The Man (Aloe Blacc song)

Last updated
"The Man"
Aloe Blacc The Man.jpg
Single by Aloe Blacc
from the album Lift Your Spirit
ReleasedJanuary 21, 2014
Recorded2013
Genre
Length
  • 4:16 (album version)
  • 3:29 (radio edit)
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Aloe Blacc singles chronology
"Wake Me Up"
(2013)
"The Man"
(2014)
"Here Today"
(2014)

"The Man" is a song by American singer Aloe Blacc. First included on his EP Wake Me Up , the song was later released as the second single from his third studio album, 2014's Lift Your Spirit , on Interscope Records. Blacc co-wrote the track with Sam Barsh, Daniel Seeff, and its producer DJ Khalil and Alex Finkin. Additionally, Elton John and Bernie Taupin are credited as songwriters as the song interpolates the melody and the lyric "you can tell everybody" from John's 1970 song "Your Song". [1]

Contents

"The Man" is Blacc's most successful single as a solo artist to date; it sold 2.5 million copies in the United States as of December 2014, [2] peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "The Man" topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Sweden. On January 22, 2014, a remix of "The Man" featuring American rapper Kid Ink was released.

Music video

A lyric video to accompany the release of "The Man" was first released to YouTube on January 10, 2014. [3]

The song's official music video followed on March 3, 2014. [4] The video takes place in the 1960s and 1970s and gives tribute to figures and events significant to African American culture during that era.

Below is a list of tributes to people/events in the music video.

0:39 Marvin Gaye What's Going On album cover
0:39-0:54 Violence and racial injustice at the time
0:54-1:12 Civil Rights and Vietnam war protest
1:12-1:45 Louis Armstrong or Clifford Brown
1:45-2:25 Marvin Gaye
2:25-2:57 Muhammad Ali
2:57-3:05 Soul Train
3:19-3:37 Malcolm X
3:37-3:49 Martin Luther King Jr.
3:49---- Martin Luther King Jr. (continued until the end)
3:59---- Selma to Montgomery marches aka "Bloody Sunday"
4:18---- 1968 Olympics Black Power salute (back, right corner)

The song was featured in the end credits of the 2014 film Brick Mansions .

This song was also famously used in a video on TikTok that featured NBA player Patrick Beverley celebrating after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2022 NBA Play-In.

The song was featured in the end credits of the 2023 Netflix original stand-up comedy special Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer .

Commercials

In December 2013, "The Man" was used as the soundtrack for a series of Beats by Dre commercials promoting the company's "Hear What You Want" campaign, which featured several notable sports personalities, including NFL players Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks and Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, NBA player Kevin Garnett of the Brooklyn Nets, and Chelsea FC football player Cesc Fabregas, wearing Beats headphones to block out the sound of heckling from disgruntled fans. [5]

The song was used extensively at the 2014 NFL draft, being played 108 times over the course of the three-day event. [6] MLB also used the song for its ads for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. The ad shows different highlights and celebrations of possible All-Stars for 2014.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [57] Platinum70,000^
Germany (BVMI) [58] Gold150,000
Italy (FIMI) [59] Gold15,000
New Zealand (RMNZ) [60] Gold7,500*
Sweden (GLF) [61] 2× Platinum80,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [62] Platinum600,000
United States (RIAA) [63] Platinum2,500,000 [2]
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [64] 2× Platinum5,200,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United States [65] [66] [67] January 21, 2014 Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records
Rhythmic contemporary radio
February 4, 2014 Urban adult contemporary radio
United Kingdom [68] March 28, 2014 Digital download
United States [69] June 10, 2014Digital download (Draft Day mix)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alors on danse</span> 2009 single by Stromae

"Alors on danse" is a song by Belgian singer Stromae. It was released in September 2009 in Belgium and in February 2010 in the rest of Europe. The song reached number one in Belgium, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey, and also reached number one on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need a Dollar</span> 2010 single by Aloe Blacc

"I Need a Dollar" is a song performed by American singer Aloe Blacc, written by Blacc, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon and Jeff Dynamite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demons (Imagine Dragons song)</span> 2013 song by Imagine Dragons

"Demons" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It was written by Alex da Kid, Ben McKee, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Josh Mosser and produced by Alex da Kid. The song appears on their major-label debut extended play, Continued Silence, and also makes an appearance on their debut studio album, Night Visions, as the fourth track. "Demons" was solicited to American triple-A radio stations on January 28, 2013, and to modern rock stations two months later, on April 1, 2013. It serves as the album's overall fifth single and was released as the third single from Night Visions in the United States, later released to US contemporary hit radio stations on 17 September 2013 as an official single. The lyrics portray the protagonist warning the significant other of his or her flaws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Me Up (Avicii song)</span> 2013 single by Avicii

