Day #16 - Man Smart (Woman Smarter)

Here’s another song that has been around for almost 90 years, and it took a 1981 Dead concert to introduce me to it. Man Smart (Woman Smarter) was recorded first in 1936 by Norman Span, a Trinidadian Calypso artist. He was also know as “King Radio”. Many of Span’s songs, including this one, became popular through the recordings of Harry Belafonte. Belafonte’s 1956 LP “Calypso” included MS(WS) as well as his famous “Day-O(Banana Boat Song)”. Calypso became the first album to ever sell over 1 million copies in a year. Who knew?

MS(WS) was a staple of Dead shows from about 1980 through ‘95. It lives on in the many Dead tribute bands out there today. I introduced the song to my “Rock on America” group back in about 2005 and we played it out at one of the ROA events. It proved to be popular with the ladies. It amazes me that it was recorded 87 years ago, and yet some still question its mantra today.

“It ain’t me, it’s the people who say. Men are leading the women astray. I say, it’s the women today. Smarter than a man in every way”

Sorry guys…