Released: 2009
Break it down, “Man On The Moon” is Kid Cudi expressing his struggles with society’s expectations and his own self-doubt, all while reaffirming his unique identity. He positions himself as an outsider, misunderstood and alienated – akin to a man on the moon, distant and detached from the world.
In the first verse, Cudi vibes about not caring about others’ opinions, yet, being human, admits he “kinda did”. He reflects the inner turmoil he faced, feeling required to fit into societal norms while suppressing his authentic self. He ponders, if he was more ‘simple-minded’ or a ‘jerk’, would he be accepted more? This is all about societal pressure to mold into ‘accepted’ behavior. His phrase “I wasn’t a good guy to begin with” hits at the misconception often painted of those who refuse conformity.
The chorus takes us further into Cudi’s mind. He feels alien, as though he’s from ‘above’, an outsider watching the world as an ‘airplane in the sky’ or a ‘bird sitting high’. When he confides, “I be that man on the moon”, it’s his declaration of his alienation and loneliness. He’s the man on the moon, far from earth, watching and pondering about humankind.
Cudi’s second verse moves into the theme of artistic integrity and individuality. He talks about the feedback he gets about his music, about it sounding ‘different’. People question and criticize his unique approach to music, seeing it as ‘a bad thing’. But Cudi embraces his uniqueness, his difference. His response, “Why not, nigga?”, is a defiant question challenging the fear of standing out and being different.
He goes on to evoke strong sentiment in lines like “The ones that make it complicated, Never get congratulated” expressing a yearning for simplicity, and how it’s often the complex characters who go unnoticed. Cudi’s transparency about his intentions, “Don’t want a woman just to love her assets, I’ll still wife her up, even with her flat chest”, is a critique of society’s shallow perception of love and beauty.
Overall, “Man On The Moon” is an introspective journey revealing Kid Cudi’s feelings of being an outsider, struggling with societal expectations, and finding solace in his alienation. Ultimately, Cudi is affirming his individuality, reminding himself and us, to do what we do, stand out and embrace the difference. And that’s the beauty of this track.
