The Residents – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

Description

“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” is a song written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Brown recorded it on February 16, 1966, in a New York City studio and released it as a single later that year. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its title is a word play on the 1963 comedy film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

• American band The Residents recorded many cover of the song since 1984, and until 2020, performed the piece in many of their concerts.

• The Residents 1976–1987

  In early 1976, Snakefinger returned to the US and continued his collaborations with the Residents. Snakefinger was credited as a general performer on all Residents albums (minus Not Available) from Fingerprince to Commercial Album. During this period, he also released two solo albums, which The Residents co-wrote and co-produced. In 1981 he began writing and recording material without their involvement, and only appeared on a small handful of tracks on their albums from The Tunes of Two Cities to Stars & Hank Forever. Lithman also toured with the Residents from 1985 as an unmasked guest until his death on July 1, 1987.

  Also in 1976, drummer Don Jakovich started working with the band, making credited appearances on Satisfaction, Fingerprince, Snakefinger’s Chewing Hides the Sound, and Commercial Album. He also performed with them in costume as part of their June 1976 live performance.

  Following the demise of Henry Cow, former members Chris Cutler and Fred Frith began making appearances on Residents material as drummer and guitarist respectively. Frith first appeared with the Residents on the Subterranean Modern compilation, and Cutler on the Eskimo album. The following year both featured on Commercial Album, with Frith receiving the credit of ‘Extra Hard Working Guest Musician’.

  Nessie Lessons, the wife of Hardy Fox, began to make appearances on Residents releases between 1980 and 1983. Initially as an uncredited female vocalist, Lessons was first credited on The Tunes of Two Cities, toured with the band from 1982 to 1983. Her final work as a regular collaborator was on the song “HellNo”, for the soundtrack to the 1984 film The Census Taker, and was later featured on Our Finest Flowers.

  For The Mole Show, the Residents employed four dancers: Kathleen French, Carol Werner LeMaitre, Sarah McLennan Walker and Chris Van Ralte. Carol LeMaitre and Sarah McLennan went on to portray the Residents on stage during the 13th Anniversary Show, and would also dance in Cube-E.