take it like a man

back to lb hub

info

  • this text (normal) just means the lyrics were used in the previous iteration with no alterations
  • this text means it is a brand new lyric that was added in
  • this text means a previous lyric that was cut was brought back
  • this text means it is an unchanged lyric that was moved to a different part of the song

Each is divided from the show/production they were first heard in. Since not every single show was recorded, the dates are not entirely accurate. "Post [date]" just means that while it was used in the date of the show listed, at some point before the next show is when changes were made

Everything is sung/spoken until it's marked for them as spoken/sung, until it's marked as sung/spoken again, etc.

Demo Version (2005) [Ver. 1]

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a men's store


[Emmett]

More like a church...

Our lady of retail


[Elle]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[spoken]

Don't be afraid!


[sung]

Look at them smile

Won't hurt a bit

They're here to find you that one perfect fit

You've come this far, might as well submit


So, prepare

And once we fix that hair

We promise


Here you'll become who you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[spoken]

Emmett, look!


[sung]

Warm as a bath

Soft as a kiss

When have you ever felt fabric like this?

Ready for your metamorphosis?

Try it on!


Mmm, oh yeah!


Now stand up straight

Try on those shoes

No, these ones

You don't mix your browns with your blues


Hey, ugly duckling, have I got news?

You're a swan!

The geek is gone!

'Cause mister


Here you'll become who you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      God, I hate shopping for me

Behind every aisle there's a new surprise /

      I wanna flee

Through the displays we can glide

While I'm beaming with pride

At the gleaming young guy by my side


God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, I look nice

Second most favourite exercise /

      Is this the price?

I forget how much I learn /

      Eyes are starting to burn

Every time I return


[Emmett, spoken]

How much do you think I earn?!


[Elle]

Kindly shut up

This is on me

I'm paying off this week's tutoring fee

Thanks for your time and your company

Thanks for today


[Emmett]

Okay...


[Elle, spoken]

No, really


[sung]

You can't conceive

How much I've missed

Smelling cologne on a masculine wrist

Now put on that tie before I get pissed

And let's pay


[Emmett, sung / Elle]

Let's pay /

      Let's go and play

[Both]

Here you'll become who you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

Listen, that guy's not even close to me


[Elle]

I think we're just about to set him free

Already, I'm a fan

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

Your chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

Take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Promotional CD (2006) [Ver. 2]

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the fragrance from Chanel?


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

Don't be afraid

You're here with me

You can have anything here that you see

I'm gonna treat you like royalty


So, prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

Where do I look?

Boy, am I lost

What do I want and how much does it cost?

What kind of line have I finely crossed?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

Those I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

Okay, then what the hell

I'm with Elle!


[Both]

Here you'll become who you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      This is very strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

Your confidence grows

You'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

That guy's not anywhere close to me


[Elle]

You could be him if you chose to be

And I'm his greatest fan

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

Your chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Jan 23, 2007 [Ver. 3]
(used up until Feb 1, 2007)

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the new fragrance from Chanel


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

Don't be afraid

You're here with me

You can have anything here that you see

I'm gonna treat you like royalty


So, prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

Where do I look?

I think I'm lost

What do I want and how much will it cost?

What kind of line have I finely crossed?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

That I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

I'm in the hands of Elle!

What the hell!


[Both]

Here you'll become who you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, this is strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

His confidence grows

He'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't change that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

That guy's not anywhere close to me


[Elle]

You could be him if you chose to be

And I'm his greatest fan

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

It's a chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Feb 1, 2007 [Ver. 4]
(used up until sometime past Feb 10, 2007)

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the new fragrance from Chanel


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

I know you're scared

Nevertheless

Think of the people you want to impress

You said you trust me, so just nod yes


And prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

What do I want?

Not really sure

Why can't we leave things the way that they were?

Why can I never say no to her?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

That I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

I'm in the hands of Elle

What the hell!


[Both]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, this is strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

His confidence grows

He'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes!

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't change that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

That guy's not anywhere close to me


[Elle]

You could be him if you chose to be

And I'm his greatest fan

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

It's a chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Post Feb 10, 2007 [Ver. 5]
(used up until sometime after Feb 13, 2007)

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the new fragrance from Chanel


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

Asking for help

That's what you hate

That's why you're shy and your tie's never straight

I'm on your side, so your pride can wait


Now, prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

What does she want?

