I saw this in a Leonard Cohen's lyrics. I wonder if it means anything in particular in the English language.
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1You should include the title of the song and quote a longer section of the lyrics for context.– KillingTimeCommented May 25, 2022 at 6:10
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Sorry, the first question ever. Yes, I can indeed. "The rain falls down on last year's man." The song is called 'Last Year's man', from the Songs of Love and Hate record.– Gabriel AlmadaCommented May 25, 2022 at 6:11
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It's a fair question, but the answer, I think, is that there is no generalized sense in English of "last year's man" as a set phrase. Cohen's meaning is contextually discernible (arguably), but it is his own.– Sven YargsCommented Jun 11, 2022 at 18:08
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1 Answer
Similar to 'last years fashion', a man who was popular and successful last year, but is now no longer relevant.
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Thank you, my friend. I leave you here with a bit more, but I get what you said. "The rain falls down on last year's man. That's a Jew's harp on the table That's a crayon in his hand." That is the first verse, later he says "And the skylight is like skin for a drum I'll never mend. And all the rain falls down amen. On the works of last year's man." Commented May 25, 2022 at 6:24
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The song might have more to do with the singer's personal state than success or fashion – it could mean that they haven't moved on emotionally. But it's a matter of opinion what song lyrics mean. Commented May 25, 2022 at 8:05