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3 James Brown Songs That Are Still Universally Known Today (Although They Weren’t All Big Hits)
Almost everyone can hum a handful of James Brown tunes, but not every song that became a cultural touchstone was a chart-topping hit at the time of its release. An American Songwriter feature highlights three tracks that remain widely recognisable today despite mixed commercial success, underlining how a song's lasting cultural resonance doesn't always match its original chart performance.
The three songs are "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (1966), the title track of a compilation album co-written with Betty Jean Newsome, which despite its title actually celebrates women's importance and has since been covered by artists including Etta James and Cher; "The Payback" (1974), a revenge-themed track co-written with Fred Wesley and John Starks; and "Try Me", a solely Brown-written single that never reached the Top 30 but remains one of his best-known songs.
In short
- Article names three enduring James Brown songs, not all chart hits.
- "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (1966) was covered by Etta James and Cher.
- "Try Me" never reached the Top 30 but is still widely known.
Explained simply
James Brown was an American singer and bandleader whose energetic performances and rhythm-led music made him one of the most influential figures in soul and funk. His career spanned decades, and his songs reached listeners through recordings, live shows, radio and later generations of performers.
The three songs named here come from different points in his career: “Try Me” was an early ballad, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” was written with Betty Jean Newsome, and “The Payback” was written with Brown’s bandmates Fred Wesley and John Starks. Their different themes and styles show the range of Brown’s work.
A song’s place in the charts at release does not always predict how familiar it will become over time. Covers by other singers and continued use in popular culture can help songs reach new audiences long after their original release.