Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

Robert Palmer

About Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

"Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is a calypso song variously credited as being composed by Norman Span (King Radio), D. L. Miller, F. Kuhn, and Charles Harris. Span's authorship seems most likely since, as a popular calypso musician and songwriter, he first recorded the song in 1936, and none of the other ascribed composers are associated with calypso. Miller's music industry career began around 1950. Artists from many genres, including Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, the Carpenters, Rosanne Cash, Chubby Checker, Dr Victor, Robert Palmer, and Ratdog, have recorded the song. It was a staple of the live repertoire of the Grateful Dead from 1981 to 1995. Belafonte's first of three recordings of the song was included on his best-selling album Calypso, which reached number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart in 1956, and remained on the chart for 31 weeks. Span is credited as the song's composer on Belafonte's albums. It is sung by Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, William Frawley and Vivian Vance in the 1957 episode of I Love Lucy entitled "Ragtime Band". 


Year:
1999
2:35
33 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Let us put man and woman together
And see which one is smarter
Some say men but I say no
The women got the men like a puppet show 

Ain't me, its the people they say
The men are leading the women astray
But I say, its the women today
Are smarter than the man in every way 

That's right, the women are smarter
That's right, the women are smarter 

A little boy sat down and cried
An old man passing asked him why
He said I can't do what the big boys do
Old man sat down and he cried too 

Ain't me, its the people that say
The men are leading the women astray
But I say, its the women today 
Are smarter than the man in every way

That's right, the women are smarter
That's right, the women are smarter

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Robert Palmer

Robert Allen Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful, soulful voice and sartorial elegance, and for his stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, and blues. While his "four-decade career incorporated every genre of music", Palmer is best known "for the pounding rock-soul classic, 'Addicted to Love', and its accompanying video, which came to epitomise the glamour and excesses of the 1980s."Having started in the music industry in the 1960s, including a spell with Vinegar Joe, he found success in the 1980s, both in his solo career and with the Power Station, scoring Top 10 hits in the United Kingdom and the United States. Three of his hit singles, including "Add… more »

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Written by: D. KLEIBER

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is a calypso song typically credited to Norman Span or King Radio (the stage name for Norman Span).
Other Artists' Version
This song has been covered by multiple well-known artists over the years, including the Carpenters, Harry Belafonte, Robert Palmer, and Rosanne Cash.
Carpenters' Version
In 1977, the American pop duo the Carpenters added a cover of "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" to their album "Passage". This version leaned heavily into a pop/soft rock sound.
Harry Belafonte's Contribution
Harry Belafonte, a widely popular Jamaican-American singer, brought the song into mainstream recognition when he covered it in 1956. Belafonte was known for popularizing the Caribbean musical style, which can be heard in his rendition of the song.
Robert Palmer's Rendition
English rock singer Robert Palmer also covered "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" but added his distinctive rock touch to it. This version appeared on his 1980 album, "Clues" and a live version was also included in his 1982 album, "Maybe It’s Live".
Rosanne Cash’s Cover
Rosanne Cash, an American singer-songwriter and the daughter of country music icon Johnny Cash, added a country flavor to her cover version of "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)". This version was featured on her 1985 album, "Rhythm & Romance".
Song Interpretation
The lyrics of "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" can be perceived as either a feminist anthem praising female intelligence or a tongue-in-cheek joke about gender roles, depending on interpretation.
Popular Culture Inclusion
The song's popularity has ensured it has featured in various television shows, movies, and even an episode of "The Muppet Show" where it was performed by Miss Piggy.
The Grateful Dead's Regular Performance
The Grateful Dead, an American rock band, performed this song regularly as part of their live concerts from the mid-1980s until their disbandment in 1995. Their version is one of the most recognized covers of the song.
Song Recognition
Though many artists have covered this song, perhaps the most famous version remains that of Harry Belafonte, as he helped bring calypso music to the worldwide music charts.

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