Family Man: Discussion

[wondergirl9847]

Hey there, I was listening to Tango last Friday at work and FM came on and I thought I'd start a thread for this song that gets no love. LOL Don't fret, Stevie fans, I'm gonna start one for one of her "no love" songs too. LOL

Family Man is a song that people LOVE or HATE, there's really no in between. Well, I guess some people hate the lyrics, but love the guitar, so maybe there is an in between. :laugh: I love this song, every time it comes on, I smile. :) The Spanish sounding guitar work is just GREATNESS, and you would THINK that the repetitive chorus would grate on my nerves (most repetitive songs do...Hey Jude, anyone? ;) ), but this one is catchy, to me anyways. I really like the melody too plus Lindsey's voice sounds pretty on the verses.

There is one thing that kinda makes me go :confused:, and that is the message in the song. Alongside the other songs on the album, for some reason, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyone else think so? It sounds kinda like it belongs on OOTC to me...because of the content...hey, maybe it WAS one of his OOTC demos, and he put it on Tango.

Okee, anyone else out there love Family Man? I know there are some who HATE it, but I wanna hear from people who LOVE it, like me!! SHOW SOME LOVE FOR FAMILY MAN!! :D

[chiliD]

I don't necessarily LOVE it, but I LIKE it.

Lindsey was quoted at the time that "Family Man" & "Big Love" in particular were already slated for his next solo album (which turned out to be OotC).

In fact, most of his Tango songs have pseudo-"replacement" songs ON OotC:

Family Man/You & I, Part 2----Soul Drifter
Big Love---Doing What I Can
Caroline/Tango In The Night (first half)---This Is The Time

[DownOnRodeo]

Put me in the 'in between' category! :D I certainly don't dislike it, but it's not among my very favourite Lindset tunes. I still catch the song going through my head sometimes though - very catchy! And although, like you say, the message sticks out on Tango, I really dig it!

On the same topic, has anybody seen this at Mick's BS? (oops - I mean.. BBS;))


Hurry now to join the Official Family Man Fan Club! For a simple $99.95 club administration fee plus postage and handling, you will/may recieve a sheet of real paper with the lyrics to Family Man printed on! (The advanced nature of this technology explains the admin surcharges!)
The first 5 lucky fans to become members will also be sent one of Mick's patented 'Family Man' badges, featuring a picture of Mick and his family! ORDER TODAY, and for a small $10,099.95 bonus fee, Mick will fly you to a Mauii hotel, where he will personally deliver your Badge and Lyric Sheet to your hotel room!!! (Note: may not necessarily be Mick Fleetwood depending on availability!)

[wondergirl9847]

OMG...that is HILARIOUS!! It may not be Mick, it may be a close facsimile, perhaps "Mick" from one of those Fleetwood Mac cover bands!! :lol:

Yeah, I dig the message too..and now..he IS a family man!! :cool:

[sulamith]

I guess I am typical when it comes to this song because I love the luscious guitar, hate the cheesy vocal.

It just sounds kooky and funny to me, a la Popeye....
I yam what I yam, yam what I yam

AND that thing in there that is obvious to me but not to too many other folks here, (at least nobody will admit it) hear
he says:
muther (muther) f*@ker (f*@ker)

Yeah, yeah, I know you guys will say you don't hear it, and that it's supposed to be:
mother (mother) father (father)

but everytime I hear it I just get tickled and can't take it seriously. I actually think Linds was jerking someone's chain with that song and was just being a wise ass anyway. He probably wanted to see what he could get past the censors or something, and that is priceless and funny to me!


Hey, I would dearly love to have it as an instrumental track!

-Sharon

[sodascouts]

Originally posted by sulamith
AND that thing in there that is obvious to me but not to too many other folks here, (at least nobody will admit it) hear
he says:
muther (muther) f*@ker (f*@ker)

-Sharon

Now THAT would be a messed up family.

[Mac Fan]

I absolutely hated this song the first time I heard it(I think it's the only Lindsey song I've actually hated)but now I love it.

[Les]

Yup, I like it. I understand why others don't, but the chorus just hasn't ever bothered me.

The Spanish guitar is what makes it special to me. But there is something about the very simple verses that has just always appealed to me:

Walk down this road
When the road gets rough.....

