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Artist: Foster the People
Track: Pay the Man

Lyrics
What you mean, what you mean?
What you mean, man, what you mean?
What you mean, yeah, what you see?
What you see, yeah, oh no

Well I need a little something to pull my head off
Need a little something to pull my head off, yeah
Need a little something
Because I've been running from the truth
Will never lose
Lies come from loose teeth
Tied to the noose
Climbing up my own tree hoping it can hold
All the things I've seen but I've chosen to ignore
Well, I said, well I believe I've been well fed, yeah
But the wolf's not dead

Say what you love, it's alright
Don't be afraid to find your light
Embrace the day, like night
We hear the fire
We all go wild again
And you have the name
Of someone I love
You said, just keep it true
Lift up your name
Seasons change
You know it'll never be the same
We'll see the sun again
Before it fades
I just wanna say that I love you

Pay the man, pay the man
Got to pay the man
Run as fast as you can
Call out to God, praise to the Most High
Call out for help 'cause I'm playing with fire
Call out to mountains till my voice goes faint
Echoes through time then goes back with new strength

And when it's raining
We're sailing
Oh yeah, we're sailing
We're sailing

I'm off the leash
I go to war for peace
Must've been touching everything that I can
I've got blood on my hands
Guess I'm going deaf with the cry of this sin
Oh please forgive me I don't understand
We all believe we've been well fed, yeah

The deaf man heard what the mute man said
Then they all followed where the blind man led

Say what you love, it's alright
Don't be afraid to find your light
Embrace the day, like night
We hear the fire
We all go wild again
And you have the name
Of someone I love
You said, just keep it true
Lift up your name
Seasons change
You know it'll never be the same
We'll see the sun again
And before it fades
I just wanna say that I love you

(Pay the man, pay the man, pay the man)
Pay the man, you got to pay the man
Pay the man, you got to pay the man
Pay the man
Well, I was laughing real hard until my teeth fell out
Laughing real hard until my teeth fell out
Was laughing real hard but my teeth fell out
Need a little something
Need a little something
(A little something, little something, little something)

You said, just keep it true
Lift up your name
Seasons change
You know it'll never be the same
We'll see the sun again
Before it fades
I just wanna say that I love you

