I'm A Man (The Spencer Davis Group Song) - Chicago Version

Chicago Version

Chicago Transit Authority (now known as Chicago) recorded a cover version of "I'm a Man" for their 1969 debut album, The Chicago Transit Authority. When the band's popularity surged after their second album, "I'm a Man" was released as the B-side to a re-release of "Questions 67 and 68". Radio stations ended up playing both sides, and "I'm a Man" reached #49 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

Chicago's cover is a borderline heavy metal arrangement, clocking in at 7 minutes and 40 seconds, and is based around the bluesy guitar playing of Terry Kath, the virtuoso drumming of Danny Seraphine and the horn section doubling on auxiliary percussion instruments, such as claves, cowbell, maracas and tambourine. Kath, Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm each sing a verse apiece (singing not the lyrics as written, but as Chicago apparently misunderstood them), preluding an extended drum solo before a return to the second and third verses and choruses that bring the song to a climactic drum roll, and finally leading into a guitar solo to bring the song to a dramatic close. This version remains a fan favourite and is featured on the 1971 four record live album Chicago at Carnegie Hall and Chicago Live in Japan which was initially released only in Japan in 1972 and was later released on CD on Chicago Records elsewhere in the 1990s as well as a live recording at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival from 1969 . Santana has also used a small part of this song in the track "Waiting" which appears on their self titled 1969 debut album. In many live performances, Chicago would hand pick a female track athlete from the crowd to run out on to the stage and perform gymnastic moves to accentuate her man-esque body features, particularly the legs.