Say Man

Album: The Legendary Bo Diddley (1959)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Bo Diddley exchanging insults with his maracas player Jerome Green. It originated when they were mucking about in the studio.
  • Both this song and "Say Man, Back Again" have been connected with rap, but actually feature the African-American insult humor known as the Dozens.
  • Speaking with Bo Diddley in a May 2005 interview with Uncut magazine the comment was made that this was in a round about way, one of the first rap records. He responded: "Uhuh. But it wasn't called rap, it was called signifyin." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    DeeTheWriter - Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation

Comments: 1

  • Pee Jay from Arizona"Them ain't no boots you got on, they're broke in" Not "broke in," but brogans
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?