Sad to note the passing of Percy Sledge.

Image from The New York Times

Percy Sledge, “The King of Slow Soul,” passed away yesterday at the age of 73.

Sledge had a long and prolific career: but he never again recorded a song that holds a candle to his first, 1966‘s “When A Man Loves A Woman.” It was Atlantic Records’ first-ever gold record, reached #1 on both Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B charts, and was ranked as number 53 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.

If you’re a man you will, at some time in your life, feel this song. You will know it. You will probably even sing it. The depths of passion and devotion, fear and uncertainty, hope and agony, wrapped up in two minutes and fifty-one seconds. Those who know, will know. Those who don’t know, never will.

—

When a man loves a woman
Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else
He’d change 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 a 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….