When a Man Loves a Woman was recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966. The inspiration came about when Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright were playing at a club in Sheffield, Alabama. Legend has it that Percy Sledge improvised the lyrics while upset over his girlfriend leaving him to pursue a modeling career. He sang about giving everything up when you truly love a woman.
Key: C
Introduction:
C
G/B
Am7
Am/G
F
G
C
G6
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
When a man loves a woman, can't keep his mind on nothing else
F
G
C
G
He'll trade the world for the good thing he's found
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
If she's bad he can't see it she can do no wrong
F
G
C
G
Turn his back on his best friend if he put her down
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
When a man loves a woman, spend his very last dime
F
G
C
G
Tryin' to hold on to what he needs
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
He'd give up all his comfort, sleep out in the rain
F
G
C
G
If she said that's the way it ought to be
F
G
C
Well, this man loves a woman
F
G
C
I gave you everything I had
F
G
C
E7/B
Am
Tryin' to hold on to your heartless love
D7
F/G
G#
Baby, please don't treat me bad
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
When a man loves a woman, down deep in his soul
F
G
C
G
She can bring him such misery
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
If she plays him for a fool, he's the last one to know
F
G
C
G
Lovin' eyes can never see
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G/B
Am
C7/G
When a man loves a woman, he can do her no wrong
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G
C
G
He can never hug, some other girl
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
Yes, when a man loves a woman, I know exactly how he feels
F
G
C
G
Coz baby baby baby you're my world
C
G/B
Am
C7/G
When a man loves a woman, I know exactly how he feels (fade out)