I'm A Man (Bo Diddley song)
Encyclopedia
"I'm a Man" is a song written and recorded by Bo Diddley
in 1955. A moderately slow blues with a stop-time figure, it was inspired by an earlier blues song and became a #1 R&B chart hit. "I'm a Man" has been acknowledged by Rolling Stone
magazine and has been recorded by a variety of artists, including The Yardbirds
who had a #17 pop hit in the U.S. in 1965.
", his first single in April 1955. The single became a two-sided hit and reached #1 in the Billboard R&B chart. "I'm a Man" was inspired by Muddy Waters
' 1954 song "Hoochie Coochie Man
", written by Willie Dixon
. After Diddley's release, Waters recorded an "answer song
" to "I'm a Man" in May 1955, titled "Mannish Boy
", a play on words on Bo Diddley's younger age as it related to the primary theme of the song.
Backing Diddley (vocals and guitar) are Billy Boy Arnold
(harmonica), Otis Spann
(piano), Jerome Green (maracas), Willie Dixon
(double bass), and either Frank Kirkland or Clifton James (drums). In a Rolling Stone magazine interview, Bo Diddley recounts that the song took a long time to record because of confusion regarding the timing of the "M...A...N" part. The song is included on several of his compilation albums, including Bo Diddley
(1958) and His Best
(1997). He also recorded it with Muddy Waters and Little Walter
for the 1967 Super Blues
album. The song is ranked #369 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
with Eric Clapton
in 1964 (later released in the U.S. on the Having a Rave Up
album). In 1965 during their first American tour, the Yardbirds, with Jeff Beck
recorded a studio version of "I'm a Man". Their versions feature their signature "rave-up" arrangement, when the beat shifts into double time and the instrumentation builds to a crescendo. Beck added a "scratch-picking" technique to produce a percussive effect during the song's instrumental section, which "provides the climax on the studio version of "I'm a Man", perhaps the most famous Yardbirds rave-up of all".
Recording took place at the Chess Studios in Chicago, with additional recording at the Columbia Studios in New York. It was released as single and later included on their 1965 Epic Records album, Having a Rave Up. The Yardbirds' version (with "Still I'm Sad" as its B-side, released by Epic Records in the U.S.) peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1965. The song was later released in the UK in 1976. Diddley praised their cover as "beautiful" and it has been called "a defining moment for the band".
Another live version, recorded in 1968 with the Jimmy Page line-up was released on the 1971 album Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
.
, who performed the song in a San Francisco nightclub in the film, More American Graffiti
. The Who
recorded the song for their debut album My Generation. A live recording of "I'm a Man" was the B-side of Dr. Feelgood
's 1975 single, "Back in the Night
", and appeared on their chart-topping 1976 live album, Stupidity
. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers performed the song throughout their 2006 North American "Highway Companion" tour. A version from this tour was later featured on The Live Anthology
album. In 2008, a schaffel beat version by Black Strobe
was included in the film and soundtrack album for Guy Ritchie
's RocknRolla
.
George Thorogood
's song "Bad to the Bone
" (for which Diddley appeared in the music video) and AC/DC
's "Whole Lotta Rosie
" also borrow from the guitar riff, melody, and overall structure of "I'm a Man".
An untitled rock variation of the song was featured in the trailer for the two-part French film, Mesrine: Killer Instinct and Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One. It is commonly mistaken for the version of the song performed by Black Strobe
, the difference being that the words "I'm a Man" are replaced with "Highwayman" in the trailer version.
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
in 1955. A moderately slow blues with a stop-time figure, it was inspired by an earlier blues song and became a #1 R&B chart hit. "I'm a Man" has been acknowledged by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine and has been recorded by a variety of artists, including The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
who had a #17 pop hit in the U.S. in 1965.
Bo Diddley song
"I'm a Man" was released as the B-side of "Bo DiddleyBo Diddley (song)
"Bo Diddley" is a rhythm and blues song first recorded and sung by Bo Diddley at the Universal Recording Studio in Chicago and released on the Chess Records subsidiary, Checker Records in 1955. It became an immediate hit single that stayed on the R&B charts for a total of 18 weeks, 2 of those weeks...