Walk down this road
In the cool of the night
Don't know what's wrong
But I do know what's right

I am what I am
A family man

He's not feeling good about life and he knows that if he can just get to the point where he's walking up his mom and dad's driveway that everything will feel better. It's sort of innocent, very basic, but appealing in its simplicity.

[CarneVaca]

Sharon, you're crazy. :laugh: He's not saying that. For all the Abba fans out there, though, here's a question: Did you ever hear this: "F**king in the moonlight, love making in the dawn, summer night city." Is it just me, or do they really sing that? I haven't heard the song in years, but Sharon's remark just reminded me of that.

As for Family Man, this is one of those songs for which I bet Lindsey had this great melody and arrangement, but no lyrics. So he added the lyrics later, and whatever he was feeling at the time is what the song became. I believe Lesley's assessment is dead on.

I am not particularly fond of the words, for they lack the emotional connection that he infused in the lyrics for Save Me a Place or Can't Go Back. But the song as a whole is pretty damn good.

[Cristian]

Originally posted by Mac Fan
I absolutely hated this song the first time I heard it...and I still hate it, it's my least favorite Fleetwood Mac song of any incarnation, ever (yes, I even prefer the Dave Walker stuff on Penguin). The lyrics here are so bad that they kind of 'erase' all the good things that this song could have. In my book, that is. I understand that the spanish guitar work might be enough for some of you hardcore Lindsey fans to like it... But not me, sorry. I much rather hear Lindsey singing good lyrics that make sense, like on "Save Me A Place", "Book Of Love" or in this same album... "Tango In The Night" and "Big Love".


Song of the moment - As Long As You Follow

[shackin'up]

Originally posted by Cristian
...and I still hate it, ... (yes, I even prefer the Dave Walker stuff on Penguin). The lyrics here are so bad that they kind of 'erase' all the good things that this song could have.




Well, here's the ultimate hatred! :p :D Preferring DW-stuff on penguin. I hate family man too, because of the dumb-ass lyrics, but that penguinstuff.....that beats everything:p

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally posted by Cristian
...and I still hate it, it's my least favorite Fleetwood Mac song of any incarnation, ever (yes, I even prefer the Dave Walker stuff on Penguin). The lyrics here are so bad that they kind of 'erase' all the good things that this song could have. In my book, that is. I understand that the spanish guitar work might be enough for some of you hardcore Lindsey fans to like it... But not me, sorry. I much rather hear Lindsey singing good lyrics that make sense, like on "Save Me A Place", "Book Of Love" or in this same album... "Tango In The Night" and "Big Love".
[/i]

I'm not trying to be argumentative - I just don't know what you mean. Do you mean the lyrics actually don't make sense, or they're just corny? Because they definitely make perfect - very clear - sense, lol.

[sulamith]

Hee HEEE!!! Whee!

I told you guys, he was just being a wisenheimer!
He sat in his control room laughing his butt off because he slipped the old MF-words onto a record and it went right over the collective heads of all the Warner suits!

WHOOSH!!!

Yeah, Carne's right. I'm just crazy!

I have no idea what this ABBA song of which Carne speaks is about.
I am not an ABBA fan......OWWWWWWW! Ok, who threw that?
Right back at ya, buddy!

-Sharon

[Cristian]

Originally posted by DownOnRodeo
Do you mean the lyrics actually don't make sense, or they're just corny? Because they definitely make perfect - very clear - sense, lol. Yeah... I guess I expressed myself wrong, so I stand corrected. They are just corny to me.

Oh yes, the Penguin stuff... That was a bit extremist, but I just wanted to express my feelings in a way that they could be understood. I absolutely hate "Family Man"... Just a matter of tastes, I suppose.


Song of the moment - As Long As You Follow

[wondergirl9847]

LMAO!! Chilid hates When You Say (and Come), Cristian hates Family Man, I hate WISYA and Sugar Daddy...it's all good!

