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Released in 1991

Playboy To A Man

Written by Paul McCartneyDeclan MacManus / Elvis Costello

Last updated on March 18, 2017


Album This song officially appears on the Mighty Like a Rose Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1987, when Paul McCartney was 45 years old)

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:


Lyrics

You had your own way one too many times and now

You're going to find out what it's like

Just what it's like, now you're a mess

You wanted something you could never possess

You went your own way one too many nights

You treated her like some small oversight

What in the world makes her think that she can

Turn you from a playboy into a man


She's going to make you suffer tonight

To turn you from a playboy into a man

And when you're worthy of her then she might

Turn you from a playboy into a man

Turn you from a playboy into a man


You thought you were the answer to her prayers

The perfect gift that every girl prefers

But that's the trouble 'cos every girl

Still thinks you're her's

So there you are with your gold chains jangling

Your lucky charms and your jewelry dangling

But when she saw you she turned and ran

To turn you from a playboy into a man


She's going to make you suffer tonight

Turn you from a playboy into a man

And when you're worthy of her then she might

Turn you from a playboy into a man

Turn you from a playboy into a man

Turn you from a playboy into a man


You couldn't see that the juvenile things that you do

Would drag you down and now that the joke's on you

You're pretty cold and you end as you start

When your facade isn't falling apart

So now you're standing in your underwear

Well now you know just how it feels for her

You're halfway there you know that she can

Turn you from a playboy into a man


She's going to make you suffer tonight

Turn you from a playboy into a man

And when you're worthy of her then she might

Turn you from a playboy into a man

Turn you from a playboy into a man

Turn you from a playboy into a man


Playboy

Playboy

Playboy

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.


Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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