[Verse 1]

What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew
Bar fights and careless one-night stands
Oh, we did not know
Cheap thrills, and pharmaceuticals, just going with the flow
What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew back then

[Chorus]

We were raising hell at school
By twenty-one so damn cool
At twenty-five, we gotta run with those lies
But now the time, better realize

[Refrain]

What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew back then
What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew

[Chorus]
Raising hell at school
By twenty-one, so damn cool
At twenty-five. we gotta run with those lies
But now the time, better realize

[Refrain]

Now it's time to let it go, son
What it takes, I wanna know
Oh

[Instrumental]


[Verse 2]

What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew
Bar fights and rock champions
Oh, we did not know
Cheap thrills and pharmaceuticals
Just going with the flow
What it takes to be a man
Oh, I wish I knew back then

[Chorus]
We were raising hell at school
By twenty-one, so damn cool
At twenty-five, we gotta run with those lies
But now the time, better realize

[Verse 3]

So, say hello to your blues
So glamorized and untrue
And say goodbye to those well-known lies
And brother, one day I hope you realize

[Outro]

What it takes to be a man
What it takes to be a man
What it takes to be a man
What it takes to be a man