It's a Man's Man's Man's World

James Brown

About It's a Man's Man's Man's World

"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" is a song by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Brown recorded it on February 16, 1966 in a New York City studio and released it as a single later that year. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its title is a word play on the 1963 comedy film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.


Year:
1966
768 
#3

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This is a man's world, this is a man's world
But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

You see, man made the cars to take us over the road
Man made the train to carry the heavy load
Man made electric light to take us out of the dark
Man made the boat for the water, like Noah made the ark

This is a man's, man's, man's world
But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

Man thinks about our little bitty baby girls and our baby boys
Man made them happy, 'cause man made them toys
And after man make everything, everything he can
You know that man makes money, to buy from other man

This is a man's world
But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing, not one little thing, without a woman or a girl
He's lost in the wilderness
He's lost in bitterness, he's lost lost

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James Brown

James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of funk music and is a major figure of 20th century popular music and dance. more »

2 fans

Written by: James Brown, Betty Jean Newsome

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Release Date
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" was released in April 1966 as a single.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard R&B chart for 2 weeks.
Co-Writer
The song was written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Newsome wrote the lyrics based on her own observations of male-dominated society.
Album
While it's known as a prominent single, the song is also the title track of James Brown's 1966 album, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World."
Grammy Hall of Fame
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.
Later Samples
Many artists have sampled this song in their work, including Christina Aguilera and Michael Bublé.
Movie Feature
The song was used in the soundtrack for the 2006 film, "Rocky Balboa".
Influence
Rolling Stone magazine ranked "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" at number 123 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time in 2004.
Cover versions
The song has been covered by many artists including Cher, Seal, Alicia Keys, and Etta James.
Live Performances
James Brown performed the song live at the Boston Garden concert in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr's assassination in 1968, a performance often lauded for helping keep peace in Boston.
Themes
The lyrics identify men's achievements (invention, art, etc.), but emphasize that these mean nothing without a woman's love.
Critical Reception
Despite being a commercial success, the song received mixed critical reviews for its chauvinistic perspective upon release.
Vocals
The song is notable for featuring Brown's impassioned and melancholic delivery, effectively conveying both awe and yearning.
Instrumentation
The song combines elements of gospel, soul, and blues, featuring piano, drums, a prominent horn section, and signature rhythmic guitar playing.
Impact
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" is considered a classic and one of Brown's signature songs. It helped further establish him as the "Godfather of Soul."

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    "It's a Man's Man's Man's World Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/151190/James+Brown/It%27s+a+Man%27s+Man%27s+Man%27s+World>.

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    It's a Man's Man's Man's World

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #8


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