I Need a Man (Grace Jones song)
| "I Need a Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Grace Jones | ||||
| from the album Portfolio | ||||
| B-side | "Again and Again" | |||
| Released | 1975 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Tom Moulton | |||
| Grace Jones singles chronology | ||||
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"I Need a Man" is the debut single by Grace Jones, released in 1975 through Beam Junction. It was re-released in 1977, and reached number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Dance Club Songs chart.
Background[edit]
"I Need a Man" was the debut single for Grace Jones, originally recorded and released in France for the label Orfeus while Jones was still working as a fashion model. It is a disco and funk song.[1] Its initial release passed fairly unnoticed. The track was later re-mixed and released in the U.S. on the minor disco label Beam Junction before Jones signed with Island Records and included it on her 1977 debut album Portfolio. "I Need a Man" then became a modest hit, reaching number 1 spot on the Billboard dance chart. It also contributed to Jones' growing popularity among gay scene.[2]
According to Grace, the original writer of the song, Paul Slade, was an "anonymous, hardworking session guy" who had been writing English lyrics for French singers who wanted to sing in English.[3] Grace claimed to have helped write the words for "I Need a Man" but was not credited as co-writer.[3]
The original mix of "I Need a Man", together with its B-side, "Again and Again", remain unreleased on CD.
Music video[edit]
The music video for the song was made using the chroma key technique and presents Grace wearing a white, knee-length plain dress, dancing to the track.
Track listings[edit]
- 7" single (1975)[4]
- A. "I Need a Man" – 3:15
- B. "Again and Again" – 3:46
- A. "I Need a Man" (disco mix) – 7:30
- B. "I Need a Man" (instrumental version) – 4:53
- UK 7" single (1977)[7]
- A. "I Need a Man" – 3:29
- B. "I Need a Man" (Part 2) – 4:17
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (1976–1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[8] | 19 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 83 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[10] | 1 |
Cover versions[edit]
- The American Hi-NRG group Man 2 Man recorded a cover version of "I Need a Man" in 1987. This version received play in many dance clubs and peaked at #43 on the UK Singles Chart.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (7 September 2017). "100 Most Dynamic Debut Albums: Grace Jones' 'Portfolio' (1977)". Albumism. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
...the breezy disco funk of "I Need a Man"...
- ^ "Grace Jones w Polsce". www.innastrona.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ a b Jones, Grace (2015). I'll Never Write My Memoirs. London: Simon & Schuster. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-4711-3523-1.
- ^ "Grace Jones - I Need A Man (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. 1975. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- ^ "Grace Jones - I Need A Man (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. 1977. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ "I Need a Man by Grace Jones : Reviews and Ratings - Rate Your Music". rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- ^ "Grace Jones - I Need A Man / I Need A Man (Part 2) (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. 1977. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ "Grace Jones – I Need a Man" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Grace Jones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Grace Jones Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company - Man 2 Man - I Need A Man". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
