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Chicago — I'm A Man
Album: Chicago Transit Authority
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1746









Released: 1969
Length: 5:40
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my chin
Never had no problems 'cause I've always paid the rent
I got no time for lovin'
Cause my time is all used up
I stand outside creatin'
All the groovy kinds of love

I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oh baby
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yes I am

If I had my choice of matter
I'd would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter,
Showing where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong the love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see

I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oooh, I'm a man, yes I am
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I love to hear you talk

I've got to keep my image
While I'm standing on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I've never had no problems
And my body's pretty strong

I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yes I know
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oooh
Man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Good god I love you so, love you so

If I had my choice of matter
I would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Knowin' where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How good a love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see

I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yes I am
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yeah, yeah yeah. I'm a
Man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man, ooh yes I am

I gotta keep my image
While I'm standin on the floor
If I drop upon my knees (?)
?
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I never had no problems
And my body's pretty strong

I'm a
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Owww.. I'm A
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Comments (378)add comment
This entire album is 100MPH of GREAT!!!. I bought it right after it came out. I was 15yrs old. I played t it to death all through high school! I wore it out & had to buy a 2nd copy!!  It is a shame that after the 2nd album, they went foo foo top 40.
 scraig wrote:

How can there only be three Chicago songs in the RP canon?




I AGREE!!   And ONLY 2 TUNES FROM THIS STELLAR ALBUM!  PLEASE ADD MORE!! Thank You!
How can there only be three Chicago songs in the RP canon?
The only thing missing is that amazing drum solo 
Waaayyyy back in the last century one of the bands I played with often used this as an opening warmup song - great vibe, great rhythms, let everyone get in a good groove. Still takes me back! 
 cropduster wrote:

This album is def in the all time classics! Thanks RP!




I AGREE!!
Before David Foster got a hold of them. Great stuff.
Perfect seque from Common Disaster!
The Tanglewood live version is waaaaaaayyy better

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DPZUgfOqAdg
 taklalaratar wrote:

Are we guilty because of we are men? honestly...



Q: Are we not men? A: We are DEVO!
 LaurieinTucson wrote:


I've done that! Are we getting old and feeble-minded, or what?


lol yes....great to have great tunes....thank you radio paradise
This album is def in the all time classics! Thanks RP!
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
Moonflower31 wrote: Totally agree!!! Wow! Did this band ever castrate themselves!!! It's pathetic what lounge losers they've become. It's like Rod Stewart re-inventing himself as a crooner! STOP IT PLEASE!!!



I KNOW!!!  How DARE artists follow their own muse/desires/interests to create the music that THEY want to create!!  (Apparently, cutting their BALLS off in the process)  How DARE they?!?  They owe ME!!  STOP IT PLEASE!!
This whole album slaps.  What an amazing debut, it's like a greatest hits record.  so many great tunes.  Absolutely groundbreaking at the time.  Terry Kath...RIP
Whoa - those lyrics didn't age well...
cats - mental chatter - WTF?
Ohhhh those Beemans commercials....
 Mugro wrote:

You know you've been an RP member a long time when you hear a really good song like this for the first time and rush to the website to find out who sings it, only to find out you already rated it a nine years ago. 



And then you bumped it up to 10, because... , well, it's a fucking 10! 
   
 admascott wrote:
CTA was much better than Chicago
 
Yep, must agree. 

Not sure what this version is from.  My Lp album version is 7:41 long.  One of the best sounding records I have ever heard, too.
Pre-Cetera tunes definitely worth an 8+ IMO
25 or 6 to 4 was his best effort!

LL RP
 RedGuitar wrote:
Their first album is a real good one.  However, I prefer the Spencer Davis Group version of this tune.
 

Um, try the live version of Chicago Live at Carnegie Hall and get back to me...
My favourite band back then before they went top 40 after Terry Kath passed in 1978.
I have bought this album 3 times.
Those were the days when our FM stations were going to all-day rock music and our local station was converting gradually from classical to serious rock. A nice combination at the time.
Man, this takes me way back to my high school daze in Frankfurt, Germany!!!
Hits on all cylinders!
One of the first albums I  ever owned ( after the Monkees ).  When
Chicago rocked.  
If you get a chance check out the cover of this by Leonid and friends.
This song killed live back in 1970! Terry was a guitar god at the time, RIP 
 Mugro wrote:
You know you've been an RP member a long time when you hear a really good song like this for the first time and rush to the website to find out who sings it, only to find out you already rated it a nine years ago. 
 

