When a Man Loves a Woman (song)

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This article is about the song by Percy Sledge. For the song by Jody Watley, see When a Man Loves a Woman (Jody Watley song).

"When a Man Loves a Woman"
One of the US vinyl pressings
Single by Percy Sledge
from the album When a Man Loves a Woman
B-side"Love Me Like You Mean It"
ReleasedMarch 1966
RecordedFebruary 17, 1966
StudioNorala (Sheffield, Alabama)
Genre
Length2:51
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright
Producer(s)Marlin Greene, Quin Ivy
Percy Sledge singles chronology
"Warm And Tender Love"
(1966) 		"When a Man Loves a Woman"
(1966) 		"Baby, Help Me"
(1967)

"When a Man Loves a Woman" is a song written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright and first recorded by Percy Sledge[1] in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts.[3] Country singer John Wesley Ryles had a minor hit with his version of the song in 1976. Singer and actress Bette Midler recorded the song and had a Top 40 hit with her version in 1980. In 1991, Michael Bolton recorded the song and his version peaked at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart.

Percy Sledge original version[edit]

Percy Sledge, 1974

Background[edit]

According to Dan Penn, the song was initially recorded by Percy Sledge at Rick Hall's FAME Studios at Muscle Shoals, before being re-recorded at the nearby Norala Studios owned by Quin Ivy.[4][5] According to Quin Ivy, Percy Sledge was introduced to him by his friend Leroy Wright in Ivy's Tune Town record store. Wright convinced him to audition for Sledge and his band the Esquires.[6] The sidemen for the recording included Spooner Oldham, Farfisa organ; Marlin Greene, guitar; Albert "Junior" Lowe, electric bass and Roger Hawkins, drums. Also on the session were Jack Peck, trumpet, Billy Cofield and Don “Rim” Pollard, tenor sax, and Jerry Eddleman, Jeannie Greene, Sandy Posey, and Hershel Wiggington, backing vocals.[4] Andrew Wright and Calvin Lewis did not play on the record. Rick Hall arranged a distribution deal with Atlantic Records, but Jerry Wexler asked that the song be re-recorded because the horns were out of tune. According to musician David Hood, "They went back in the studio and changed the horns, got different horn players to play on it. But then the tapes got mixed up and Atlantic put out their original version. So that's the hit."[5][better source needed]

Reception[edit]

Released by Atlantic Records in April 1966, Sledge's recording reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts,[7] becoming the first number 1 hit recorded in Muscle Shoals. It is also one of seven number 1 hits to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100. The single was also a top ten hit in the UK reaching number four on its initial release and ultimately peaking at number two in 1987 on the UK Singles Chart after it was featured in a Levi's Jeans commercial. The Percy Sledge version is listed 53rd in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Also in 1987, it was reissued in the US to promote the soundtrack album for Oliver Stone's film Platoon.

Authorship[edit]

Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright were members of the Esquires, a band in Sheffield, Alabama fronted by singer Percy Sledge. According to Wright, "We were set to play a Friday night dance, and we were practicing ... I was messing around on the organ when this riff came up out of nowhere. There was no one in the club but us. I told Calvin to go home and write some words." The next night, they rehearsed the emerging song with Sledge, changed it around, and soon afterward auditioned the song for local businessman and radio DJ Quin Ivy. He liked the song but suggested that some of the words be changed to give a more positive message. Wright said, "We kept some of the phrases, worked on it for several weeks, and spent quite a bit of time in the studio."[8]

Although the writing of the song is credited to Lewis and Wright, Sledge later said that he should have received a co-writing credit. In one story, Sledge said that one night he was upset over a broken relationship and asked Lewis and Wright to play a slow blues over which he improvised lyrics describing his emotions; Quin Ivy was at the show and asked the band to refine the lyrics so that it could be recorded. Sledge said that he allowed Lewis and Wright to take the writing credits because they gave him the opportunity "to sing his heart out".[5][better source needed]

In another interview, Sledge said:

When I wrote the song at first, it was called "Why Did You Leave Me Baby". And I changed it from that to "When a Man Loves a Woman". I just reversed it. Quin told me that if I was to write some lyrics around that melody and the expression I'd put into "Why Did You Leave Me Baby", he believed it would've been a hit record. He was one of the top disc jockeys at that time. Sure enough, he asked me if I had any lyrics for that. He said, "That's it! Write a story around that title! What a song that would be with that feeling you had!" It was a song that was meant to be. It wasn't just what I had done; it was the musicians, the producer, the background singers, the right time.[9]

Charts[edit]

Michael Bolton version[edit]