Can't you see
Can't see me
Can't see me
Can't see me
And can't see me
Can't see me
We all run when the light comes on
Am I wrong, for wanting it all?
But I warned you
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Meanings
Foster the People – Pay the Man
Debuted on Triple J Australia on April 27th, 2017, “Pay the Man” is the first track off of the band’s first release in 3 years (the EP III) and the opening track on Sacred Hearts
Foster the People (Ft. JID & Saba) – Pay the Man (Remix)
[Intro: JID & Mark Foster] / Tell me what's your name, it was nice to meet you (What you need? What you need?) / Gather all your things and you're ready to go (What you need, man
Foster the People – Sit Next to Me
“Sit Next to Me” was released on July 17, 2017, as the last promotional single of Foster the People’s third album Sacred Hearts Club. The song is about frontman Mark Foster trying
Foster the People – Static Space Lover
“Static Space Lover” is the 7th track on Foster the People’s third album Sacred Hearts Club. It is about two lovers that stay on the same point in their relationship. Foster makes
Foster the People – Orange Dream
[Intro] / "Doctor Afro Mal-Funkenstein" / [Instrumental] / [Outro] / "Doctor Funkenstein"
Foster the People – Time to Get Closer
[Verse] / I had been hopeful / That I would have the time to get closer to you / If you wanted me to / Mmm, I feel like crying / The more I think about the times that I tried / To
Foster the People – Loyal Like Sid & Nancy
While the band released their EP III with the intention of “reflecting joy,” “Loyal Like Sid And Nancy,” the first single from Sacred Hearts Club after the three on the EP III
Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks
Robert, the main character and narrator of the song, dreams of violence towards his rich classmates and peers. The song details his plans and ambitions for a school shooting
Foster the People – Imagination
“Imagination” is the third single released by Foster the People in anticipation of their fourth studio album. It was preceded by “Worst Nites” and “Style.” The song was announced
Foster the People – Helena Beat
This song is Foster’s rebellion against his own self-destructive behavior. He both renounces and praises his self-destructive traits, while also talking about his will to survive
Foster the People – SHC
“SHC” is short for Sacred Hearts Club, the title of the band’s third studio album. The subject matter of the song is both a person with whom Mark has a relationship, and God. Many
Foster the People – Lotus Eater
The term Lotus-eater comes from Greek mythology, in which Lotus-eaters were a race of people inhabiting an island where their main food source was lotus plants. Lotus plants were
Foster the People – Warrant
This song follows a criminal, who is being tracked by the police to be arrested and put in jail. He articulates his worries and his fears, his psychological state, and the position
Foster the People – III
“III” is a song about God and Mark’s relationship with Him. III is three in Roman Numerals, referencing the holy Trinity: Father, Spirit, Son. He wonders why he tries to control
Foster the People – Fire Escape
“Fire Escape” is a subdued song about LA, where the band is from. In an interview with NPR, frontman Mark Foster commented on the song: I mean, it’s about LA. It’s about the city
The Knocks & Foster the People – Devil's Haircut
[Verse 1] / Something's wrong 'cause my mind is fading / And everywhere I look, there's a dead end waiting / Temperature's dropping at the rotten oasis / Stealing kisses from the
Foster the People – I Love My Friends
This song is about the superficial society of “friends” we coexist with. Instead of being organically, and emotionally connected with people, in this case, our friends, we tend to
Foster the People – Downtown
[Verse 1] / Hey, turn around, man, I'm gonna take you downtown / If you wanna grab a sack, go ahead and do it / My fear of death was set in place by a lie / I glorified youth as
Foster the People – Waste
Another beautiful and emotional insta-classic from Foster The People. This song is one of their most emotional, honest, and true productions released to date. It deals with his
Foster the People – Doing It for the Money
“Doing It For The Money” is the leading single off of Foster the People’s EP III and the second track on the band’s third studio album Sacred Hearts Club. The song debuted on
Foster the People – Harden the Paint
The message of “Harden the Paint” is clear; Mark is saying that, much like wet paint before it dries, things are uncertain until they happen—wet paint can drip, smear, et cetera
Foster the People – The Truth
This song is about God as He is also known as The Truth. This also shows that the world cannot give you all you need as it is often confusing and lacks any real sense and God has
Foster the People – Houdini
This song is a lyrical representation of Foster’s fears of rejection, and his fierce internal conversation on whether to experiment with his music or just to stick with what he
Foster the People – Pseudologia Fantastica
“Pseudologia Fantastica” was the second single off of Foster The People’s sophomore album Supermodel. Pseudologia Fantastica is another term for pathological lying. The title
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SongTell Meaning
Meaning of "Pay the Man" by Foster the People
The song "Pay the Man" by Foster the People is about taking responsibility for oneself. The lyrics emphasize that it is important to find and embrace one's...
Meaning of "Lotus Eater" by Foster the People
"Lotus Eater" is a song that highlights the speaker's disillusionment with the Hollywood lifestyle and superficial relationships. The lyrics express the id...
Meaning of "Fire Escape" by Foster the People
The song "Fire Escape" by Foster the People is a commentary on the city of Los Angeles and how it can be a difficult place to survive. The fire escape is u...
Meaning of "Static Space Lover" by Foster the People
"Static Space Lover" by Foster the People is a song about a relationship that is in a state of limbo, suspended in time and space. The lyrics describe a co...
Meaning of "Pay the Man" by Foster the People
Foster the People的 "Pay the Man "这首歌是关于为自己负责。歌词强调,重要的是找到并拥抱自己的个性之光,同时认识到别人所走的道路。副歌召唤听众采取行动,坚定地 "说出你的爱,这没什么",并找到自己的路。副歌后来提到演讲者所爱的人,很可能是他的伴侣,并敦促听众保持真实,抬起他们的名...
Meaning of "Are You What You Want to Be?" by Foster the People
The song “Are You What You Want To Be?” by Foster the People is a reflection on life and existentialism. The lyrics tell the story of a man riding around t...
Meaning of "Blur (Remix)" by MØ (Ft. Foster the People)
The song "Blur (Remix)" by MØ (featuring Foster the People) explores feelings of confusion, disorientation, and being trapped in a state of turmoil. The ly...
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SongFacts
Pay the Man by Foster the People - Songfacts
Pay the Man by Foster the People song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People - Songfacts
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
SongMeanings Interpretations
Foster the People - Pay the Man Lyrics
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his ...
Foster the People Lyrics, Songs, Albums And More
Foster the People Lyrics, Songs, Albums And More at SongMeanings! song lyrics ... Pay the Man · 0 · Pick U Up · 0 · Pseudologia Fantastica · 0 · Pumped Up Kicks ...
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks Lyrics
... man that killed Billy the Kid.. especially with the reference to the old ... Pay attention to what someone might actually be saying versus what your un ...
Foster the People - Warrant Lyrics
... man enough to face me I can't stop or argue about what they say Yeah, the warrant's out and I'm gonna pay I said what I'm gonna say. Fear is like a fake ...
Foster the People - Waste Lyrics
Oldest First. Song Meaning. Monsters, devil on your back - they both point to addiction. About liking someone, ...
Foster the People - Downtown Lyrics
Hey, turn around, man, I'm gonna take you downtown. If you wanna grab a sack, go ahead and do it. My fear of death was set in place by a lie
Foster the People - Chin Music for the Unsuspecting Hero Lyrics
Great song!!! Not all that sure what the song is about but i think this song sounds like its about a man who is having a shitty day and not being able to do ...
Foster the People - Fire Escape Lyrics
It's about the city and kind of – I guess to me, “Fire Escape” feels kind of just like the old man on the hill that really doesn't say much but has been kind of ...
Foster the People - Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) Lyrics
As for the song meaning, Mark has stated himself during a live acoustic performance that the song describes what it'd be like if '4 year olds ruled the world'.
Foster the People - Coming of Age Lyrics
I think this song is about a man telling his life story of wanting to protect his pride and but having too much pride, causing him to lose sense of what is ...
Foster the People - Loyal Like Sid and Nancy Lyrics
... man, get away from me. Yeah, hey, man, get away from me oh yeah. Never ask for any favours, nothing I want from you. I've been looking for an answer to keep me ...
Foster the People - Goats in Trees Lyrics
Well I was caught inside the wreck never found my way out. I was filled with indifference. The animals they were getting tired so I sang. Them a song cause ...
Foster the People - Life on the Nickel Lyrics
I love this song. It's about a drug addict, who's trying to earn money but he can't seem to make enough. He steals money/goods from a man to sell, buys ...
Foster the People - Pick U Up Lyrics
... man's out on vacation. Yeah, I'm ducking out. Feel the love. Yeah, we'll take ... It's super easy, we promise! Artists - F · Foster the People · Pick U Up Lyrics ...
Foster the People - Lotus Eater Lyrics
Yeah yeah yeah, man I gotta run! Ooh. Edit Lyrics. Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher. Lotus Eater Lyrics as written by Isom Innis Mark Foster. Lyrics © DOMINO ...
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Genius Artists
Foster the People
Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The group is composed of Mark Foster, Mark Pontius, Sean Cimino and Isom Innis. The group
Foster the People Songs
Foster the People has 119 songs with the most popular being Pumped Up Kicks, Sit Next to Me and Houdini.