Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing the "Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". Throughout his career, he was an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes.
Belafonte won three Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards and in 2022 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category and was the oldest living person to have received the honor.
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Man Smart
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To find out which one is smarter
Some say man but I say no
The woman got the man de day should know
And not me but the people they say
That the man are leading the women astray
But I say, that the women of today
That's right de woman is uh smarter
That's right de woman is uh smarter
That's right de woman is uh smarter, that's right, that's right
Ah, ever since the world began
Woman was always teaching man
And if you listen to my bid attentively
I goin' tell you how she smarter than he
And not me but the people they say
That the man are leading the women astray
But I say, that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way
Garden of Eden was very nice
Adam never work in paradise
Eve meet snake, paradise gone
She make Adam work from that day on
And not me but the people they say
That the man are leading the women astray
But I say, that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way
That's right the woman is uh smarter
That's right the woman is uh smarter
That's right the woman is uh smarter, that's right, that's right
Samson was the strongest man long ago
No one could a beat him, as we all know
Until he loved Deliah, Lila said
All of the strength is in the hair of your head
And not me but the people they say
That the man are leading the women astray
But I say, that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way
That's right the woman is uh smarter
That's right the woman is uh smarter
That's right the woman is uh smarter, that's right, that's right
Ah you meet a girl at a ballroom dance
Thinking that you would stand a chance
Take her home, thinking she's alone
Open the door you find her mama home
And not me but the people they say
That the man are leading the women astray
But I say, that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way
Oh yes, smarter
Harry Belafonte's song "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is a celebration of the intelligence and wisdom of women, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. The lyrics suggest that women are not only equal to men but are, in fact, the smarter sex. Belafonte hints at this idea by comparing historical and biblical examples, referencing Eve teaching Adam in the Garden of Eden and Deliah outsmarting Samson, highlighting how women have been teachers and leaders from the beginning of time. He also includes a humorous anecdote about a man going to a ballroom thinking he will have a chance with a woman he meets, only to find out she is not alone but living with her smart and protective mother.
The song is not only a message of empowerment but also a reflection of the changing cultural attitudes of the 1950s and 60s. At this time, the feminist movement was gaining momentum, and women were increasingly challenging their status in society. Belafonte's song reflects this changing tide and represents a view of a more progressive and equal society.
Overall, "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" is an entertaining and uplifting song that celebrates the intelligence and strength of women, challenging outdated gender roles and stereotypes.
Line by Line Meaning
I say let us put man and a woman together
Let's compare men and women to determine who is smarter.
To find out which one is smarter
To discover the smarter gender through this comparison.
Some say man but I say no
Some people believe men are smarter, but I disagree.
The woman got the man de day should know
Women are smarter, and men should know this.
And not me but the people they say
It is not just my opinion, but the majority of people believe.
That the man are leading the women astray
There is a belief that men are misleading women.
But I say, that the women of today
However, I believe that women are smarter than men nowadays.
Smarter than the man in every way
Women are more intelligent than men in every aspect.
That's right de woman is uh smarter
Yes, women are definitely smarter than men.
Ah, ever since the world began
From the beginning of time until now.
Woman was always teaching man
Women have always been the ones teaching men.
And if you listen to my bid attentively
If you listen to me closely.
I goin' tell you how she smarter than he
I will explain how women are smarter than men.
Garden of Eden was very nice
The Garden of Eden was a beautiful place.
Adam never work in paradise
Adam did not have to work in paradise.
Eve meet snake, paradise gone
But when Eve met the snake, paradise was lost.
She make Adam work from that day on
From that day on, Adam had to work because of Eve.
Samson was the strongest man long ago
Samson was known as the strongest man in the past.
No one could a beat him, as we all know
Nobody could defeat him, as we all know.
Until he loved Deliah, Lila said
However, he fell in love with Delilah.
All of the strength is in the hair of your head
Delilah tricked Samson into revealing his weakness, which was in his hair.
Ah you meet a girl at a ballroom dance
Imagine meeting a girl at a ballroom dance.
Thinking that you would stand a chance
Thinking that you have a chance with her.
Take her home, thinking she's alone
You take her home, thinking you are alone with her.
Open the door you find her mama home
But when you open the door, her mother is there instead of her.
Oh yes, smarter
Indeed, women are smarter than men.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harry Belafonte, Jack Segal, Norman Span
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chesirecat17
Thank you Mr. Belafonte for making my childhood so awesome!! You will be missed but never forgotten ♥️
@kimkaykae
Did he passed away? 😳
@chesirecat17
@@kimkaykae yes unfortunately he passed yesterday 😢
@kimkaykae
@@chesirecat17 He was one of my favorite singers and I'm truly heartbroken 💔😥 My mom and aunt knew him personally. He used to visit our island a lot and stayed at the hotel together with his wife, where my family worked. He took a liking to my aunt and told her he was already married but he would like to introduce her to his brother. Unfortunately, that didn't happen or he might have become my family through marriage. He was truly a nice and kind person according to my family. May his Soul Rest in Favor of God 🙏
@robertlevy3868
Loved his music in the 50s. Mr. Belafonte left a beautiful legacy in music, activism, and film.
@b4iletg053
Rejoice In Paradise Mr. Belafonte - when we all get to heaven.
@jeffreybarkin3177
O Yes....
SHE's the BOSS in most of our Households today!
Thank You HARRY!
❤ 😂
@hoorootv1
I Love all the pauses in this song. Critically important - makes the song so much more impactful & enjoyable. Harry Balafonte was a very clever, intelligent man. He was able to brilliantly cash in on the Calypso craze & make a literal killing. That demostrates incredible creative flair & ingenuity. RIP Harry Belafonte 🙏 🕊
@khaledalmaeena3413
He brightened up my life
@done1675
I remember working for PBS in 1995 in NYC and my executive producer boss got a call that I answered from a guy who said he was Irving Burgie. I said, "hold up - are you Lord Burgess?!" When he answered that he was, he laughed and asked how such a young men ( I was 25) knew who he was. I said, "Of course I know who you are - YOU'RE A LEGEND! I grew up with your music!" He was pleased and I was a little starstruck. Best phone call I've ever taken.