Poetry Man

"Poetry Man" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow. The song was written by Snow, produced by Dino Airali, and first appeared on her 1974 self-titled debut album.

"Poetry Man"
Single by Phoebe Snow
from the album Phoebe Snow
B-side"Either or Both"
ReleasedDecember 1974
Recorded1974
GenrePop
Length4:36 (album version)
3:15 (single edit)
LabelShelter Records
Songwriter(s)Phoebe Snow
Producer(s)Dino Airali
Phoebe Snow singles chronology
"Poetry Man"
(1974)		 "Harpo's Blues"
(1975)

Released as a single in late 1974, "Poetry Man" became Snow's first charting hit, rising to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1975[1] and number four in the Canadian RPM Magazine charts.[2] The previous month, the song reached number one on the Billboard easy listening (adult contemporary) chart, where it remained for one week.[3] The success of "Poetry Man" helped Snow achieve a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1975, an award that was won that year by composer Marvin Hamlisch.

Retrospectively, Snow stated that the production of the song's record was more jazz-oriented than the eclectic, acoustic guitar-based music she often performed throughout her career, saying that she "never intended to be a jazz artist. That takes a heavy amount of background."[3] The saxophone part on the recording is played by Zoot Sims.

On American Top 40 in September 1980, Casey Kasem claimed that Phoebe Snow said that the song is about Jackson Browne.[4] This was later dispelled by Snow as a rumor that had arisen only because Browne was the first musician she had toured with after release of the song.[5]

Charts

Cover versions

In 1997, Zap Mama, an African-Belgium based group, delivered a version on their album, Seven which included a dialog of sorts with Spearhead's Michael Franti playing the Poetry Man himself.

In 1999, "Poetry Man" returned to the Adult Contemporary chart in a cover by Hawaiian female vocal trio Na Leo Pilimehana, which peaked at number 24.

In 2007, Queen Latifah recorded a cover version of "Poetry Man" that was included on her Grammy-nominated album Trav'lin' Light.

In 2008, saxophonist Jessy J recorded an instrumental version of "Poetry Man" on her album Tequila Moon.

in 2014, Canadian vocalist Jaclyn Guillou recorded "Poetry Man" on her contemporary jazz album, "Winter for Beginners".

See also
  • List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1975 (U.S.)

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (October 5, 2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Publications. ISBN 978-0823085545.
  2. Top Singles. RPM Magazine. 19 April 1975.
  3. Hyatt, Wesley (June 1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits. Billboard Publications. ISBN 978-0823076932.
  4. Battistini, Pete (January 20, 2010). American Top 40 with Casey Kasem: The 1980s. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781452050386.
  5. "Phoebe Snow, 'Poetry Man' Singer, Dies". Associated Press. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  6. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  7. New Zealand Top 40 Singles, 5 May 1975
  8. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  9. "Adult Contemporary chart for March 1, 1975". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  10. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, April 12, 1975". Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  11. "Top Singles – Volume 24, No. 14, December 27, 1975". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  12. Top 100 Hits of 1975 Musicoutfitters.com
  13. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 27, 1975". Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
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