Mister, You're a Better Man Than I
| "You're a Better Man Than I" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Yardbirds | ||||
| from the album Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds | ||||
| A-side | "Shapes of Things" (UK) | |||
| Released |
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| Recorded | September 1965 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Giorgio Gomelsky | |||
| Yardbirds UK singles chronology | ||||
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"You're a Better Man Than I", alternately listed as "Mr. You're a Better Man Than I" or "Better Man Than I", is a song first recorded by the English
With its politically conscientious lyrics and catchy melody, "You're a Better Man Than I" has been covered several times. A version by American garage rock band Terry Knight and the Pack appeared on Billboard magazine's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Critical commentary
In a song review for AllMusic, Matthew Greenwald writes:
The song was the Yardbirds' first of several stabs at a contemporary folk-rock type of song, and this recording succeeds without compromising the band's dark, threatening lyrics. The lyrics are striking, taking accurate aim at the hypocrites of society and politics, and the fact that men cannot judge each other, despite race, creed, or religion.[2]
Besides the lyrics, he adds that "Jeff Beck's sinewy electric guitar solo is the most identifiable ingredient in the brilliant arrangement".[2]
Recordings by other artists
In February 1966,
Also in 1966, Chicago-based garage rock band New Colony Six included the song on their debut album Breakthrough.[5] AllMusic critic Richie Unterberger described it as one of the "routine, dispensible covers" on the album.[5] In 1969, Manfred Mann Chapter Three, with Mike Hugg on lead vocals, released the song on their self-titled debut album.[6]
English punk band, Sham 69, covered the song for a 1979 single and it also appeared on their 3rd album The Adventures of the Hersham Boys.
South Florida roots/country rock act Charlie Pickett & the Eggs covered the song on their 1982 album Live at the Button.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9791845-7-4.
- ^ a b Greenwald, Matthew. "The Yardbirds: 'You're a Better Man Than I' – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Terry Knight and the Pack". michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ Stroller, Barry. "Remembering Terry Knight and the Pack". furious.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "New Colony Six: Breakthrough – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ Allen, Mark. "Manfred Mann Chapter Three – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