Not really sure

Why can't we leave things the way that they were?

Why can I never say no to her?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

That I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

I'm in the hands of Elle

What the hell!


[Both]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, this is strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

His confidence grows

He'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes!

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't change that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

Not quite the guy I'd have chose to be

Still when she's standing so close to me

I kinda I like her plan


[Elle]

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

It's a chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Post Feb 13, 2007 [Ver. 6]
(used up until Feb 16, 2007)

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the new fragrance from Chanel


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

Asking for help

That's what you hate

That's why you're shy and your tie's never straight

I'm on your side, so your pride can wait


Now, prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

What does she want?

Not really sure

Why can't we leave things the way that they were?

Why can I never say no to her?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

That I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

I'm in the hands of Elle

What the hell!


[Both]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, this is strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

His confidence grows

He'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes!

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't change that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

Not quite the guy I'd have chose to be

But when she's standing so close to me

I think I like her plan


[Elle]

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

It's a chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

Feb 16, 2007 [Ver. 7]
(current version)

[Emmett, spoken]

What is this place?


[Elle, spoken]

It's called... a department store


[Emmett]

It's... it's beautiful


[Elle, sung]

Shh...

First, a deep breath

Take it all in

Feel all those halogens warming your skin


Smell how they pump in pure oxygen

See, they care


[Salesperson, spoken]

Love?


[Emmett]

Excuse me?


[Salesperson]

Love, the new fragrance from Chanel


[Emmett]

Oh... No, thank you


[Elle]

I know you're scared

Nevertheless

Think of the people you want to impress

Swallow your pride for me

Just nod yes


And prepare

'Cause something's in the air


[Emmett]

I think it's 'love'


[Elle, spoken]

Exactly!


[sung]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Emmett, sung]

What does she want?

Not really sure

Why can't we leave things the way that they were?

Why can I never say no to her?

[spoken]

What's that smell?


[Salesperson, spoken]

Subtext...

By Calvin Klein


[Emmett, sung]

That I don't like

That's kinda neat

Guys who wear that get beat up on my street


Still, I've come this far

I can't retreat in my shell

I'm in the hands of Elle

What the hell!


[Both]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be

Here's your chance to make it

So take it like a man


[Elle / Emmett]

God, I love shopping for guys! /

      Okay, this is strange

Watching them change right before my eyes /

      Don't watch me change

Look at him striking a pose

His confidence grows

He'll bloom like a rose /

      It's just clothes!

God, I love shopping for men! /

      Okay, this is nice

They walk in a two, they walk out a ten /

      Is this the price?

Don't worry, this is my treat

There's someone I'd like you to meet


[Both, spoken]

Whoa


[Emmett]

I look like Warner


[Elle]

Yeah...


[Emmett]

But it's just me


[Elle, sung]

That's the best part

The outside is new

But now it reflects what's already in you

Couldn't change that if I wanted to

And I do not


[Emmett]

Thank you


[Elle, spoken]

No, thank you


[sung]

This is no gift

It's payment in kind

'Cause you saw beyond all the blonde to my mind

Oh, we've got to buy this!

What, are you blind?

You look hot!

Is he not hot?


[Salespeople]

He's hot, hot, hot, hot!


[All]

Here you'll become what you're supposed to be

You think you can't, but you can

Think of the guy you want most to be


[Emmett]

Not quite the guy I'd have chose to be

But when she's standing so close to me

I think I like her plan


[Elle]

Here's your chance to make it


[Emmett]

It's a chance to make it


[Elle]

So take it like


[Emmett]

So take it like


[Both]

A man

A man

A man

A man

song info

Different Versions: 7

Sung by: Elle, Emmett, Salespeople

Times Each Was Used:

Ver 1: 1
Ver 2: 1
Ver 3: 5 recorded, up to 10
Ver 4: 5 recorded, up to 10
Ver 5: 1 recorded, up to 3
Ver 6: 1 recorded, up to 2
Ver 7: a lot

my thoughts

This is my second favourite song in the musical! I love the vibe of it and it's probably the one I've listened to the most. I love the development it provides for Elle and Emmett's relationship in the way that Chip on My Shoulder did. Instead of Emmett helping Elle, though, it's about Elle helping Emmett. It just highlights how much they can learn from one another since they're pretty different in terms of what they're best at. I love it when relationships are built off the foundation of learning from one another and growing together. It's super special!