H. B. Barnum (born Hidle Brown Barnum, 15 July 1936, Houston, Texas) is an … Read Full Bio ↴H. B. Barnum (born Hidle Brown Barnum, 15 July 1936, Houston, Texas) is an American pianist, arranger, record producer, songwriter, and former child actor.

After winning a nationwide talent contest at the age of four and starring in the motion picture Valley of the Sun Marches On, he continued his acting career on TV in the Amos 'n Andy Shows, the Jack Benny Show, and others, making his first solo recording as Pee Wee Barnum in 1950.[1][2]

He then joined doo-wop groups The Dootones and, in 1956, The Robins (later The Coasters), for whom he played piano. In 1960, under the pseudonym "Dudley" he recorded the radio hit "El Pizza," a parody of Marty Robbins' "El Paso." In 1961 he had the only hit under his own name, the instrumental "Lost Love", and in the same year recorded the first version of "Nut Rocker", credited to Jack B. Nimble and the Quicks. He also recorded three albums as a singer-pianist during the 1960s.[1][2]

Since that time he has become most widely known as an arranger, for a very wide range of performers including Count Basie, O.C. Smith, Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Al Wilson, and the Pump Girls.[1][2] Barnum also produced, along with Johnnie Walls of JWP Productions which distributed the record, the 1985 hip-hop comedy song "Rappin' Duke." He produced "The Fish Song" by The New Creation.

H.B. Barnum had an album recorded by the Novells, a Los Angeles area band, titled, That Did It! in 1968. The album which never was properly promoted surprisingly re-emerged as an import some 40-years later when it was released in the United Kingdom in July of 2005 and again in December of 2007 by Radioactive Records.[citation needed]

H. B. Barnum is the older brother of backup singer Billie Barnum.

References

^ a b c Biography by Jason Ankent at Allmusic.org
^ a b c Biographical note at SoulWalking.com

I'M A MAN
H.B. Barnum Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm the one you want
Better if you don't
Girl I'm hard to please
I get what I want
Ladies say I'm fly
I don't even try
Ask about me
They gone tell you why

I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
Say he's got a bag
Drive expensive cars
Heard he lives the life
Of a movie star
Looking for some queens
Best you've ever seen
Put em' on my team
Fuck you mean
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man
I'm the man

I'm the man
I'm the man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to H.B. Barnum's "I'm a Man" boast an undeniable sense of confidence about being the alpha male. The persona in the song is self-assured that he can get whatever he wants, including the female attention he craves, without even trying. He is aware of his power and control, which often makes him hard to please. The theme of male dominance in this song is pronounced, as it implies that the persona is a ladies’ man and has had various encounters with women that validate his masculinity. The repeated assertion of "I'm the man" is meant to make him sound confident and assertive as he sings about his luxurious lifestyle, his fine taste in material possessions, and his ability to collect beautiful women as he calls them "queens."

The persona describes himself as living a movie star's lifestyle, driving expensive cars, and being in possession of a significant amount of money ("got a bag"). He is proud of his possessions and seeks only the best for himself, including the women he associates with, whom he claims are the "best you've ever seen." He is sure of himself, and his ability to win the admiration of the ladies he encounters. The phrase "Put them on my team" insinuates his desire to have these women under his control and at his disposal. The lyrics strongly suggest that the persona is a man with a high sense of self-importance and is unapologetic about his dominant persona.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm the one you want
I am the person you desire

Better if you don't
It is preferable if you don't pursue me due to my high standards

Girl I'm hard to please
I am a difficult person to satisfy

I get what I want
I always achieve my goals and desires

Ladies say I'm fly
Women consider me attractive and desirable

I don't even try
My natural charm and charisma make me attractive without any effort

Ask about me
Inquire about my popularity and reputation

They gone tell you why
They will describe the reasons for my fame and success

I'm the man
I am the epitome of success, confidence, and masculinity

Say he's got a bag
People talk about my wealth and riches

Drive expensive cars
I own and operate luxurious and costly automobiles