"Wake Me Up" is a song by Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, released as the lead single from his debut studio album True, released on CD by PRMD Music, Lava Records and Columbia Records on 17 June 2013. It was written by Avicii, Annie actress Aileen Quinn, Melinda Marie Marantz, country singer Miranda Lambert, Mike Einziger, and American soul singer Aloe Blacc, who provides vocals for the track. Mike Einziger of Incubus provides acoustic guitar, while Peter Dyer provides keyboard on the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aloe Blacc discography</span>

The discography of American singer Aloe Blacc consists of five studio albums, five extended plays and 47 singles. On July 11, 2006, he released his first LP album, Shine Through. He then toured across Europe and the US with Emanon, while working on his second solo album. In 2010, Blacc released his second album, Good Things, on Stones Throw records. The first single "I Need a Dollar", made major chart success in over 15 countries in Europe, peaking number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and also charting in the top 20 in Australia and New Zealand. He later released a second single from the album, "Loving You Is Killing Me" which also attained chart success in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In 2013, Blacc collaborated with Swedish DJ/Producer Avicii on a song titled "Wake Me Up!" for the first single from Avicii's debut studio album True. Blacc partnered up with Coca-Cola in 2014 and released an exclusive charity single titled "Together (RED)". The money paid for the song was donated to AIDS research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timber (Pitbull song)</span> 2013 song by Pitbull & Kesha

"Timber" is a song by American rapper Pitbull featuring American singer Kesha. The song was released on October 7, 2013, as the lead single from Pitbull's extended play (EP) Meltdown. The song was produced by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and Sermstyle, with additional production by Nick Seeley. The song interpolates Lee Oskar's 1978 single "San Francisco Bay" and features harmonica player Paul Harrington, who plays through the entire song and was told to emulate Oskar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Brother</span> 2013 song by Avicii

"Hey Brother" is a dance song by Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii from his debut studio album, True (2013). American bluegrass singer Dan Tyminski provides vocals for the track. It was written by Avicii, Ash Pournouri, Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare and Veronica Maggio. "Hey Brother" sees Avicii giving his brother advice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (Coldplay song)</span> 2014 single by Coldplay

"Magic" is a song by British rock band Coldplay from their sixth studio album, Ghost Stories (2014). It was released on 3 March 2014 as the record's lead single, being written and produced by band members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, Chris Martin, while production assistance was provided by Paul Epworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad (David Guetta and Showtek song)</span> 2014 single by David Guetta and Showtek featuring Vassy

"Bad" is a song by French music producer and DJ David Guetta and Dutch production duo Showtek, featuring vocals from Australian singer Vassy. It was released on 17 March 2014 as a single of the deluxe version from Guetta's studio album, Listen. It was written and produced by Guetta, Showtek, Sultan & Ned Shepard, and Manuel Reuter and it was co-written by Giorgio Tuinfort, Ossama Al Sarraf, Vassy, and Nick Turpin. The song entered and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 22. This track has since topped the chart in Finland and Norway. The song, which features vocals from Vassy, features her with an Auto-Tuned voice; reviews were critical of the effects applied to the vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cool Kids (song)</span> 2013 single by Echosmith

"Cool Kids" is the debut single song by American indie pop band Echosmith from their 2013 debut studio album, Talking Dreams. The song was written by Echosmith, Jeffery David, and Jesiah Dzwonek. It was produced by Mike Elizondo, with additional production on the radio edit by Rob Cavallo. "Cool Kids" was originally released on May 31, 2013, as the iTunes Store Single of the Week and officially impacted United States radio the following year. The song subsequently became a sleeper hit, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving airplay on US modern rock, hot adult contemporary, and contemporary hit radio stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuesday (iLoveMakonnen song)</span> 2014 single by ILoveMakonnen

"Tuesday" is the debut single by American rapper ILoveMakonnen, released on September 1, 2014. The song, which was produced by frequent collaborators Sonny Digital and Metro Boomin, originally mixed by Justin Childs, and features guest vocals by Ousala Aleem and from Canadian rapper Drake, was released as the first single from his debut extended play (EP), ILoveMakonnen (2014). On March 4, 2015, "Tuesday" was certified platinum by the RIAA, with over 1 million sales. There is also an unofficial freestyle to Tuesday by American rapper Fetty Wap and The Remy Boyz released October 14, 2014

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrapped Up</span> 2014 single by Olly Murs featuring Travie McCoy

"Wrapped Up" is a song by English singer-songwriter Olly Murs, released as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Never Been Better (2014). It features American rapper Travie McCoy. The song was released on 7 October 2014 in France and 16 November 2014 in the United Kingdom by Epic Records and Syco Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outside (Calvin Harris song)</span> 2014 single by Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding

"Outside" is a song by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, featuring English singer Ellie Goulding, from Harris's fourth studio album, Motion (2014). It was released on 20 October 2014 as the album's fourth single. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of Goulding's third studio album, Delirium (2015). "Outside" marks the second collaboration between Harris and Goulding, following the single "I Need Your Love" (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Your Time (Sam Hunt song)</span> 2014 single by Sam Hunt

