Percy Sledge – When A Man Loves A Woman (Live)

Before Percy Sledge began his music career, he worked as a hospital orderly in the early 1960s.

Fun Facts

• “When a Man Loves a Woman” was released in March of 1966 and recorded in February of the same year.

• Calvin Lewis co-wrote the lyrics with Andrew Wright.
• Percy Tyrone Sledge was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
• Percy received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s award for excellent career success in the late 1960 and early 1970s.

• The song was first recorded at FAME Studios and then later at Norala Studios.

• When it was first released, “When a Man Loves a Woman” was called “Why Did You Leave Me Baby.”

• Quin Ivy owned Norala record label. He played the role of the producer during the recording of “When a Man Loves a Woman”.’
• “When a Man Loves a Woman” was indeed the first gold record released by Atlantic Records.

• Even though Sledge played a vital role in composing the lyrics, he gave all the rights to Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright.

• Sledge passed away on April 14, 2015, aged 74.

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

And turn his back on his best friend

If he puts her down

When a man loves a woman

Spend his very last dime

And trying 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

When a man loves a woman

I give you everything I’ve got

Trying to hold on to your precious love

And baby baby please don’t treat me bad

When a man loves a woman

Deep down in his soul

She can bring him such misery

If she is playing him for a fool

He’s the last one to know

Loving eyes can never see

Yes when a man loves a woman

I know exactly how he feels

‘Cause baby, baby

When a man loves a woman

When a man loves a woman

When a man loves a woman

When a man, when a man

When a man loves a woman