Mister, You're a Better Man Than I

"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 rock band the Yardbirds. It was written by brothers Mike and Brian Hugg, and became the opening track to the group's second American album, Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds (1965).[1] Three months later in February 1966, it was released in the UK as the B-side to the "Shapes of Things" single.[2] With its politically conscientious lyrics and catchy melody, "You're a Better Man Than I" has been covered several times. The most successful rendition was recorded by American garage rock band Terry Knight and the Pack, who earned a minor national hit with the tune.

"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
  • 15 November 1965 (1965-11-15) (US album)
  • 25 February 1966 (UK single)
RecordedSeptember 1965
Studio
Genre
Length3:15
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Giorgio Gomelsky
Yardbirds UK singles chronology
"Evil Hearted You"
(1965)		 "You're a Better Man Than I"
(1965)		 "Over Under Sideways Down"
(1966)

Composition

With the exception of "Still I'm Sad", the composition, like other tracks on Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds, was not penned by any of the band members. Nonetheless, "You're a Better Man Than I", along with "Shapes of Things", is perhaps the best example of Jeff Beck's experimentation with distorted guitar instrumentals and use of feedback in the Yardbirds' recordings.[3] Also like "Shapes of Things", the composition incorporated elements of psychedelic rock.[3] Lyrically, the song makes a statement directed toward issues concerning the era such as judging others based on race, government intervention, and use of violence.[4] Music critic Matthew Greenwald, writing for AllMusic, notes the tune as a successful attempt at producing contemporary folk rock without "compromising the band's dark, threatening lyrics".[5]

Covers

Terry Knight and the Pack version

In February 1966, Terry Knight and the Pack recorded their own version of "You're a Better Man Than I" after hearing the Yardbirds perform the song at a gig in Michigan.[6] Writing on the musical career of Terry Knight, music historian Barry Stroller described the Pack's rendition as a "bona-fide classic", before commending its "surprisingly subtle delivery, basic electric guitar chords supported gently with organ and rhythm section, Knight brilliantly finds (admittedly in lyrics he did not write) a perfect narrative in which to grow from teeniebopper heartthrob to social voice of conscience".[7] The song was the first recording by the group to chart nationally, bubbling under the Billboard charts at number 125. Regionally, "Better Man Than I" also reached the Top 10 of several radio charts, and overall sold approximately 150,000 copies.[6]

Other covers

Since the Yardbirds' original version, "You're a Better Man Than I" has been interpreted by other groups. Chicago-based garage rock band New Colony Six featured the composition on their debut album Breakthrough in June 1966.[8] In 1969, Manfred Mann Chapter Three, with Mike Hugg on lead vocals, released the song on their self-titled debut album.[9] The song was particularly popular among teen groups in Fort Worth, Texas, and was covered by the Cynics and Jinx. These interpretations have become more accessible with their inclusion on Fort Worth Teen Scene! albums.[10] The English punk rock band Sham 69 published a cover on their 1979 album The Adventures of the Hersham Boys.

References
  1. "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  2. Carson, Annette (2001). Jeff Beck: Crazy Fingers. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-632-7.
  3. Nave, Connie (2009). Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds (Album notes). Victor Records.
  4. Clayson, Alan (2002). The Yardbirds: The Band that Launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page. Hal Leonard Publishing. p. 84. ISBN 0-87930-724-2.
  5. Greenwald, Matthew. "You're a Better Man Than I - Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  6. "Terry Knight and the Pack". michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  7. Stroller, Barry. "Remembering Terry Knight and the Pack". furious.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  8. Unterberger, Richie. "Breakthrough - Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  9. Allen, Mark. "Manfred Mann Chapter Three - Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  10. Morthland, John. "Fort Worth Teen Scene Vol. 1, Fort Worth Teen Scene Vol. 2, Fort Worth Teen Scene Vol. 3". austinchronicle.com. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
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