Page type: lyric reference
Artist: David Byrne
Canonical path: /david-byrne/a-self-made-man
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
A Self-Made Man
Read A Self-Made Man lyrics by David Byrne on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
A Self-Made Man
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
We're living in a dump
Trying to figure out what sex we are
Exchanging chromosomes
Trying to bargain for a better future
Well I'll trade you my potential mental
illness for your bad teeth
How 'bout trading your sexy body for a
full head of hair
Well we can't predict the future
But we're trying to do the best that we can
My cards are on the table
I'm gambling ev'rything that I am
And some of us are hoping
To end up with a perfect life
I'll trade you ev'rything that I got
For the chance to be someone else
And what you see is what you get
And what you get is what you choose
And what I am
What you see
Is exactly what I chose to be
And now we got a black market
A black market in designer genes
The most beautiful, most intelligent
Criminals you've ever seen
And now you're payin' top dollar
For what you used to get for free
They'll stun you with their looks
And charm you with effortless ease
They've taken ev'rything from you
The way that you walk
The way that you smile
The sound of your voice
Don't even know
Who you are
Who are you now?
Who are you now?
I'm a self made man, I'm a self made man
I'm a self made man (I've got nothing left to give)
I'm a self made man (I've got nothing left to lose)
On down the hallway
The freaks are waiting for you
Somebody calls me
The freaks are waitin' for you
The clown will laugh in your face
Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
The clown will laugh in your face
Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
The clown will laugh in your face
Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "A Self-Made Man"?
David Byrne performs "A Self-Made Man", and this lyric page sits inside the David Byrne catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "A Self-Made Man"?
Yes. The related section below points to Forro In The Dark (Asa Branca) and Tiny Town with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by David Byrne?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through David Byrne's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on A Self-Made Man yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.