Say Man

Bo Diddley

About Say Man

"Say Man" is a song by American musician Bo Diddley. Written under his real name of Ellas McDaniel, it was recorded by Bo Diddley in 1959 and released as a single on Checker 931. The recording became his biggest US pop hit, reaching number 20 on the Hot 100, and number three on the R&B chart. It arose from a jam session between Diddley and his maracas player Jerome Green, and featured Diddley and Green trading insults in the style of the word game known as The Dozens. Bo Diddley said of the song: "A lot of the things I did in the Chess studios, we were just goofin' around. .. They played it back, and it shocked all of us! Of course, they cut out all the dirty parts." Music critic Maury Dean, while rejecting the idea that the track is "the first rap song", says that it is "the first major soul tune to feature a total spoken patter of pal put-downs to a rockin' beat.... Bo's lightning right hand chops chords like sugar cane. The incessant beat throbs into the hot American evening nocturne of streetwise savvy. Rap - with a side of ghetto-blast humor."The recording also appeared on the album Go Bo Diddley. 


Year:
2000
3:16
80 

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Say man
What's that boy?
I want to tell you about your girlfriend,
What about my girl?
But you don't look strong enough to take the message
I'm strong enough
I might hurt your feelings
My feelings already hurt by bein' here with you
Well, I was walking down the street with your girl the other day
Uh-huh
And the wind was blowin' real hard
Is that right?
And the wind blew her hair into my face
Uh-huh
Hee-hee, you know what else happened?
What happened?
The wind blew her hair into her face
Yeah?
And we went a little further; you want to hear the rest of it?
I might as well...

The wind blew her hair into the street!
Hey, since you told me about my girl I'm gonna tell you about yours
I was walking down the street with your girl
Yeah?
I took her home, for a drink, you know
Took her home?
Yeah, just for a drink
Oh

But that chick looked so ugly she had to sneak up on a glass to get a drink of water
Hah-hah-hah-hah, well, you've got the nerve to call somebody ugly
Why you're so ugly the stork that brought you into the world ought to be arrested
That's alright
My mama didn't have to put a sheet over my head so sleep could slip up on me

Hey, looky here
What's that?
Where you from?
South America
What's that?
South America
You don't look like no South American to me
I'm still from South America
What part?
South Texas
Hah-hah-hah, where your western boots at?
I've got 'em on
Them ain't no boots you got on, they're broke in

Hey, looky here
What's that?
I've been trying to figure out what you is
I already figured out what you is
What's that?
You that thing I throw peanuts at
Ha-ha!
Hey, looky here
What's that?
You should be ashamed of yourself
Why?
Calling people ugly
I didn't calling you ugly
What'd you say?
I said you was ruined that's all
Oh, man, you know somethin'?
What?
You look like you been whupped with an ugly stick
Man, I ain't got nothin' to do with this but
I believe you're tellin' right

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Bo Diddley

Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter (usually as Ellas McDaniel), and rock and roll pioneer. He was also known as The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock, influencing a host of acts, including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton,Elvis Presley,The Beatles, and George Michael, among others. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple, five-accent rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop. Accord… more »

3 fans

Written by: ELLAS MCDANIEL

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Genres
"Say Man" is a song by Bo Diddley that is classified in the genres of Rhythm and Blues (R&B), Rock and Roll, and Chicago Blues.
Release Date
The song was released in 1959, at a time when these music styles were gaining much popularity.
Chart Performance
It was the only record by Bo Diddley in the top 20 of America's Billboard magazine popular music charts, where it peaked at number 20.
The Sound
"Say Man" was a bit unique in comparison to Bo Diddley's earlier work. It was more humorous and less lyrically dense, leaning a lot on back-and-forth dialogue.
Album
The song was a part of Bo Diddley's self-titled debut album, "Bo Diddley".
Song's Dialogue
The song's vocal track consisted of a "humorous trash talk", with Diddley and his co-performer trading insinuations, a style that was often heard in African American verbal dueling tradition.
The Artists
Bo Diddley's real name was Ellas McDaniel, and he's known as one of the biggest influencers for the rock and roll genre in the United States during the mid-20th century.
Origins
The song, like many of Bo Diddley's works, was developed from a skit in Diddley's live show rather than being conceived as a recording.
Grammy Fame
In recognition of his significant contribution to American music, Bo Diddley was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, where "Say Man" is among his revered collection.
Legacy
"Say Man" is celebrated as an artifact of cultural expression, showcasing characteristic rhythmic patterns and spoken language play of African-American culture.

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    Say Man

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1959

    Billboard #20


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