I've done that! Are we getting old and feeble-minded, or what?
My favorite band in the Terry Kath era. Saw them several times and they really rocked. 
Are we guilty because of we are men? honestly...
 Roy_Batty wrote:
an 8 for the wonderfull memories of 1969, just becoming a "man"  at 14 {#Naughty}. Still got the album...meanwhile becoming an old man {#Frown} hard to believe 50 years have passed.
 Yes, but it has been a good ride! I was hooked on this at 25 when Toronto's classical FM station started playing 'good' rock music mixed with its usual fare. I've worn out 2 vinyl copies of this album and one CD since.

CTA was much better than Chicago
Cowboy Junkies' Common Disaster --> this.

I hear it, Bill. I hear it! Nicely done. 
an 8 for the wonderfull memories of 1969, just becoming a "man"  at 14 {#Naughty}. Still got the album...meanwhile becoming an old man {#Frown} hard to believe 50 years have passed.
One of the first albums I ever owned ( I thing the Archie's was first).
Before Chicago went sappy.  Great cover from a great album. 
Right?!! 

Mugro wrote:
You know you've been an RP member a long time when you hear a really good song like this for the first time and rush to the website to find out who sings it, only to find out you already rated it a nine years ago. 

 

A couple of weeks ago, a friend I jammed with suggested we do some Chicago songs. I thought that was a terrible idea - I loved the band 40 years ago but eventually found them cheesy and long left them in the dust. RP proves me wrong - this and another track were played since my friend's suggestion, and I'm reminded of their range. 
 AllanH2010 wrote:
A key track from The Chicago Transit Authority, great double-album from the 60's, featuring electric guitar virtuosity of T. Kath. Sad to think what they were, what they could have become, in contrast to what they turned out to be. I dunno if Kath could have survived the R&R lifestyle, but with him gone the band congealed into premature sick-sweet, chart-topping senility. 
 
Catch the "Now More Than Ever" movie that goes through their career and you'll see two big problems: James William Guercio misused and stole a lot of their money; and David Foster coaxed away Peter Cetera into a hit-making world of crap music.
One of the great covers of all time - incredible percussion (pity about the single version).
 
Sadly Chicago transit Authority seemed to be emasculated by legal threats - the change of name didn't do many favours.
A key track from The Chicago Transit Authority, great double-album from the 60's, featuring electric guitar virtuosity of T. Kath. Sad to think what they were, what they could have become, in contrast to what they turned out to be. I dunno if Kath could have survived the R&R lifestyle, but with him gone the band congealed into premature sick-sweet, chart-topping senility. 
 Or...shake your head wondering why you hadn't! Mugro wrote:
You know you've been an RP member a long time when you hear a really good song like this for the first time and rush to the website to find out who sings it, only to find out you already rated it a nine years ago. 

 

MORE CHICAGO from the first eight albums.

Lowdown cranks
Yes
OMG this takes me waaaaaay back.

And hi Mugro! 
You know you've been an RP member a long time when you hear a really good song like this for the first time and rush to the website to find out who sings it, only to find out you already rated it a nine years ago. 
Funktastically good
Now a member of the RnR Hall of Fame
Ah, the brilliant work of Terry Kath. That album was amazing at the time, and still is to be honest. Personally, I'm always going to be curious as to where they would've evolved had Kath remembered to remove that chambered round. Can't say they've Petered out (pun only slightly intended), but I can't help but think the homogenization of the sound on their albums in the 80's would have come so easily.
I'm from that era but never liked Chicago. Awful vocals. I am not a musician. Help please.
I was on the film crew (1970) and saw the original lineup with Terry Kath (guitar):



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goose_Lake_International_Music_Festival 
This first Chicago album just rocks and swings.

