About the Song
The Four Seasons weren’t just another doo-wop group. Sure, they had the signature tight harmonies and infectious melodies, but their songs often went deeper, exploring themes beyond teenage romance. Walk Like a Man, released in 1963, is a prime example. This energetic song, propelled by Frankie Valli’s soaring vocals, tackles the concept of masculinity with a healthy dose of humor and unexpected vulnerability.
On the surface, Walk Like a Man appears to be a straightforward call to action. The lyrics, penned by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, urge a young man to toughen up after heartbreak. Lines like “Oh, how you tried to cut me down to size” and “The world isn’t comin’ to an end” paint a picture of a young man seeking advice from his father on how to deal with a deceitful woman. The repeated refrain, “Walk like a man, talk like a man,” serves as a mantra, urging him to project an image of strength and resilience.
However, the song’s true charm lies in its underlying complexity. Frankie Valli’s iconic falsetto vocals deliver the lyrics with a touch of defiance, almost mocking the very concept of a stereotypical “man.” The contrast between the lyrics’ message and the delivery creates a sense of humor, suggesting that true strength can come from vulnerability and emotional honesty. Perhaps “walking like a man” doesn’t mean suppressing emotions, but rather facing them head-on.
Musically, Walk Like a Man is a doo-wop powerhouse. The driving beat and prominent handclaps create an infectious energy, while the tight harmonies of The Four Seasons add a layer of sophistication. The song’s structure is deceptively simple, relying on repetition to drive home the message. However, this simplicity allows the raw emotion of the lyrics and vocals to shine through.
Walk Like a Man‘s legacy extends far beyond its chart-topping success in the early 1960s. It has been covered by countless artists across genres, each adding their own interpretation to this complex and playful song. The song continues to resonate with listeners today, serving as a reminder that masculinity can be multifaceted, encompassing both strength and vulnerability. Walk Like a Man is a doo-wop anthem with a twist, a song that challenges traditional notions of masculinity with a wink and a smile.
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Lyrics: “Walk Like A Man”
Ooo-Wee-Ooooooh-Wa
(Walk, walk, walk, walk)
Ooo-Wee-Ooooooh
Walk like a manOh, how you tried
To cut me down to size
By telling dirty lies to my friends
But my own father
Said give her up, don’t bother
The world isn’t coming to an endHe said walk like a man
Talk like a man
Walk like a man my son
No woman’s worth
Crawling on the earth
So walk like a man my sonOoo-Wee-Ooooooh-Wa
(Walk, walk, walk, walk)
Ooo-Wee-Ooooooh-WaFine eyed baby
I don’t mean maybe
We’re gonna get along somehow
Soon you’ll be crying
On ‘count of all you’re lying
Oh yeah, just look who’s laughing nowI’m gonna walk like a man
Fast as I can
Walk like a man from you
I’ll tell the world
Forget about it girl
And walk like a man from youOoo-Wee-Ooooooh-Wa
(Walk, walk, walk, walk)
Ooo-Wee-Ooooooh-Wa
(Walk, walk, walk, walk)
Ooo-Wee-Ooooooh-Wa
(Walk, walk, walk, walk)