Jarad Higgins, known to the world as Juice WRLD, had a way of making pain sound like a party. It’s a rare talent. Most people just sound sad when they’re sad, but Juice? He turned it into an anthem. When we look at the Man of the Year lyrics, we aren't just looking at a pop-punk-infused rap track; we’re looking at the chaotic, triumphant, and ultimately tragic snapshot of a young man at the peak of his powers who knew exactly how fragile it all was.
The song serves as the energetic closer to his posthumous album, Legends Never Die. It’s bouncy. It’s loud. It feels like a 2000s skater flick soundtrack. But if you actually listen to what he’s saying, the vibe is a bit more complicated than the upbeat production suggests.
The Dual Versions of the Man of the Year Lyrics
Here is something that messes with people: there are actually two versions of this song. If you’ve been listening on Spotify or Apple Music since the album dropped in July 2020, you might have noticed the lyrics changed suddenly a few days after release.
Why? Because the fans—and the estate—realized there was a different cut that felt more "Juice."
The "original" version that first hit streaming had a second verse that felt a bit more polished. But then, it was swapped for a version containing the "big dick" line and references to "buzzing like a lightbulb." It’s raw. It’s goofy. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of freestyle-heavy energy Juice was known for. This version also tweaked the outro, making it feel more like a celebration of life rather than a somber goodbye.
Why the punk-rock sound?
Juice wasn't just a rapper. He was a product of the mid-2000s. He grew up on Billy Idol and Panic! At The Disco just as much as he did on Future and Chief Keef. You can hear that DNA in the Man of the Year lyrics and the heavy guitar riffs produced by Rex Kudo and heavy hitters like Skrillex.
The song captures a specific feeling: the "Man of the Year" who still feels like he's losing. It’s the paradox of fame. He's got the "cheers from the crowd," but he’s also "having problems with his soul." That isn't just a clever line. It was his reality.
🔗 Read more: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Breaking Down the Core Themes
The hook is where the irony hits hardest. He claims he’s the man of the year, but then immediately admits he has "too many fears."
Usually, when a rapper claims "Man of the Year" status—think Schoolboy Q—it’s a victory lap. Juice, however, uses it as a shield. He’s acknowledging the accolades while admitting that the internal pressure is mounting. The line about "pills in my pocket" isn't a boast. By 2019, it was a cry for help that many of us, unfortunately, danced to without realizing the weight of the words.
- The Weight of Expectations: He mentions "knowing his lyrics are saving lives," which is a huge burden for a 21-year-old.
- The Escape: He talks about his girlfriend, Ally Lotti, being his "home." It's one of the few places in the song where he sounds grounded.
- The Nihilism: There’s a sense of "if it ends, it ends" throughout the track.
Juice often recorded in one take. He didn't sit down with a pen and paper. He’d walk into the booth, hear the beat, and pour out his subconscious. That’s why the Man of the Year lyrics feel so conversational. They aren't "written." They’re felt.
The Cultural Impact of the Track
When Legends Never Die debuted, it wasn't just another album. It was a cultural moment. People were stuck inside during the pandemic, and Juice’s music provided a weirdly comforting outlet for all that collective anxiety.
"Man of the Year" became the "happy" song on a very heavy record. It’s the one you play when you want to remember the kid from Chicago who conquered the world, rather than the tragic figure who left it too soon.
According to various Billboard reports and streaming data from 2020 through 2024, "Man of the Year" remains one of his most-streamed tracks precisely because it bridges the gap between different genres. It appeals to the kids who like blink-182 and the kids who like Lil Uzi Vert. It’s a rare Venn diagram.
💡 You might also like: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Misconceptions about the meaning
Some people think this song is purely about arrogance. It’s not. If you look at the bridge, he talks about his "mind running" and feeling like he’s "stuck in a cage."
A man of the year shouldn't feel like he’s in a cage.
That’s the nuance. He’s acknowledging that he has everything he ever wanted—the money, the fame, the girl—but the "demons" he mentioned in earlier hits like "Lucid Dreams" didn't go away just because he became a superstar. They just got more expensive.
The Production Magic Behind the Lyrics
Rex Kudo, who worked on the track, has talked about how Juice’s energy was infectious. The beat was designed to be "stadium-sized."
The guitars are distorted. The drums are aggressive. It’s meant to be played at max volume. When you scream the Man of the Year lyrics in a car or at a concert (or a tribute show), you’re participating in a ritual of catharsis.
"Man of the year, still got problems / Lookin' in the mirror, you look like a goblin."
📖 Related: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
It’s self-deprecating. It’s funny. It’s heartbreaking.
How to Truly Appreciate Juice WRLD's Penmanship
If you really want to understand the impact of this song, you have to look at the context of his entire discography. He wasn't trying to be the best lyricist in terms of "multisyllabic rhyme schemes" or complex metaphors. He was trying to be the most honest.
The Man of the Year lyrics are a masterclass in vulnerability masked as bravado. He tells you he’s the best while telling you he’s a mess.
Most artists spend years trying to find that balance. Juice did it in a ten-minute freestyle session.
What to do next
To get the full experience of the song, don't just stick to the version on the main album. Go find the "v1" and "v2" comparisons on YouTube. Seeing how the estate changed the lyrics gives you a peek into the creative process of an artist who left behind thousands of unreleased songs.
Also, check out the music video. It’s a mix of behind-the-scenes footage and animation that really drives home the "rockstar" persona he was embracing toward the end.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
- Listen for the "Slight" Differences: Compare the lyrics on Genius to what you hear on the current Spotify version. You’ll see exactly where the edits happened.
- Explore the Influences: If you like the sound of this track, dive into some early 2000s pop-punk. Bands like Yellowcard or Sum 41 are the spiritual ancestors of this specific Juice WRLD sound.
- Understand the Legacy: Recognize that "Man of the Year" isn't just a title. It was a prophecy and a burden. Juice WRLD really was the man of the year, even if he didn't live to see the full extent of his reign.
The song is a reminder that success doesn't fix everything. It just changes the scenery. Jarad Higgins knew that better than anyone, and he left us the Man of the Year lyrics as a final, high-energy lesson.
Actionable Insight: If you're a musician or a creator, take a page from Juice's book: don't be afraid to be messy. The "perfect" version of this song wasn't what the fans wanted—they wanted the raw, unpolished, "goblin-referencing" version because it felt real. Authenticity beats polish every single time.