Really needs to be played loud! 
Hi guys!

Amazing , I am probably one of very few people listning Paradise Radio in SERBIA!

My ten years old daughter recognised a song half an hour ago : Send me on my way! I asked her how do you know it? She replies from a movie Matilda. It was really great experiance to me.

Thank You  !

Nebojsa Perzic 
 BalesBub wrote:
...reminds of the time I dropped a box of pots and pans down a flight of stairs...

 
I'll bet it didn't groove like this though. {#High-five}
Great for clearing the head from the Xmas festivities..
Break it down baby!
 {#Drummer}
great track - Chicago Transit Authority before they had to change their name and went downhill.
Wow that woke me up! 5.23 in the am and I'm dancing!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Yes indeed.  {#Cheers}{#Dance}{#Drummer}{#Notworthy}

10th_rock wrote:

I Agree{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}



 


Early Chicago is bad ass....  {#Cool}
Hey! What happened to the percussion solo?
Hands down, my favorite Chicago recording. Followed by 25 or 6 to 4.
Sometimes it's easy to forget just how many flat out great bands we listened to through the 60's and 70's. And it'a not as if we liked everything there were just so many flat out great bands.
including this one. 
Junior high days. First concert. First girlfriend.... Indelible times... Nothing like music of that era to bring it back.
 WonderLizard wrote:
 

Which means that you'd have to listen to this 100 million times to fully deplete your brain. Might be possible on a classic rock station...

 
if you use lots & lots of cannabis it reverces the action......
 oldfart48 wrote:
GOOD COVER{#Dancingbanana}

 
I Agree{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}


GOOD COVER{#Dancingbanana}
the same guys that sung 'If You Leave Me Now'? (the only other song I know from this band).  Seriously?  I'm taking it that IYLMN was an aberration if this is anything to go by........7-> 8 from me...
These guys kicked serious ass for two albums, then veered onto a different direction.  The percussion drives hard, the bass is solid, and listen carefully to the fantastic guitar solos.  And HORNS!
Okay I know it's not just me; The Lost Episode of Spongebob Squarepants has a bit in a song that sounds exactly like this at 26 seconds in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOMN89dpKHc
 DanFHiggins wrote:
Wow - back in the day man

Jr High school band playing this - I'm sure we sounded nothing like this but the auditorium was jumping anyway! 

 
First album i ever bought. Great percussion! Would loved if my jr high band had played this! :-)
Wow - back in the day man

Jr High school band playing this - I'm sure we sounded nothing like this but the auditorium was jumping anyway! 
 Good comparison. We had Chicago's first 4 albums, back in the day, my sister and me. She gave me Santana 3, because she didn't like it!

WonderLizard wrote:
Danny Seraphine was all of 19 when this was recorded. Compares to Santana's Michael Shrieve, who was the same age when Santana debuted.
 


 WonderLizard wrote:
Danny Seraphine was all of 19 when this was recorded. Compares to Santana's Michael Shrieve, who was the same age when Santana debuted.
  Yes he sure is an amazing drummer and sent me wild when I first heard this track... still have the Album on Vinyl ... one of their best or one of my best favourites.


 Hannio wrote:
It is a scientific fact that every time you listen to this, over 1000 brain cells shrivel up and die. 

Which means that you'd have to listen to this 100 million times to fully deplete your brain. Might be possible on a classic rock station...
Danny Seraphine was all of 19 when this was recorded. Compares to Santana's Michael Shrieve, who was the same age when Santana debuted.
Very nice!
Good music...!!!
It is a scientific fact that every time you listen to this, over 1000 brain cells shrivel up and die.


Wow. For RP, this is pretty bad.

2.
Threw away all my other Chicago vinyl, kept this one!
Who knew their first album would be their best album?
Isn't there another version of this song that's about 2 years long?

