In my close to 80 years, this is the song that defines several things. It is THE ULTIMATE love song. It is the ULTIMATE SOUL song and this version will be played until there is no longer anyone alive to listen to it.
Back in the early 90s, I was the night manager at a truck stop near Percy's home town of Leighton, Alabama. He used to come in every now and then and get fried chicken. Really nice guy. One busy night, a guy came up to the register. He was kind of laughing under his breath. He said "That guy back there said he's Percy Sledge!" The cashier and I looked back toward the deli, and she nodded her head and said "Yeah, that's Percy." I nodded and said ,"Yep, that's him." The guy's jaw dropped to the floor.🤣
Thank you for reacting to this, the Muscle Shoals documentary is must see for music lovers, love that you’ve seen it. It’s not hyperbole to say it’s one of the masterpieces of popular 20th century music, this recording.
Little Richard was washing dishes at Greyhound bus station in Alabama. A record producer heard him singing while he was working. The rest is history. Good golly Miss Molly!
Recorded with the Swampers at the legendary Muscle Shoals Recording Studio in Alabama. Every R & B and rock act wanted what was coming out of Muscle Shoals with their roster of performers Percy, Wilson Pickett, Aretha, etc.
Percy sang in the fields a orderly in a hospital and would sing to his patients. Met Rick Hall the rest is history. Great recall Asia. Muscle Shoals like this song are both great. Great reaction. Much appreciated 🙏
This was a monster hit back in the 60s. It seemed to always be on the radio no matter what station you were listening to. Michael Bolton also had a hit with it, many years later. Thanks for your great reaction. 👏👏
Excellent selection, love this song! This song resonates with women also, it's what every woman is looking for, for a man to love her like this! Great song!
Totally agree Asia a timeless classic!! His version is the best. Such a beautiful song, great voice. Take time to Know Her by Percy in 68 was very very good.
Percy Sledge certainly put his heart and soul into this song! He made you feel it. And Asia and BJ, I really enjoyed your reaction and your comments! This song definitely does resonate. Hope ya'll react to more of his music!
This was my Mama’s favorite song, thanks for the memory of that. ♥️ I think you guys would like “Treat Her Like a Lady” by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Similar vocal style but up tempo.
Another one of those songs and artists that can only be labeled "The Real Thing"! I think that's right, Asia, the way he was discovered. Loving eyes can never see....
This has always been one of my favorites from back in the day. It conjures up images of slow dancing with someone you're head over heels over. Not to sound cliche, but they don't make 'em like they used to.
An iconic singer...One of the all time top songs of all time...He has a lot of outstanding songs...One of the all time best lines in music history, " Loving eyes can never see ".
Percy had a great voice. I really liked the organ and the backing vocals on this song. It gave it a unique vibe that makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
I had the chance to see him do free concerts in Baton Rouge for a few years. He and a local car dealership owner were friends, and he would headline Percy Sledge as his last and best act. He had a one in a million voice, and this song will stand out as his biggest and best hit.
My Mom waited on Percy Sledge numerous times at a local (Muscle Shoals) restaurant and loved him. Some other musicians who were just passing through weren't as friendly. We went to sleep every night listening to this and his Cover Me! It's so frustrating that everyone thinks it is a beautiful love song, when it isn't. It's about how a woman can treat a man like dirt and take advantage of the fact that he loves her, when she is just using him.
In the documentary "Muscle Shoals" about the music, studios and bands they produced and recorded there, they talk about Percy Sledge and how he was discovered in the cotton fields singing. Anyone who hasn't seen it should. 😉💖🎸
"Sledge was born on November 25, 1940, in Leighton, Alabama. He worked in a series of agricultural jobs in the fields near Leighton, before taking a job as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama. Through the mid-1960s, he toured the Southeast with the Esquires Combo on weekends, while working at the hospital during the week. A former patient and mutual friend of Sledge and record producer Quin Ivy introduced the two. An audition followed, and Sledge was signed to a recording contract."
