Co-author Isaac Hayes found the inspiration for "Soul Man" in the turmoil of the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In July 1967, the 12th Street Riot in Detroit, Michigan occurred. Watching a television newscast of the aftermath of the riots, Hayes noted that black Detroit residents had marked the buildings that had not been destroyed during the riots - most African-American owned and operated institutions - with the word "soul".[2] Relating this occurrence to the biblical story of the Passover,[3] Hayes and songwriting partner David Porter came up with the idea, in Hayes' words, of "a story about one's struggle to rise above his present conditions. It's almost a tune [where it's] kind of like boasting 'I'm a soul man'. It's a pride thing." [2]
Issued on the Atlantic-distributed Stax label for which Hayes and Porter worked, Sam and Dave's "Soul Man" was the most successful Stax single to date upon its release.[2] The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States during the autumn of 1967.[4] "Soul Man" was awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.[2]
The exclamation "Play it, Steve" heard in the song refers to guitarist Steve Cropper of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the house band who provided the instrumentation for this and many other Sam and Dave singles; Cropper provides guitar for both the original Sam and Dave recording, as well as the live and studio covers by the Blues Brothers.
During the same session, two versions of "Soul Man" were subsequently recorded and released. The distinct difference between the two versions can be found within the first thirty seconds of the song. One version opens the tune with a trilling roll[clarification needed], an emphatic drum kick and a more enthusiastic Sam Moore singing the words "Comin' to you...", whereas the other version goes straight in from the intro with no roll, and the drum kick and opening lyrical line are not as enthusiastic. The latter rendition is the more readily available version in all formats, whereas the former rendition tends to be harder to find, but can be found most often on the radio or on original 45 vinyl pressings.
Soul Man
Sam & Dave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good loving, I got a truck load
And when you get it, you got something
Don't worry, 'cause I'm coming
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man (come on!)
And that ain't all
Got what I got the hard way
And I make it better, each and every day
So honey, said don't you fret
'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man, oh
I was brought up on a side street, yes mam
I learned how to love before I could eat
I was educated at woodstock
When I start loving, oh I can't stop
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man (yeah!)
I'm a soul man
Just grab the rope and I'll pull you in
Give you hope and be your only boyfriend
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah!)
I'm talking about a soul man
I'm a soul man
(And you're a) soul man
Soul man (oh lord)
Soul man
(I'm a) soul man
(And you're a) soul man
(And you're a) soul man
The lyrics of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" describe a confident and charismatic man who promises good loving and plenty of it. He asserts that when one gets with him romantically, they've got something special. He then proclaims himself as a "soul man" and reveals that he earned what he has through hard work, making it sweeter because of that. He encourages his love interest not to worry because he's on his way, he'll give her hope, and he'll be her only boyfriend. The verses also reference his upbringing on a side street and his education at Woodstock. The song's catchy repetition and the singer's dynamic characterization paint him as someone who stands out from the crowd and is worth getting to know.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming to you on a dusty road
I am making my way to you no matter how rough the journey gets
Good loving, I got a truck load
I have an abundance of love to give and I am ready to share it all with you
And when you get it, you got something
My love is something special that you will value and cherish
Don't worry, 'cause I'm coming
I want to assure you that I am on my way to love and care for you
I'm a soul man
I am a person who has a deep, emotional connection to the good things in life
And that ain't all
And I have many other qualities than being a soul man
Got what I got the hard way
I have worked hard for all the love and blessings that I have in my life
And I make it better, each and every day
I strive to improve and make the most of every moment and every relationship
So honey, said don't you fret
So my dear, don't worry or be anxious because I am here with you
'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet
You haven't experienced the full extent of my love and all that I can offer you
I was brought up on a side street, yes mam
I come from humble beginnings and I know what it's like to struggle
I learned how to love before I could eat
Love has always been an important part of my life, even before basic needs like food
I was educated at woodstock
I was part of the generation that was influenced by the social and cultural movement of the 1960s
When I start loving, oh I can't stop
When I start caring for someone, I do it with my whole heart and I can't help but continue to do so
Just grab the rope and I'll pull you in
Take my hand and trust me, and I'll bring you into a world of love and joy
Give you hope and be your only boyfriend
I will be there for you, providing support and hope, and I want to be the person that you love and care for
And you're a soul man
And I believe that you are someone who shares a deep emotional connection to the good things in life, like I do
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Porter, Isaac Hayes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
Coming to you on a dusty road
Good loving, I got a truck load
And when you get it, you got something
Don’t worry, ‘cause I’m coming
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man (come on!)
I’m a soul man
And that ain’t all
Got what I got the hard way
And I make it better, each and everyday
So honey, said don’t you fret
‘Cause you ain’t seen nothing yet
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man, oh
I was brought up on a side street, yes mam
I learned how to love before I could eat
I was educated at Woodstock
When I start loving, oh I can’t stop
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man (yeah!)
I’m a soul man
Just grab the rope and I’ll pull you in
Give you hope and be your only boyfriend
Yeah yeah yeah yeah (yeah!)
I’m talking about a soul man
I’m a soul man
(And you’re a) soul man
Soul man (oh lord)
Soul man
(I’m a) soul man
(And you’re a) soul man
(And you’re a) soul man
@craigdavis5407
R.I.P. Mr. James"Uncle Phil"Avery!!!✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿❤❤❤
@davidg.9932
Happy 86th. Samuel David Moore October 12, 1935. Miami, Florida.. I liked you way before The Blues Brothers. A true pioneer of big band blues..
@luislaplume8261
I remember when this was new on the radio in 1967 when I was in school! When music made sense and you can understand what the singers are singing about.
@justsomeguyhere811
Man the music came out on 1978
@luislaplume8261
@@justsomeguyhere811 Then explain it to me when one of my classmates brought his portable radioto class and we heard it when I was in the 7th grade in Intermediate School 8 in Jamaica, Queens, NYC? We were waiting for our teacher to come in during the change of periods.
@Simon_Nonymous
@@justsomeguyhere811 it did very well to hit the charts in 1967 then...
@jrsygrl72
@@justsomeguyhere811 No, you're thinking of the SNL sketch "Blues Brothers", from 1978. This here - by Sam & Dave, 1967 - is THE original.
@disposablecynic
@@justsomeguyhere811No it didn't you naive f!
@judymcvey9005
Sam & Dave were the greatest! This will always be THEIR song no matter who else does it!
@margolangley4472
Reminiscing... rapt! Saturday, 29 October 2022