The A-side, a declaration of devoted love, became Sledge's signature song and a defining hit of the soul era. Its B-side, a more upbeat track, showcased a different facet of his vocal talent.
- Released on March 1, 1966, "When a Man Loves a Woman" reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts. The song was recorded at the East Avalon Recorders studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with the Swampers providing instrumental backing. Rhino Atlantic later reissued the single.
- While "When a Man Loves a Woman" was Sledge's first major hit, he would go on to have several other popular songs, including "Warm and Tender Love" and "It Must Be Love." His raw, impassioned vocal delivery on "When a Man Loves a Woman" set a new standard for soul ballads.
- "When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first number-one hit for Atlantic Records in the rock era. It has since been recognized on numerous "greatest songs of all time" lists.
Percy Sledge was an American soul singer, best known for his earlyAN EMOTIONAL, gospel-inflected vocal style. By 1966, Sledge was transitioning from his nursing career to pursue music full-time, at the cusp of a string of major hits.
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