Listen to What the Man Said
"Listen to What the Man Said" is a hit single from Wings' 1975 album Venus and Mars. The song featured new member Joe English on drums, with guest musicians Dave Mason on guitar and Tom Scott on soprano saxophone.[2] It was a number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US the week of July 19, 1975[3][4] and reached number 1 in Canada on the RPM National Top Singles Chart.[5] It also reached number 6 in the UK, and reached the top ten in Norway and New Zealand and the top twenty in the Netherlands.[6][7] The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.[8][9]
"Listen to What the Man Said"
16 May 1975
31 January and 20 February 1975
3:57
Paul McCartney
Lyrics[edit]
The song is an optimistic love song.[15] Even though love may be blind or may cause separated lovers to suffer, the singer believes that love will prevail.[15] This is in accordance with what “the man” said.[15] "The man" is not explicitly identified, but might be God.[15] Author Vincent Benitez believes that "McCartney is advising everyone to stick with the basics of life, which for him means focusing on love."[15] The song is in the key of G major.
The seemingly random words which are spoken before the music begins, according to Chip Madinger and Mark Easter's 2000 book "Eight Arms To Hold You", are said by McCartney.
"Paul's impression of Leo Nocentelli, the guitarist for The Meters (not Wolfman Jack, as has been incorrectly stated), which was placed at the beginning of the song, was taped when he recorded his vocal track," the book says.
The speaker says: "All right, OK... very good to see you down in New Orleans, man, yeah, yeah. Reet, yeah, yeah..." The word "reet" is jazz slang meaning, "good, proper, excellent."[16]
Reception[edit]
Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called "Listen to What the Man Said" "a typically sweet and lovely melody".[17] Billboard described it as a "perfect mix of quality and commerciality."[18] Cash Box said "clarinets spice the song and give it a distinct flavor while McCartney's supple vocal style will make this an automatic addition to almost anyone’s play list."[19] Paul Nelson of Rolling Stone called it "deliciously catchy" and "as fine an example of slick, professional entertainment and carefully crafted 'product' as has ever hit the airwaves".[20] Author John Blaney described the song as "a slice of radio-friendly pop" and "a joyous celebration of love and life, buoyed by Linda's equally exuberant backing vocals...".[11] Benitez described the song as "another great example of McCartney-style pop, a buoyant and optimistic song about love where words and music are wedded together".[15] Authors Roy Carr and Tony Tyler note about the song that "artful and sensitive production elevate what was originally a piece of inconsequential whimsy into what can only be described as High Pop", also describing the song as "likeable" and "hummable".[21] Author Chris Ingham described the song as "superior pop".[22]
The song was also included on the numerous greatest hits compilations, including 1987's All the Best!, 2001's Wingspan: Hits and History and 2016's Pure McCartney.[23][24] However, it was not included on the 1978 Wings compilation, Wings Greatest.[25]
The song title inspired "Listen To What The Fans Said", a letters column in the Wings Fan Club magazine, Club Sandwich.