Now you need to turn it around and listen to "When A Woman Loves A Man" by Lee Roy Parnell, a country artist. Reminds me so much of my wife & partner of 46 years. Always brings tears to my eyes.
There are covers, but they ain't Percy Sledge. I remember when this came out in 66 and as was then it is now that this is a great song for holding on to your lady on the dance floor.
I Remember Back in May 2015 My Family And I We Went To The Ross Store From in Smyrna, Georgia And We Try To Buy a Clothes And Dresses And I Remember I Was Using The Women's Restroom And Me, My Mother And My Two Sisters Were in The Women's Restroom in Ross Store And The Next Thing You Know is When A Man Loves A Woman Play On The Radio in Women's Restroom in Ross Store For The First Time Since Percy Sledge Passed Away On April - 14th - 2015 At The Age Of 74 Years Old And Just One Month Later We First Heard That Song Called When A Man Loves A Woman Because I Love This Song Since I Was 12 Years Old in 2015 Because When A Man Loves A Woman is The Best Soul Music And Southern Soul Music By The Late Great Percy Sledge And Once Again The Best Song Ever and Yes Memories.
Thanks a lot, like your reaction. Percy did two studio versions of this song, orchestrally, this is the best. Among the many numerous covers, my fav is Annie Lennox's rendition.
Thanks so much for reaction to When a man Loves a woman 😊 my my I'm so fortunate to live not far from Muscle Shoals Alabama and I remember this song was a world wide hit. Rick Hall was very blessed to have had so many wonderful records that were number one hits . I worked with Hal Sledge at ECM HOSPITAL and he was Always the same person every day. This song had the Swampers and Percy said he called them his family. Percy hope you rest in peace we all miss you ❤😢
Although Percy was from Alabama, he kinda adopted Louisiana as his home once his career exploded. I remember one of his tour buses was often parked in a lot down the street from my home; I guess the bus drive lived there. Good friend of mine wrote "First You Cry" that became a big hit for Percy. The HBO series "Treme" featured the song on an episode and my friend thought he was gonna get a good royalty check off of it but Percy owed so much IRS tax money that he didn't get a penny, haha.
I love y'all reacting to a wide range and music. There is a group that is a-coppela that does real justice. HOME FREE does this song perfectly. They have a wide range and genres that are great. Please check out their songs y'all will NOT be disappointed !!!! ❤❤😊😊
Now that ya'll have heard a love song from Muscle Shoals you've got to check out some early, funky soul from another great that a lot of people have forgotten. The one and only Clarence Carter. Snatchin It Back is my all time favorite from him! He also did a song that would crack up BJ and make Asia blush called, "Strokin'." It's still a nightclub staple.
Through the mid-1960s, he toured the Southeast with the Esquires Combo on weekends, while working at the hospital during the week. A former patient and mutual friend of Sledge and record producer Quin Ivy introduced the two. An audition followed, and Sledge was signed to a recording contract.
when you talk about music there are 2 types of music that are better than everything else combined and that is Soul music and motown.. you cannot beat either,
The original. I'm a little boy listening to my mom playing the radio. So much soul. "Turn his back on his best friend if he put her down...." "Sleep out in the rain..." Damn.
OL Percy. You should see his induction into the rock and roll HOF. Man was sincere about his wife and it showed that night. No one will ever top Percy on this song.
Oh, how I love this song. Nothing beats the classics, I grew up listening 2 oldies from the 40's & up. My father was born in 44 & my mother was born in 57 so as u can imagine I listened 2 them all lol. For the longest time my fiance would try 2 stump me by playing oldies just 2 c if I knew it lol...he failed EVERY single time.
You know about muscle Shoals? I was watching a documentary on it but I never finished it. It was very interesting especially learning that the manager for Sam Cook was behind his murder or at least that is with they eluded to since Sam was going to leave the record label.
This is still one all time favorites songs, and I could not believe how good Michael Bolton covered it. He won a Grammy for it and Percy's mom even said she liked it.
An oldie but goodie!! Michael Bolton sampled this song but I don't know if anyone else did. This song is truly a classic!! Thank you Asia and BJ for your awesome reaction!