Like Les, I like Lindsey's simple lyrics...it contrasts Stevie's sometimes :confused: - inducing lyrics. LOL Hey...it works!! :nod: I mean, all poetry doesn't have to be:

"Essential oils are wrung
the attar from the rose
Be not expressed by suns alone,
it is the gift of screws. "

;) :lol:

[strandinthewind]

I like Family Man, esp. the Spanish guitar, the drums, and the way he repeats "I am what I am" a la David Bowie in Fame. I just think it was a poor choice for a single when they had "Isn't it Midnight" to chose instead. In my opinion, Isn't it Midnight had hit single written all over it and they played it in concert (granted LB was not there for the concert so Family Man could not really be played in the same way). But that would have given Christine three hits as opposed to one each for SN and LB. Oh politics!!!!

I my opinion, Family Man does not compare lyrically to other LB's other works like I'm So Afraid. But, hey not all songs have to be 100 perfect in every aspect to be good. Interestingly and as a total aside, I have always thought that in LB's earlier work (pre Rumors) like I'm So Afraid, SN had great influence because they were working so closely together and, in my opinion, the lyrics of I'm So Afraid smack of Stevie, e.g., black as night, rain, sun, gone, etc. I mean LB clearly had great influence on her in his "area" of musical production - so it sort of figures she would have influenced him in her "area" of lyrics. And, he is said not to like or care about lyrics. Who knows!!!

NOTE: I am in no way saying LB cannot write good in not great lyrics now and then; in fact, I think just the opposite. See Peacekeeper, Go Insane, Tusk.

[strandinthewind]

That's "good IF not great lyrics . . . ." Oh to be able to type:laugh:

[Les]

I just think it was a poor choice for a single when they had "Isn't it Midnight" to chose instead. In my opinion, Isn't it Midnight had hit single written all over it and they played it in concert (granted LB was not there for the concert so Family Man could not really be played in the same way).

I always just thought it was odd that Family Man and not Isn't It Midnight would be a single, because wasn't it released as a single after he left? Or do I have the timing off? I just remember that he was gone by the time they needed a video so they slapped together that god-awful video featuring pointless black and white newsreel footage and segments of the band that were clearly from the Seven Wonders video shoot. They just cut away from Lindsey all the time right before the he'd start to sing at a mic because obviously he wouldn't be singing the right words! Hehe.

And, he is said not to like or care about lyrics.

Well, Stevie says that; Lindsey doesn't. I think he's not so confident in his lyric-writing as she is and he's been quick to dismiss his efforts in that area in the past. But I think he does care about them and does try always to improve. What is it he said in that new interview? He tries to come up with a lyric that has "truth, grace and mystery." That said, because she was more confident with her lyrics than he when they were younger and together, I wouldn't be surprised if he did draw some inspiration from some of her writing. His style evolved over a longer period, I think, and still is evolving to some degree.

[strandinthewind]

Hello Les:

I agree LB has certainly hit his stride in writing lyrics. I think he really was able to do this on his three solo records and the GOS demos. I love Trouble and, esp., Go Insane. I also love his 90's stuff from OOTC and the demos from GOS, esp. Peacekeeper and Bleed to Love Her. In my opinion, he also has progressed musically in that he doesn't repeat quite as much as he used to. His musical growth is really the reason why I am anxiously waiting for SYW. I think TISL demonstrates Stevie has also grown, but we have witnessed so much of the "final product" of her music and its changes (esp in the collaborations) in recent years. The same cannot be said for LB.

Oh - They should pay me for my musical opinions!!!!:D

[deribish]

I am right there with you on Summer Night City.
I have ALWAYS thought they were singing "f**king in the moonlight"

So glad I am not the only one who hears that.

-D


Originally posted by CarneVaca
Sharon, you're crazy. :laugh: He's not saying that. For all the Abba fans out there, though, here's a question: Did you ever hear this: "F**king in the moonlight, love making in the dawn, summer night city." Is it just me, or do they really sing that? I haven't heard the song in years, but Sharon's remark just reminded me of that

[wondergirl9847]

I agree, Isn't It Midnight would have kicked BUTT on the radio!! One of my fave FM songs EVER, it ROCKS!! They should pay fans to choose singles, FOR REAL!!

[Mac Fan]

Originally posted by wondergirl9847
I agree, Isn't It Midnight would have kicked BUTT on the radio!!