", his first single in April 1955. The single became a two-sided hit and reached #1 in the Billboard R&B chart. "I'm a Man" was inspired by Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
' 1954 song "Hoochie Coochie Man
Hoochie Coochie Man
"Hoochie Coochie Man" is a blues standard written by Willie Dixon and first performed by Muddy Waters in 1954 . The song was a major hit upon its release, reaching #8 on Billboard magazine's Black Singles chart...
", written by Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon
William James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
. After Diddley's release, Waters recorded an "answer song
Answer song
An answer song is, as the name suggests, a song made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. It is also known as a response song. The concept became widespread in blues and R&B recorded music in the 1930s through 1950s...
" to "I'm a Man" in May 1955, titled "Mannish Boy
Mannish Boy
"Mannish Boy" is a blues standard first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1955. It is an arrangement of Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man"...
", a play on words on Bo Diddley's younger age as it related to the primary theme of the song.
Backing Diddley (vocals and guitar) are Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter.-Biography:...
(harmonica), Otis Spann
Otis Spann
Otis Spann was an American blues musician, who many consider the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.-Career:Born in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, Spann became known for his distinct piano style....
(piano), Jerome Green (maracas), Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon
William James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
(double bass), and either Frank Kirkland or Clifton James (drums). In a Rolling Stone magazine interview, Bo Diddley recounts that the song took a long time to record because of confusion regarding the timing of the "M...A...N" part. The song is included on several of his compilation albums, including Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley (album)
Bo Diddley is the debut album by rock and roll pioneer and blues icon Bo Diddley. It is a compilation of his singles since 1955. It collects several of his most influential and enduring songs...
(1958) and His Best
His Best
His Best is a 1997 greatest hits compilation album by American rock and roll icon Bo Diddley released by Chess and MCA Records on April 8, 1997 . The album was re-released by Geffen Records on April 17, 2007 as The Definitive Collection with a different album cover...
(1997). He also recorded it with Muddy Waters and Little Walter
Little Walter
Little Walter, born Marion Walter Jacobs , was an American blues harmonica player, whose revolutionary approach to his instrument has earned him comparisons to Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix, for innovation and impact on succeeding generations...
for the 1967 Super Blues
Super Blues
Super Blues is a 1967 studio album by a blues supergroup consisting of Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter. The album was released in both mono and stereo formats by Checker Records in June 1967...
album. The song is ranked #369 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
The Yardbirds versions
English rock band The Yardbirds recorded a live version of "I'm a Man" for their first UK album, Five Live YardbirdsFive Live Yardbirds
Five Live Yardbirds is the live debut album by English blues rock band The Yardbirds, released in the United Kingdom in December 1964 by Columbia Records...
with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
in 1964 (later released in the U.S. on the Having a Rave Up
Having a Rave Up
Having a Rave Up With The Yardbirds is the second American album by English rock band The Yardbirds. Released in 1965, the album is a mix of US-only tracks, previously released singles, and material from Five Live Yardbirds. The album spent thirty-three weeks in Billboard's Top LPs chart where it...
album). In 1965 during their first American tour, the Yardbirds, with Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
recorded a studio version of "I'm a Man". Their versions feature their signature "rave-up" arrangement, when the beat shifts into double time and the instrumentation builds to a crescendo. Beck added a "scratch-picking" technique to produce a percussive effect during the song's instrumental section, which "provides the climax on the studio version of "I'm a Man", perhaps the most famous Yardbirds rave-up of all".
Recording took place at the Chess Studios in Chicago, with additional recording at the Columbia Studios in New York. It was released as single and later included on their 1965 Epic Records album, Having a Rave Up. The Yardbirds' version (with "Still I'm Sad" as its B-side, released by Epic Records in the U.S.) peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1965. The song was later released in the UK in 1976. Diddley praised their cover as "beautiful" and it has been called "a defining moment for the band".