"Take Your Time" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Sam Hunt. It was released to country radio, by MCA Nashville on November 24, 2014, as the second single from his debut studio album Montevallo (2014). Capitol Records headed the song's further promotion to pop and adult pop radio stations in the spring of 2015. The song became Hunt's second consecutive single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2015. The song was written by Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold Back the River (James Bay song)</span> 2014 single by James Bay

"Hold Back the River" is a song by English singer-songwriter James Bay. It was released in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2014 by Republic Records as the second single from Bay's first studio album Chaos and the Calm (2014). The song was written by the Ivor Novello award winner Iain Archer with Bay and produced by Jacquire King. The song peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The song was used in the movie, The Space Between Us.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time of Our Lives (Pitbull and Ne-Yo song)</span> 2014 single by Pitbull and Ne-Yo

"Time of Our Lives" is a song by American rapper Pitbull and American singer Ne-Yo, from the former's eighth studio album Globalization and the latter's sixth studio album Non-Fiction. It was released on November 17, 2014, as the third single from the album by RCA Records. The single was produced by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Michael "Freakin" Everett and Lifted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiggle (song)</span> 2014 song by Jason Derulo featuring Snoop Dogg

"Wiggle" is a song by American singer Jason Derulo featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg, released as the fourth single from the former's third U.S. studio album, Talk Dirty (2014) in North America. In Europe, the song was released as the sixth single from his third international album, Tattoos and the first single from the special edition of the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Forget You (Zara Larsson and MNEK song)</span> 2015 single by Zara Larsson and MNEK

"Never Forget You" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson and British singer MNEK. It was released on 22 July 2015 in the United Kingdom by TEN Music Group, Virgin EMI and Epic as the second single from Larsson's second studio album So Good (2017).

<i>Stay</i> (Zedd and Alessia Cara song) 2017 single by Zedd and Alessia Cara

"Stay" is a song by Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd and Canadian singer Alessia Cara. The single was released on 23 February 2017 through Interscope Records, and is also featured on the Japanese edition of Cara's second studio album, The Pains of Growing. The official music video was released on YouTube on 18 April 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOS (Avicii song)</span> 2019 single by Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc

"SOS" is the first posthumous single by Swedish DJ Avicii, featuring co-productions from Albin Nedler and Kristoffer Fogelmark, and vocals by American singer Aloe Blacc. It was released on 10 April 2019 as the lead single of Avicii's posthumous third studio album, Tim (2019). The single is also his second number-one, as well as Blacc's first, on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, in its 1 June 2019 issue.

References

  1. Cantor, Brian (13 January 2014). "Aloe Blacc's "The Man" Sparks Sales, Buzz Over Elton John Homage". Headline Planet. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "The Big 9 in 2014: Interscope". HITS Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  3. AloeBlaccVEVO (January 10, 2014). "Aloe Blacc – The Man (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  4. AloeBlaccVEVO (March 3, 2014). "Aloe Blacc – The Man (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  5. Yuscavage, Chris (December 11, 2013). "Colin Kaepernick's New Beats By Dre Commercial Has Seahawks Fans Super Heated". Complex . Complex Media. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  6. Glasspiegel, Ryan (11 May 2014). "NFL ESPN Supposedly Played the "I'm the Man" Song 108 Times During NFL Draft". The Big Lead. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  7. "Aloe Blacc – The Man". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  8. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  9. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  10. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  11. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  12. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  13. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 17. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  14. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  15. "Hitlisten.NU – Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  16. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  17. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  18. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  19. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  20. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  21. "Chart Track: Week 14, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  22. "{{{artist}}} – {{{song}}}". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2014" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  24. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  25. "Aloe Blacc – The Man". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  26. "Aloe Blacc – The Man". VG-lista. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  27. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  29. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201418 into search. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  30. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201429 into search. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  31. "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  32. "South African Airplay Chart Top 10 - April 15, 2014". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  33. "Aloe Blacc – The Man" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  34. "Aloe Blacc – The Man". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  35. "Aloe Blacc – The Man". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  36. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  37. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  38. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  39. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  40. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  41. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  42. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  43. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  44. "Aloe Blacc Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  45. "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  46. "Jaaroverzichten 2014: Urban" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  47. "2014 Year End Charts – Top Canadian Hot 100". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  48. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2014" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  49. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2014". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  50. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2014" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  51. "Top Selling Singles of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  52. "Årslista Singlar – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  53. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2014". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  54. "Hot 100 Songs – Year End 2014". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  55. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  56. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  57. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  58. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Aloe Blacc; 'The Man')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  59. "Italian single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  60. "New Zealand single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  61. "Aloe Blacc - The Man" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  62. "British single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  63. "American single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  64. "Danish single certifications – Aloe Blacc – The Man". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  65. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  66. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  67. "Urban/UAC". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  68. "The Man – Single by Aloe Blacc". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  69. "The Man (Draft Day Mix) – Single by Aloe Blacc". iTunes Store (US). Apple. January 2014. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.