The Man In Me

Album: New Morning (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dylan recorded this in New York City with a talented group of studio musicians including Al Kooper and Charlie Daniels. Ron Cornelius, who played guitar on these sessions, told us that Dylan would play down the song, but as soon as they started recording he would play it in a completely different tempo, which threw off the musicians but forced them to play to their strengths. These sessions lasted about 3 weeks, with the best songs going on this album and many of the others ending up on his 1973 self-titled album Dylan.
  • This played a major role in the Coen Brothers' 1998 movie The Big Lebowski. The song has since been performed live by the film's main star, Jeff Bridges.
  • Artists to have covered this song include The Clash, Joe Cocker and Matumbi.
  • In 2023, footage emerged of the session in which Dylan recorded the song. Nobody seems quite sure where the footage came from.
  • "The Man In Me" is the New Morning song that Dylan performed most often. He played it live at least 155 times from 1978 to 2011.

Comments: 5

  • Rod from SwitzerlandFirst time heard it when I saw TBLebowski back then. One of my all time Dylan favorites. When I listen to man in me the sun rises and everything will be ok. Good song to wake up with.
  • Denise Carter from Romance ArkansasRon Cornelius was married to my late sister in law. A really great guy. Lots of cool stories. Miss him as he has passed this last August.
  • Jason from San Francisco, CaThis song is pretty self said, and is mainly about how you don't judge books by their covers
  • Jason from New York, NyIn fact played twice during "The Big Lebowski". First over the opening credits, set to a montage of overweight men bowling. Then later heard during one of the Dude's flashbacks, over his walkman, as he's lying on his rug. You know, the valued rug that really tied the room together.
  • Justin from Bakersfield, Caone of his best songs in my opinion.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."