"When a Man Loves a Woman"
Single by Michael Bolton
from the album Time, Love & Tenderness
B-side"Save Me"
ReleasedOctober 1991
GenreR&B[30]
Length3:52
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright
Producer(s)Walter Afanasieff, Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton singles chronology
"Time, Love and Tenderness"
(1991) 		"When a Man Loves a Woman"
(1991) 		"Missing You Now"
(1991)

Background[edit]

"When a Man Loves a Woman" was covered by singer Michael Bolton for his seventh studio album, Time, Love & Tenderness (1991). His version of the song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts, becoming Bolton's second US number-one hit. Bolton also received a Grammy Award for this song. This version has the distinction of being the last number-one song to chart on the old Billboard Hot 100 charting system that relied on sales and airplay reports before switching over to Nielsen SoundScan. With the Percy Sledge original having reached number one previously, Bolton's version made it the seventh song to top the Hot 100 as recorded by multiple artists.

Personnel[edit]

Charts[edit]

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Columbia
United Kingdom October 28, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [51]
Japan November 1, 1991 Mini-CD Sony [52]

Other cover versions[edit]

American Country singer John Wesley Ryles covered the song for his 1977 self-titled studio album, which also included a cover of "Tell It Like It Is". Ryles's version was a minor hit, reaching Number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.[53]

In 1979, American actress and singer Bette Midler covered the song for the soundtrack of The Rose, which tells a fictionalized version of Janis Joplin's life story. Midler's version was released as a single the following year and peaked at Number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.[54]

Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes released a version of "When a Man Loves a Woman" as the lead single from his 1988 live album Barnestorming. Barnes' version peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Charts and number 11 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart's top singles list.[55]

English singer Joe Cocker covered the song for the 1989 live album Soul Session Live, by "James Brown & Friends". Though not released as a single, Cocker's rendition was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1990.[56]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 52 – The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. [Part 8] : UNT Digital Library" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries. Track 3.
  2. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 6, 2018). "The Number Ones: Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 12, 2023. "When A Man Loves A Woman" was something else: A hard and raspy and passionate Southern soul song...
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 533.
  4. ^ a b Muscle Shoals, The Muscle Shoals Sound: 3614 Jackson Highway, CD, Rhino Records Inc., © 1993, liner notes by Randy Poe
  5. ^ a b c "When a Man Loves a Woman", Songfacts.com. Retrieved 14 April 2015
  6. ^ Nickols, Pete. "Quin Ivy And His Norala And Quinvy Studios: Part 1 The Early Years". Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 533.
  8. ^ Vernell Hackett, "Writers Pen Only One Hit: But ... 'When A Man Loves A Woman' Is A Definite Hit", American Songwriter, September 1, 1994. Retrieved 14 April 2015
  9. ^ Randall Roberts, "Percy Sledge's 'When a Man Loves a Woman', a great American ballad", LA Times, April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015
  10. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - June 6th, 1966". Library and Archives Canada. July 17, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ^ "Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  14. ^ "InfoDisc : Les Tubes de chaque Artiste commençant par S". infodisc.fr. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 1966" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  16. ^ a b "Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. ^ Hallberg, Eric (193). Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3: Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962 – 19. 8. 1975. Drift Musik. ISBN 9163021404.
  18. ^ Hallberg, Eric; Henningsson, Ulf (1998). Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74. Premium Publishing. ISBN 919727125X.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. ^ "Percy Sledge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  21. ^ "Percy Sledge Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  22. ^ "Cash Box TOP 100" (PDF). Cashbox (May 28, 1966).
  23. ^ "100 Top Pops" (PDF). Record World (May 28, 1966).
  24. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  25. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Percy Sledge". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 237. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in French). Les classement single.
  27. ^ "Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman". Swiss Singles Chart.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  30. ^ Ruhlmann, William. Michael Bolton - Time, Love and Tenderness (1991): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  32. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1696." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  33. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1681." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  34. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 49. December 7, 1991. p. 33. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  35. ^ "Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  36. ^ "Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  37. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When a Man Loves a Woman". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  39. ^ "Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
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  41. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 4. January 25, 1992. p. 28. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  42. ^ "Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  43. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  44. ^ "Michael Bolton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  45. ^ "Michael Bolton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  46. ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  47. ^ "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  48. ^ "The RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary tracks of 1992". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  49. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1992". Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  50. ^ "1992 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. December 26, 1992. p. YE-38. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  51. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. October 26, 1991. p. 25.
  52. ^ "男が女を愛する時 | マイケル・ボルトン" [When a Man Loves a Woman | Michael Bolton] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  53. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 367. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  54. ^ "Bette Midler". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  55. ^ "Jimmy Barnes – When a Man Loves a Woman (song)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  56. ^ "A List of 32nd Annual Grammy Nominees". Associated Press. January 11, 1990.

External links[edit]

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