 LizK wrote:
Might I go live in 1969?  Fine year.   {#Motor}   {#War}
 
You can use my Time Machine if you like!
Back when this group was actually worth listening to you. Too bad they fell so far in their efforts to create pablum for the masses
How does this only have a 7.4.  This is a 10 baby.
X=10 :)
Only if this could be re-recorded with today's technology.. 'Improved' remasters don't really cut it.
Might I go live in 1969?  Fine year.   {#Motor}   {#War}
< x > Turned up 
<    > Not turned up
yeah! like this start!
 coloradojohn wrote:
OH, MAN, when that dude kicks it in with the funky syncopation on the killer bass ... then the guitar and the percussion comes in... then the bluesy earthy vocals start to growl... OH   My   GOD!  YEAH!
 
The dude on the bass was Peter Cetera - who turned in some great vocals on the early Chicago but whose later solo work was pure schlock.

From AMG on the really really good album - marred IMHO by a few insane Terry Kath gutarbation excursions:

"On the one hand, listeners were presented with an incendiary rock & roll quartet of Terry Kath (lead guitar/vocals), Robert Lamm (keyboards/vocals), Peter Cetera (bass/vocals), and Danny Seraphine (drums). They were augmented by the equally aggressive power brass trio that included Lee Loughnane (trumpet/vocals), James Pankow (trombone), and the aforementioned Walter Parazaider (woodwind/vocals). "

I believe the vocals here start with Terry then to Peter than to Robert
 DanO-1 wrote:
Terry Kath was a fine, fine guitar player.
 
Warning Bad Taste Joke Coming:  Unfortunately not as good at Russian Roulette


don't like
Thank you, Mister Stevie Winwood.
 hiorgos wrote:
Volume:

< x > Turned up 
<    > Not turned up 
 

...do the math?

CAN'T!!!


Volume:

< x > Turned up 
<    > Not turned up 
OH, MAN, when that dude kicks it in with the funky syncopation on the killer bass ... then the guitar and the percussion comes in... then the bluesy earthy vocals start to growl... OH   My   GOD!  YEAH!
bad ass!
We are rocking the year 1969 again. Guitar playing was astounding that year
...reminds of the time I dropped a box of pots and pans down a flight of stairs...
Terry Kath was a fine, fine guitar player.
A great version by a great band....for a while, at least. Their first 3 albums stack up against almost anyones. RP-  Pl play "The Road" from Chicago II and check out the trade off vocals from Keith to Terry to Robert......classic
If the Chicago Transit Authority really had a band...it would be sloppy and never on time.
I remember a buddy of mine stealing this album, then calling me over to his house where we wore out the grooves to this track. Good memories. I think he's paid his karmic debt.
 BonyParadise wrote:
Wow, really surprised to hear this from Chicago - funky stuff, really enjoyed that!

 
If you have never listened to the "Chicago Transit Authority" album ... check it out ... this was their very first and quite possibly their very best.

This is the same band who would go on to record "Fight For Your Honor" for the "Karate Kid" soundtrack. Oh how the mighty have fallen...
Wow, really surprised to hear this from Chicago - funky stuff, really enjoyed that!

Great stuff...still miss Kath
Saw this performed in summer of 1969 at Tanglewood (MA).  They played with Who and It's a Beautiful Day that evening.  Great version of Winwood's song from Spencer Davis Group I think. 
 skibbenr wrote:
I remember my older brother Chris going to a battle of the bands at Carl Shurz high school in Chicago in about 1967 and thinking that this band CTA was a bit weird.  They lost by the way.
 
That's funny.  Great album.  Terry Kath RIP

I remember my older brother Chris going to a battle of the bands at Carl Shurz high school in Chicago in about 1967 and thinking that this band CTA was a bit weird.  They lost by the way.
Not too bad for the first forty-seven minutes. . . .
Bill, You can play this song everyday, gets me out of my chair for some daily exercise.
Good song but I always liked Spencer Davis' version a lot more.
Recommend a follow up with War's "Low Rider."
They just don't make'em like this any more.. I remember rushing out to but this on Vinyl when it first was released and still have it today, Thanks RP for playing it and bringing back so many memories trying/failing this drum solo..


 Art_Carnage wrote:

Typical Austitude.

 

oh fersher!  and i'm up to my saddlehorn in it.  
I was going for 10 but that drum solo was just too long then as soon as we have the guitars and vocals back I feel I'm being harsh and it is still a 10?  Tough one.