James Brown - "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"

[Live Your Life]

Um, how is there not a thread on this all-time classic song? I've heard this song SO many times, over the course of my life. I'll just post the song review from AllMusic:

James Brown's dynamic ballad "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" started out as a song written by a woman. Betty Newsome's original lyrics were based on what she gleamed from her Biblical studies and her own romantic relationships, including one with the singer. Just like many of Brown's mid-'60s sides ("Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)"), "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" almost wasn't released due to the legal wrangling going on between King Records and Mercury Records (some of Brown's sides had been issued on their Smash imprint). An injunction was issued in favor of King on the basis that Brown was still signed to King. As with "I Got You (I Feel Good)," Brown had to re-record "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." Sammy Lowe, who arranged his 1963 number six R&B hit "Prisoner of Love," was enlisted to work his magic on the new version of the song. The impassioned ballad was recorded February 16, 1966, at Bob Gallo's Talentmasters studio in New York with drummer Bernard Purdie; guitarist Billy Butler; pianist Ernie Hayes; and horn players Heywood Henry, Waymom Reed, Dud Bascomb, and Lamarr Wright. Co-written by producer James Brown and Betty Newsome, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" b/w the similarly passionate "Is It Yes or Is It No?" held the number one R&B spot for two weeks and hit number eight pop in spring 1966. The It's a Man's Man's Man's World LP went to number 11 R&B and number 90 pop in fall 1966.

In 1974, it was covered by Australian singer, Renée Geyer. I had never heard of her before, but she did an excellent job with it.



In 1992, it was covered by actress and singer, Countess Vaughn, and was released as the first single from her self-titled debut album, via Virgin Records. According to a bio, from the press release of the reality show "Hollywood Divas," her version reached the top 100 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but I can't find any proof of that. The album bombed, which isn't surprising, but she had a very strong voice for an 13-year-old.



I remember there being chatter that Alicia Keys sampled the song for "Fallin'," but only credited herself as a writer and producer. I can definitely hear the similarities, but, then again, Alicia is known for "borrowing" chord changes and melodies.



This generation probably associates the song with Christina Aguilera, who sang it as a tribute at the 49th annual GRAMMY Awards. Her rendition shows up on a lot of 10 to GRAMMY Awards Performances lists, which ruffled some feathers. Some people hated it because of the screaming and some people liked it for the screaming....which is pretty much the story of her life, but I digress.



It's become a staple on televised singing competitions. This one from American Idol, by Joshua Ledet, is one of my favorite performances ever from that show, and definitely of all males that have sang on the show. Unbelievable.



There's another rendition of it, performed by a contestant on The Voice Australia in 2012, that has over 20M views on Youtube. She reminds me a lot of Amy Winehouse.

[Deleted]

Classic. This was also sang by Katharine McPhee on an episode of Smash, too.

[#LisaRinna]

This is an undisputable classic.

[Deleted]

Classic. My favorite James Brown song is probably between this and "Papa Don't Take No Mess".

[surfy]

Absolutely iconic! Just love this song!

[Soulsista]

Love it.

Unsung just did a tribute to James Brown.

[Caviar]

Incredible song. Christina killed it.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

Classic.


#44 in Rolling Stone's 200 Best Singers Of All Time.


www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/james-brown-19-1234643127/

To call James Brown merely a singer seems like a vast understatement. To hear Brown in his prime, say on a track like “Super Bad,” is to experience a lexicon of vocal effects, all jumbled together and delivered in a breathless barrage. That inimitable raspy croon is merely the launch pad. What sends the performance airborne is the way he offsets his phrases with attention-commanding asides — “Heh!” “Hey!” “Good God!” — hoarse exhortations, and, as he moves from the bridge back to the verse, that signature, paint-peeling scream, like Little Richard dialed way up into the red. Brown could belt out a melody with the best of them (see “Try Me” or “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”), but his real genius was turning the pop vocal into a contact sport — a technique that Michael Jackson, among others, would build an empire on. —H.S.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]