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Table of Contents
About “When a Man Loves a Woman”
A lament about enduring the blindness and miseries of being in love… written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright… first recorded and delivered like no other by Percy Sledge in 1966 and covered by Michael Bolton in 1991.
Percy Sledge’s Recording
In the key of Db Major…
Lyrics
When a man loves a woman
Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else.
He’d trade the world for the good thing he’s found.
If she is bad, he can’t see it.
She can do no wrong.
Turn his back on his best friend if he put her down.
When a man loves a woman
He’ll spend his very last dime
Tryin’ to hold on to what he needs.
He’d give up all his comforts
And sleep out in the rain
If she said that’s the way it ought to be.
Well, this man loves you, woman.
I gave you everything I had.
Tryin’ to hold on to your heartless love.
Baby, please don’t treat me bad.
When a man loves a woman
Down deep in his soul
She can bring him such misery.
If she is playin’ him for a fool
He’s the last one to know.
Lovin’ eyes can never see.
When a man loves a woman
He can do her no wrong.
He can never want some other girl.
Yes when a man loves a woman
I know exactly how he feels
Cause baby, baby, you’re my world.
When a man loves a woman…
Chords & Lyrics
Special Note to Vocalists: This is Frank’s honest attempt to transcribe the lyric in the original recording as accurately as possible, recognizing that the words are unclear in a few spots and that you will find several other interpretations on the internet. Please don’t fuss over the differences. Simply make the song your own!
Roman Numeral Analysis of the Chord Changes
Let Frank know if you’d like to see a Roman Numeral Analysis (RNA) of the chord changes. Such knowledge and skill enables you to more deeply internalize the chord changes and enables you to quickly transpose them to another key.
learn more… Chords & Lyrics for Iconic Songs