Poetry Man
Encyclopedia
"Poetry Man" is a song by the American singer-songwriter
Phoebe Snow. The song was written by Snow, produced by Dino Airali, and first appeared on her 1974 self-titled debut album
. On American Top 40
in September 1980, Casey Kasem
claimed that Phoebe Snow said that the song is about Jackson Browne
. This later was dispelled by Snow as rumor that had arisen only because Browne was the first musician she had toured with after release of the song.
Released as a single
in late 1974, "Poetry Man" became Snow's first charting hit, rising to number five on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in April 1975 and number four in the Canadian RPM Magazine
charts. The previous month, the song reached number one on the Billboard easy listening (adult contemporary) chart, where it remained for one week. The success of "Poetry Man" helped Snow achieve a Grammy
nomination for Best New Artist
in 1975
, an award that was won that year by composer Marvin Hamlisch
.
Snow has stated that the production on the song was more jazz-oriented than the eclectic, acoustic guitar
-based music she has often performed throughout her career, saying that she "never intended to be a jazz artist. That takes a heavy amount of background."
"Poetry Man" returned to the Adult Contemporary chart in 1999 in a cover by Hawaiian female vocal trio Na Leo Pilimehana, which peaked at number 24.
In 1997, Zap Mama, an African-Belgium based group, delivered a version on their album, Seven which included a dialog of sorts with Spearhead's Michael Franti
playing the Poetry Man himself.
Queen Latifah
recorded a cover version
of "Poetry Man" that was included on her 2007 Grammy-nominated album Trav'lin' Light
.
Saxophonist Jessy J
recorded an instrumental version of "Poetry Man" on her 2008 album Tequila Moon
.
Lyrics to "Poetry Man"
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Phoebe Snow. The song was written by Snow, produced by Dino Airali, and first appeared on her 1974 self-titled debut album
Phoebe Snow (album)
Phoebe Snow is the eponymous debut album by singer/songwriter Phoebe Snow, released in 1974 . It contains her Top 5 Billboard pop hit, "Poetry Man".-Track listing:All songs by Phoebe Snow, except where noted...
. On American Top 40
American Top 40
American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
in September 1980, Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem
Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem is an American radio personality and voice actor who is best known for being the host of the nationally syndicated Top 40 countdown show American Top 40, and for voicing Shaggy in the popular Saturday morning cartoon franchise Scooby-Doo.Kasem, along with Don Bustany and...
claimed that Phoebe Snow said that the song is about Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
. This later was dispelled by Snow as rumor that had arisen only because Browne was the first musician she had toured with after release of the song.
Released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in late 1974, "Poetry Man" became Snow's first charting hit, rising to number five on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in April 1975 and number four in the Canadian RPM Magazine
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
charts. The previous month, the song reached number one on the Billboard easy listening (adult contemporary) chart, where it remained for one week. The success of "Poetry Man" helped Snow achieve a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination for Best New Artist
Grammy Award for Best New Artist
The Grammy Award for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1959. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year. The award was not presented in 1967...
in 1975
Grammy Awards of 1975
The 17th Grammy Awards were presented March 1, 1975, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1974.- Award winners :*Record of the Year...
, an award that was won that year by composer Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
.
Snow has stated that the production on the song was more jazz-oriented than the eclectic, acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
-based music she has often performed throughout her career, saying that she "never intended to be a jazz artist. That takes a heavy amount of background."
"Poetry Man" returned to the Adult Contemporary chart in 1999 in a cover by Hawaiian female vocal trio Na Leo Pilimehana, which peaked at number 24.
In 1997, Zap Mama, an African-Belgium based group, delivered a version on their album, Seven which included a dialog of sorts with Spearhead's Michael Franti
Michael Franti
Michael Franti is an American poet, musician, and composer. He is the creator and lead vocalist of Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk, and rock...
playing the Poetry Man himself.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
recorded a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Poetry Man" that was included on her 2007 Grammy-nominated album Trav'lin' Light
Trav'lin' Light (Queen Latifah album)
Trav'lin' Light is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Queen Latifah, released in the United States on September 25, 2007 by Verve Records...
.
Saxophonist Jessy J
Jessy J
Jessy J is an American musician in the contemporary jazz music genre.- Biography :...
recorded an instrumental version of "Poetry Man" on her 2008 album Tequila Moon
Tequila Moon
Tequila Moon is the first studio album from Peak Records recording artist Jessy J. It includes the Billboard Jazz #1 song "Tequila Moon"...
.
External links
Lyrics to "Poetry Man"