, you know. Of course his father didn't intend the song as a gay pride anthem, but how tongue-in-cheek would Rufus have to be to not acknowledge the double meaning?

Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity [ Reply ]

his dad kicks ass too...check out the BBC sessions brilliant!

Posted 19 years ago by rush-2112 [ Reply ]

Dammit. I uploaded this and it was rejected. Oh well, I guess the spinning world works its way back to sanity.

Posted 19 years ago by Dragonfly_Launch [ Reply ]

This guy's a genious. /fact

Posted 19 years ago by timandjuliet [ Reply ]

Sounds like Jackson on qualudes...

Posted 19 years ago by JJAB [ Reply ]

The vocal stylings here made me think of Jackson Browne. Had to look up to see if it was Jackson.

Posted 20 years ago by steeler [ Reply ]

................withanamelikerufusithastobegood.................................

Posted 20 years ago by trekhead [ Reply ]

Didn't know his Dad wrote this one (it's so educational reading listener comments). His album "Poses" was near the top of my list when it came out, I don't know why he didn't win a grammy for either the album or the title song...it's a masterpiece. Thanks for playing Rufus -- play more!

Posted 20 years ago by bigeclecticcat [ Reply ]

RichardSF wrote:

Rufus has been out as a gay person since he was a young teen... he's never hid it, hasn't ever tried to. He's excruciatingly honest and open, not to mention gorgeous. It's such a fabulous version of his dad's song, with Teddy Thompson and Martha Wainwright doing backups..... And no, I don't think the interpretation is that he's gay. But he is. Teddy sings one verse, Martha sings another. They're not gay.... It's got some layered meaning in it though, that's for sure. They performed it 2 nights ago with him at the Central Park Summerstage show in NYC... And it's true... Rufus's own material (which BillG has yet to 'add') is much more complex than his dad's. Bill's still got Beautiful Child from Want One on 'review' but they've rejected tracks 3 other tracks that ...well, ...are simply fantastic. :(

Thanks for the info. I really was curious about his orientation, but hope my comment didn't seem paranoid homophobic. I found the lyrics haunting, and as you pointed out, layered. Would love to hear more of Rufous' stuff!

Posted 20 years ago by Pyro [ Reply ]

Pyro wrote:

Does his being a "one man guy" make him gay?

Rufus is unapologetically gay, but this song was originally done by his father who is definitely not. It's about being true to yourself.

Posted 20 years ago by charlesryder [ Reply ]

slowly starting to love rufus wainwright. this is a great song. wanted to hear it again when it ended. him and richard ashcroft have great melancholy voices. a good recommendation if you like this one. richard ashcroft - must be a country thing. it's on the 'song for the lovers' single, it's the b-side. great song.

Posted 20 years ago by ortenzia [ Reply ]

Y'know I love this song. I tried to get my friend hooked on it but he was a little homophobic about it. Can't wait tell him Louden wrote it. I thought it was too overt to be gay. I love when I win!

Posted 20 years ago by Nuance [ Reply ]

Pyro wrote:

Does his being a "one man guy" make him gay?

The tune was written by his very straight dad, Loudon. As far as I know, it's the only song of his dad he covers. LOVE Rufus, but this song is certainly not his best work. His more complex and orchestrated tunes showcase his talent much more than this tune.