About the song
“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” is a song originally written and recorded by James Brown in 1966. Tom Jones’ version, released in 1967, became a hit and is one of his most well-known songs.
Background:
- Songwriting: The song was co-written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. While Brown is often credited as the sole writer, Newsome’s contribution has been acknowledged in recent years.
- Original Version: James Brown’s original recording is a soulful, powerful ballad highlighting the dominance of men in society.
- Tom Jones’ Version: Tom Jones’ version maintains the soulful essence of the song while adding his own distinctive vocal style. His interpretation is often considered more commercially accessible than Brown’s original.
Themes:
- Male Dominance: The song’s title and lyrics primarily address the idea that men have built and control the world. It highlights men’s achievements in various fields, from construction to exploration.
- Women’s Role: While acknowledging the significant contributions of women (“Man makes the cars to take us over the road/Man makes the train to carry heavy load”), the song suggests that women’s role is primarily supportive (“But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl”). This perspective has been criticized for its potentially sexist implications.
- Contrasting Interpretations: Some listeners interpret the song as a celebration of male achievements, while others view it as a critique of male dominance and the lack of recognition for women’s contributions. Tom Jones himself has stated in interviews that he sees the song as acknowledging the importance of women despite its seemingly male-centric lyrics.
- Irony: Some argue that the song’s message is ironic, suggesting that despite men’s apparent dominance, they are ultimately dependent on women. The repeated line “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl” can be seen as a subtle acknowledgment of women’s power and importance.
Overall, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” is a complex song with multiple layers of meaning. Its themes of male dominance, women’s roles, and the interplay between the sexes continue to spark discussion and debate.
Video
Lyrics
This is a man’s worldThis is a man’s world, don’t you know?But it wouldn’t mean nothing, nothingWithout a woman or a girl, oh no
You see, man made the carTo take us over the roadMan made the trainTo carry the heavy load
Man made the electric lightTo take us out of the darkMan made the boat for the water, oh yeahLike Noah made the ark
This is a man’s, man’s, man’s worldBut it wouldn’t mean nothingWithout a woman or a girl
Man make a little bit of baby girlAnd a baby boyMan made them happy, oh‘Cause man, man made them toys
And after a man makes everythingEverything little thing he canDon’t you know that, that man makes moneyTo buy from other man
This is a man’s world, man’s, man’s worldBut it wouldn’t mean nothingNot one little thingWithout a womanWithout a womanWithout a womanThis is a man’s world