Percy Sledge dies in Baton Rouge at age 73

[SoonerTraveler]

I always liked Percy. His 1966 hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" is an all-time favorite. It is amazing that he was still touring just last year. I regret not seeing him perform live. RIP.

http://www.wwl.com/Percy-Sledge-dies-in-Louisiana/21364067

A No. 1 hit in 1966, "When a Man Loves a Woman" was Sledge's debut single, an almost unbearably heartfelt ballad with a resonance he never approached again. Few singers could have. Its mood set by a mournful organ and dirge-like tempo, "When a Man Loves a Woman" was for many the definitive soul ballad, a testament of blinding, all-consuming love haunted by fear and graced by overwhelming emotion.

"When a Man Loves a Woman" was a personal triumph for Sledge, who seemed on the verge of sobbing throughout the production, and a breakthrough for Southern soul. It was the first No. 1 hit from Alabama's burgeoning Muscle Shoals music scene, where Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones among others would record, and the first gold record for Atlantic Records.

 

[AdaSooner]

Since I'm older by a year, 73 seems like such a young age to me now. Percy Sledge was one of the all-time greats for thirty years or more. Sad to learn he's gone!

"When A Man Loves A Woman" was one of my favorites, too. That was some fine makin' out on the dance floor music back in the day.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Since I'm older by a year, 73 seems like such a young age to me now. Percy Sledge was one of the all-time greats for thirty years or more. Sad to learn he's gone!

"When A Man Loves A Woman" was one of my favorites, too. That was some fine makin' out on the dance floor music back in the day.

It still is!

Even though Percy is gone, his music lives on. Absolute Classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9SosWvGx64

"When A Man Loves A Woman"
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/percysledge/whenamanlovesawoman.html

When a man loves a woman,
Can't keep his mind on nothin' else,
He'd change the world for the good thing he's found.
If she is bad, he can't see it,
She can do no wrong,
Turn his back on his best friend if he put her down.
When a man loves a woman,
He'll spend his very last dime
Tryin' to hold on to what he needs.
He'd give up all his comforts
And sleep out in the rain,
If she said that's the way
It ought to be.
Well, this man loves you, woman.
I gave you everything I have,
Tryin' to hold on to your heartless love.
Baby, please don't treat me bad.
When a man loves a woman,
Down deep in his soul,
She can bring him such misery.
If she is playin' him for a fool,
He's the last one to know.
Lovin' eyes can never see.
When a man loves a woman
He can do her no wrong,
He can never want
Some other girl.
Yes, When a man loves a woman
I know exactly how he feels,
'Cause baby, baby, you're my world
When a man loves a woman....
"When A Man Loves A Woman"