After yesterday's Helen Reddy track, let's compare that brave feminist anthem to a similar-era powerful man cry, performed here with Hammond-heavy brilliance by Stevie Winwood and co from 1967. The title track from the band's summer 1967 album and a hit earlier that year, co-written and producer Jimmy Miller, the picture of manhood portrayed is of muscular unsophistication, the man who can't help himself but display his lust and emotions, but also be self-conscious, on the prowl and superficial. And yet the music itself is far more cultured than the creature - superb syncopation, sparse but powerful bass, that organ sound, great guitar work, and of course the soulful voice of young Winwood – thought by many who'd only heard him on the radio to be the next top black soul singer. Massively influential on many other artists, including Paul Weller.
Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my chin
Never had no problems 'cause I've always paid the rent
I got no time for lovin'
Cause my time is all used up
I stand outside creatin'
All the groovy kinds of love
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
If I had my choice of matter
I'd would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Showing where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong the love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I've got to keep my image
While I'm standing on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I've never had no problems
'Cause my body's pretty strong
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
If I had my choice of matter
I would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Showin' where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong your love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I gotta keep my image
While I'm standin' on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I never had no problems
'Cause my body's pretty strong
I'm a man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so.
Want to suggest songs for Song of the Day or to say anything about it? Does this song make you think of something else? Then feel free to comment below, on the contact page, or on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. Please subscribe, follow and share.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...