Man of the World

Fleetwood Mac

About Man of the World

"Man of the World" is a song recorded by Fleetwood Mac in 1969, and composed by vocalist and lead guitarist Peter Green. Having signed to Immediate Records that year, the label collapsed shortly after the single's release. As such, "Man of the World" is the only Fleetwood Mac song under the Immediate label. "Man of the World" first appeared as a Fleetwood Mac single in various countries in 1969, subsequently appearing on the Greatest Hits album in 1971. It later featured on the 1992 boxed set 25 Years – The Chain, and on the 2002 compilation albums The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac and The Best of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. A slightly different version of the song was included on the 1998 compilation The Vaudeville Years. In 2019, the band played the song live for the first time in 50 years during the Australian leg of their An Evening with Fleetwood Mac tour. 


Year:
2007
2:49
62 
#1

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Shall I tell you about my life
They say I'm a man of the world
I've flown across every tide
And I've seen lots of pretty girls

I guess I've got everything I need
I wouldn't ask for more
And there's no one I'd rather be
But I just wish that I'd never been born

And I need a good woman
To make me feel like a good man should
I don't say I'm a good man
Oh, but I would be if I could

I could tell you about my life
And keep you amused I'm sure
About all the times I've cried
And how I don't want to be sad anymore
And how I wish I was in love

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band formed in 1967 in London. Due to numerous line-up changes, the only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood. Despite band founder Peter Green naming the group by combining the surnames of two of his former bandmates (Fleetwood, McVie) from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, bassist John McVie played neither on their first single nor at their first concerts. The keyboardist, Christine McVie, who joined the band in 1970 while married to John McVie, appeared on all but two albums, either as a member or as a session musician. She also supplied the artwork for the album Kiln House. more »

29 fans

Written by: Peter Green

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Title & Artists
"Man of the World" is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. It was penned and performed by the band's original lead guitarist, Peter Green.
Release Date
The song was released on the 7th of March 1969 as a single.
Record Label
The song was produced and distributed by the Immediate record label in the UK and was later distributed by the Epic label for its U.S. release.
Chart Performance
"Man of the World" had an excellent chart performance. It reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart, remaining there for five weeks.
Song Theme
The song lyrics show a contemplative melancholy theme, with Green contemplating fame, loneliness, and existential angst in its lyrics.
Song Style
The song exhibits a blend of slow, melancholic verses and an upbeat chorus, showing Peter Green's ability to blend emotions and musical styles.
Song Length
The song was rather short for its times, with a duration of only 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
Album Release
Intriguingly, despite its popularity, the song was not initially included on any studio album. It however later appeared on numerous Fleetwood Mac compilations.
Song Inspiration
Some music historians believe that "Man of the World" reflects Peter Green's discomfort with the materialistic wealth he gained from his successful music career.
Music Video
The music video for the song was one of the first to be directed by Peter Whitehead, a notable documentary maker and video artist.
Peter Green’s Departure
Peter Green left Fleetwood Mac shortly after the release of "Man of the World," citing an increasing dissatisfaction with the music business and his struggle with mental health issues.
Personal Struggles
In the 1990s, Green confessed that "Man of the World" was an expression of his own feelings related to his success, struggling with mental health issues, and issues of identity.
Contemporary Influence
"Man of the World" has been covered numerous times by different artists including Noel Gallagher, the frontman of Oasis, indicating its enduring influence.
In Popular Culture
The track was used in a 2009 British television advert campaign for a digital TV subscription company, reintroducing it to a younger audience.
Legacy
Despite being over 50 years old, "Man of the World" is still considered one of Fleetwood Mac's most iconic songs and is a testament to Peter Green's exceptional songwriting and performing abilities.

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