Song Details
- Artist
- Percy Sledge
- Album
- When a Man Loves a Woman
- Released
- 1966
- Genre
- Soul, R&B
- Length
- 2:51
¶ Deep Analysis
"When a Man Loves a Woman" is one of the most powerful vocal performances in soul history. Percy Sledge's delivery is raw, improvised, and deeply emotional—it sounds like he's tearing his heart out on the microphone.
Out of Tune?
The horn section was slightly out of tune during the recording session, but the producers decided to keep it. This small imperfection actually contributes to the song's incredibly authentic, live, and vulnerable feel.
It was the first gold record for Atlantic Records and stands as the defining slow dance ballad of the 60s.
@ History & Impact
-
1
Muscle Shoals
It put Muscle Shoals, Alabama, on the map as a recording destination. Sledge was just a hospital orderly when he recorded it.
-
2
Songwriting Credit
Sledge improvised the lyrics on stage and in the studio but gave the full songwriting credit to his bandmates Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, a decision he later regretted as it cost him millions in royalties.