What Kinda Guy?

Song Meaning

Steve Forbert's "What Kinda Guy?" isn't striving for profound philosophical insight; instead, it's a playfully honest, almost Seinfeldian, exploration of identity through seemingly trivial contradictions. The song meaning resides not in grand pronouncements but in the accumulation of small details. Forbert presents a man defined by what he consumes (turkey, ham, but decidedly *not* lamb or sweet potato), what he wears (jacket, but sans tie), and what he *doesn't* do (wear pajamas, sniff glue). These quirky preferences, delivered with a self-aware chuckle, paint a portrait of a man grappling with self-definition in a world that demands easy categorization. He's a Mississippi man with the New York blues, a lover, but not a 'slut' – straddling identities, resisting labels. The genius of "What Kinda Guy?" lies in its embrace of the absurd. The repeated question, "What kinda guy am I really?" isn't posed with angst or existential dread. It's more of a rhetorical shrug, a recognition that human beings are complex, contradictory creatures, impossible to fully pin down. The harmonica and dobro solos serve as sonic punctuation, giving the listener space to consider the inherent silliness of trying to define oneself through dietary habits or fashion choices. The lyrics analysis reveals a deeper truth: identity is fluid, ever-evolving, and often built on seemingly random preferences. Ultimately, Steve Forbert uses humor as a tool for self-acceptance. The song suggests that it's okay to be a walking contradiction, to love turkey but hate lamb, to lose your tie but keep your jacket. The final, slightly garbled repetition of "am I really am" underscores the inherent uncertainty of self-knowledge. "What Kinda Guy?" isn't searching for a definitive answer; it's celebrating the beautiful messiness of being human.