I'm A Man

Album: I'm A Man (1955)
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Songfacts®:

  • This classic blues song is filled with Diddley's swagger. He sings about his sexual prowess, literally spelling out that he is indeed a man. The song is famous for its riff, which was used by many blues and rock musicians, notably George Thorogood on "Bad to the Bone."
  • This was influenced by a 1951 Muddy Waters song called "She Moves Me." Later in 1955, Waters released "Mannish Boy," which was essentially a rewrite of this song.
  • Many British bands have covered this song, including The Who, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and The Yarbirds, who hit #17 in the US with their 1965 version. For The Yardbirds, whose hit version came when Clapton was in the band, it was a live favorite and helped establish them as one of Britain's top bands.

Comments: 5

  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia FederationBruce Springsteen: "The first time I met Warren Zevon, he came to New York. I saw him at a club in the City and my man recollection was he did a version of Muddy Waters "I'm A Man" and instead of spelling out M-A-N, he spelled out his own name, Warren – which was very funny. It was one of those classic things that told you everything you needed to know about him."
  • Adam from West Palm Beach, FlJeff Beck had replaced Clapton by the time The Yardbirds recorded the song...
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiActually this isn't the Chicago song. The "I'm A Man" that Chicago covered was the Spencer Davis Group song.
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaIs this the Chicago song? Didn't realize Bo Diddley was the author. Great early Chicago song. Good guitar work.
  • Pat from Albuquerque, NmWhen Chicago was the "Chicago Transit Authority," they covered this song too.
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