*agrees* Hopefully, if it had been released, it would have done better than Family Man.
Sofie

[sodascouts]

Somebody apparently likes "Family Man" a lot. It was picked as a single rather than, say, Tango in the Night or Caroline. It was remixed about 100 different times, none of which made it less lame. In fact the lameness increased with the length of the remixes, as they stuck on another minute of repetitons of "I am what I am." And then they put this song on "The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac" - the only Lindsey song from Tango on there!!! (I don't cound Dance Big Love).

For a song that only about, oh, 4% of fans like (and .000001% of nomal listeners like), it sure gets a lot of air time. That's got ME mystified!

[Cristian]

Originally posted by sodascouts
It was remixed about 100 different times, none of which made it less lame. In fact the lameness increased [...] Hehe... Exactly what I feel. :)

OK guys... now, I said before (in fact I commited a mistake) that to me the lyrics of this song were "meaningless". What I meant to say is that, to me, they are lame and plain stupid. However, I don't think that Lindsey just writes the words down there and doesn't want to deliver a message with them. Very seriously, then... could I ask (any of you) what is this song about? Or are the lyrics that obvious, there is no "hidden meaning" or a deeper sense? I'd be very glad to read an "interpretation" of this song. And I'm being very serious, again. Perhaps this could help me appreciate a little this song, which I'm always skipping.


Song of the moment - Everywhere

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally posted by sodascouts
a song that only about, oh, 4% of fans like
Steady on there!!! Time for a Rumours board poll methinks!
(and .000001% of nomal listeners like) [/B]
lol - Probably not too far off!!;)

[CarneVaca]

Interestingly, where I was living, "Isn't Midnight" got played a lot on what used to be called AOR stations. "Family Man," "Big Love," "Seven Wonders," "Little Lies" and "Everywhere" were also played on the radio as I recall. That's six songs. Not bad. As I recall, "Little Lies," "Family Man" and "Everywhere" were played the most. "Big Love" had a big initial spurt, but then it disappeared.

[seteca]

Family Man is a great song. It's really easy listening for me, and I love that melody. The guitar work speaks for itself. The song reminds of the "Tango In The Night" album more than any other song from that album (if ya see what I mean!). It's totally 80s, and totally cool!:cool:

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

[Phil]

... but "Isn't It Midnight" was released as a single - maybe not on a worldwide scale but definitely in the UK and Europe. I don't recall it charting significantly but it was promoted in terms of various formats (7"; 12"; cassingle; cd single) and the live promo clip. It really ought to have been included on the recent retrospective.

[LindseyRocks]

I actually have a 12 inch single of Family Man on vinyl that I ordered after the Tango Tour. I just love that song. It's sooooo suave and groovy and cool and just makes me want to "get down with my suave self". Makes me want to do a suave little dance in my living room everytime I hear it (and I almost always do).

:cool:

david

[wondergirl9847]

Originally posted by LindseyRocks
It's sooooo suave and groovy and cool and just makes me want to "get down with my suave self. david

:lol: Well, then, get down wit yo bad sef!! LOL I am about to start a thread on a song that I used to HATE, HATE, HATE as a kid and now, I LOVE IT!! Go check out the thread!! I am gettin' down wit my bad sef right now listening to the Slow Dancing remix!! :cool:

[tommer]

Originally posted by LindseyRocks
I actually have a 12 inch single of Family Man on vinyl
david
i have this 12" too, i didn't listen to it since 1988, i don't dare.
i'm afraid that if i do so, it might destroy my entire appreciation to FM.
this song is no great brilliancy to begin with, but within TITN's context it kinda manages to blend in somehow... a small break of discomfort between the perfection of Little Lies and Welcome To The Room...Sara's brillience, but those remixes simply emphasises the fact that this song is FM's most nagging song ever!

[Skylark]

:wavey: My producerly instincts haha! tell me:eek:
Lindsey should re-mix Family Man again
since he is a Family Man at Long LAST!;)

Sing all the great lyrics with the brilliant
Spanish guitar and so forth then stop the
goofy silly dumb stuff and sing:

Mother...Father...SON
and Little Daughter...

Iam... What Iam ......
A Family MAAANNN!!!

It works!!!:cool:He will dedicate it to Kristen!:laugh:
I hope Lindsey reads this brilliant stuff!!!Sky:)