Another live version, recorded in 1968 with the Jimmy Page line-up was released on the 1971 album Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page
Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page is a live album released by English blues rock band The Yardbirds in 1971 of their live performance at the Anderson Theatre in New York City on 30 March 1968...
.
Other versions
Numerous artists have recorded "I'm a Man" over the years. The Royal Guardsmen recorded it, as well as Doug SahmDoug Sahm
Douglas Wayne Sahm , was an American musician from Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was a child prodigy in country music, but became a significant figure in blues rock and other genres. Today Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in what is identified as Tejano music...
, who performed the song in a San Francisco nightclub in the film, More American Graffiti
More American Graffiti
More American Graffiti is the 1979 sequel film to George Lucas's hit film American Graffiti. Whereas the first film followed a group of friends during the summer evening before they set off for college, this film shows us where the characters from the first film end up a few years later.Most of the...
. The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
recorded the song for their debut album My Generation. A live recording of "I'm a Man" was the B-side of Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood may refer to:In music:*Dr. Feelgood , an album by American band Mötley Crüe**"Dr. Feelgood" , a single and the title track from that album*"Dr. Feel Good", a song by Travie McCoy on the album Lazarus...
's 1975 single, "Back in the Night
Back in the Night
"Back in the Night" is a song by the band Dr. Feelgood. Recorded in 1975 it appeared on their second album, Malpractice."Back in the Night" was also issued as a single in the UK in July 1975. It failed to reach the UK Singles Chart. Written by Wilko Johnson, and produced by Vic Maile, the song was...
", and appeared on their chart-topping 1976 live album, Stupidity
Stupidity (Dr. Feelgood album)
Stupidity was the third album by Dr. Feelgood. It was released in September 1976, and was their first live album recording. Their mushrooming popularity was confirmed when Stupidity topped the UK charts....
. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers performed the song throughout their 2006 North American "Highway Companion" tour. A version from this tour was later featured on The Live Anthology
The Live Anthology
The Live Anthology is a live box set by American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The box set was released by Reprise Records on November 23, 2009, in a number of formats, with the standard CD and download formats, composed of 48 tracks .The album's cover artwork and packaging was...
album. In 2008, a schaffel beat version by Black Strobe
Black Strobe
Black Strobe were formed in Paris in 1997 by producer Arnaud Rebotini and DJ Ivan Smagghe, and were instrumental in the rise of the electroclash movement in the UK with their breakthrough single Me And Madonna...
was included in the film and soundtrack album for Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie
Guy Stuart Ritchie is an English screenwriter and film maker who directed Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla and Sherlock Holmes.-Early life:...
's RocknRolla
RocknRolla
RocknRolla is a 2008 British crime film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, and starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong, Toby Kebbell, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Karel Roden, and Thandie Newton...
.
George Thorogood
George Thorogood
George Thorogood is an American blues rock vocalist/guitarist from Wilmington, Delaware, United States, known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone" as well as for covers of blues standards such as Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" and John Lee Hooker's "House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One...
's song "Bad to the Bone
Bad to the Bone
"Bad to the Bone" is a song by George Thorogood and the Destroyers released in 1982 on the album of the same name. While it was not a major hit on initial release, its video made recurrent appearances on the nascent MTV, which was created a year before...
" (for which Diddley appeared in the music video) and AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
's "Whole Lotta Rosie
Whole Lotta Rosie
"Whole Lotta Rosie" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the eighth and final track on the band's fourth Australian album, Let There Be Rock, released in Australia in March 1977, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott...
" also borrow from the guitar riff, melody, and overall structure of "I'm a Man".
An untitled rock variation of the song was featured in the trailer for the two-part French film, Mesrine: Killer Instinct and Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One. It is commonly mistaken for the version of the song performed by Black Strobe
Black Strobe
Black Strobe were formed in Paris in 1997 by producer Arnaud Rebotini and DJ Ivan Smagghe, and were instrumental in the rise of the electroclash movement in the UK with their breakthrough single Me And Madonna...
, the difference being that the words "I'm a Man" are replaced with "Highwayman" in the trailer version.