Too Good for the Average Man

Song Meaning

Blossom Dearie's "Too Good for the Average Man" isn't just a wry observation; it's a razor-sharp dissection of class disparity, served with a deceptively sweet vocal delivery. The song’s seeming lightness belies a core of social critique that feels as relevant today as it likely did when first performed. Dearie, with her signature knowing wink, exposes the absurd privileges afforded to the wealthy, framing them not as earned rewards, but as almost comical excesses deliberately kept out of reach for the 'average man.' The introductory historical vignettes, contrasting the excesses of Russian aristocracy and Tudor England with the plight of the masses, establish a historical precedent for inequality that permeates the entire song. It suggests that such disparities are not aberrations but deeply ingrained societal structures. The lyrics cleverly highlight specific examples of this inequality, ranging from the superficial ('caviar for peasants is a joke') to the more profound ('fancy nerves are for the fancy class'). The recurring refrain, "It's too good for the average man," becomes a sardonic mantra, underlining the deliberate exclusion of the working class from the finer things in life – and even from the supposed benefits of modern advancements like psychiatry and plastic surgery. Dearie doesn't just point out the material differences; she exposes how even psychological well-being and self-improvement become commodities accessible only to those with means. The bridge sections, with their references to marital expectations and birth control, further underscore how social norms and reproductive rights are unequally distributed, reinforcing class boundaries. Ultimately, “Too Good for the Average Man” operates on multiple levels. It's a clever, musically sophisticated jazz standard, but also a potent commentary on social stratification and the ways in which privilege is maintained. Dearie's performance is key; her detached, almost nonchalant delivery allows the lyrics to sting without ever becoming preachy. The song avoids outright condemnation, instead relying on irony and wit to expose the inherent unfairness of a system that deems certain experiences and opportunities "too good" for the majority. It’s a reminder that behind the veneer of sophistication and elegance often lies a stark reality of inequality, a reality that Dearie confronts with both grace and incisive social awareness.