A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man

by Frank Vincent

  12. Steven Tyler: This man’s man with a scarf on his microphone is definitely one of rock ’n’ roll’s all-time unique and charismatic ironmen. As the lead singer of Aerosmith, his career has spanned over twenty albums and over 100 million copies sold. His wild onstage presence has brought him fans around the globe; his wild off-stage antics with fellow bandmate Joe Perry made them both internationally infamous. In 2000, Aerosmith was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2001 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Recently, I introduced Aerosmith at a sold-out concert in Madison Square Garden. One thing’s for sure, Tyler’s world-famous lips have been a helipad for some of the most beautiful women in the world.Most Memorable Man’s Man Song: “Walk This Way”

  13. Gene Krupa: When the so-called “ultimate dream summit” was held at Radio City Music Hall in the late 1970s, renowned drummers like Buddy Rich, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones were in the forefront. But one drummer was missing—the great Gene Krupa. He was the guy who put drums as a popular instrument on the map. Unfortunately, Krupa had died a few years previously, in 1973. Krupa first achieved fame in the Benny Goodman Band. His amazing rhythm and lightning-fast reflexes put the spotlight on the drummer for the first time, and paved the way for other drummers who followed, including a young Italian-American kid from New Jersey—yours truly. Buddy Rich, Shelly Manne, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, and many other great drummers owe a debt to Gene Krupa. He was a true pioneer and a very special man’s man drummer.Most Memorable Man’s Man Song: “Sing, Sing, Sing”

  14. Stevie Wonder: “Isn’t HE Lovely!” This man’s man has been cooking up incredible music for decades. The “sorcerer of soul” throws in some funk, rock ’n’ roll, jazz, and reggae, and the result is always a feast of great vibes and music. Blind almost since birth, Wonder was a child prodigy, learning to masterfully play the piano, drums, and harmonica all by the age of nine. After being signed to Motown for years, Wonder went out on his own and the results were top albums like Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life. I had the sincere pleasure of working with him on Spike Lee’s film Jungle Fever. When you put on one of his masterful tunes, he becomes “the sunshine of our lives.”Most Memorable Man’s Man Song: “Superstition”

  15. Jerry Lee Lewis: You know someone is a man’s man when a day is named after him. Well, that’s the case here. Memphis, Tennessee, Governor Don Sunquist named April 28 “Jerry Lee Lewis Day.” His performance of “Whole Lotta Shakin ’” on The Steve Allen Show in 1957 opened America’s eyes to a bright new rock n’ roll star. In fact, many people think this man’s man, who’s nicknamed “The Killer,” invented rock ’n’ roll. Lewis is often compared to fellow man’s man entertainer Elvis Presley, but in my mind he’s a true one-of-a-kind “wild man”! I think what Jerry Lee Lewis said about himself in a March 14, 1983, Time magazine article sums it all up: “I’m a rompin’, stompin’, piano-playing son of a bitch. A mean son of a bitch. But a great son of a bitch.”Most Memorable Man’s Man Song: “Great Balls of Fire”

  MAN’S MAN HONORABLE MUSIC MENTIONS

  Billy Joel * Mozart * Joe Perry * Bobby Darin *

  Duke Ellington * Steven Van Zandt * Frankie Valli *

  Count Basie * Johnny Cash * Sammy Davis Jr. *

  Carlos Jobin

  Music Picks

  Music to Make Love By

  Music and sex are like fire to a candle . . . you need one to light the other! During the throes of passion a guy has SportsCenter blaring in the background, while a man’s man has the right music playing, which sets the appropriate mood for him and his lovely lady. You want to give your girl a night that she’ll run and tell her friends about, because you know girls talk just as much as guys, if not more. That’s right, there’s no room for any “minute men” in this chapter. A man’s man takes the time needed to get the job done. These love songs will make your evening with your lady a sweet symphony—one where you’re the conductor orchestrating a night to remember. You also should have some added bonuses for your lady. For instance, if she’s from Paris, surprise her with some French pastries. If she’s from Milan, have a great bottle of Italian red on hand. If she’s from Russia, keep a handgun under your pillow because they usually have a psycho ex-boyfriend from Brighton Beach they forgot to tell you about. Just kidding, fellas.

  Listen up. If you put on the wrong love song, you’ll find your lady putting on her clothes. If you put on the right song, in the morning she’ll be putting maple syrup on your pancakes. Bottom line, if you don’t set the right mood, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Break out the wine, scented candles, and massage oil, and get down to business with these tempestuous love tunes.

  Top Ten Songs a Man’s Man Must Play While Making Love1. “Fly Me to the Moon” (Frank Sinatra): This list would not be complete without “The Chairman of the Board,” or should I say, “The Chairman of the Bedroom”? If a man’s man is having sex with a woman while listening to this song, he’s not only going to fly her to the moon, he’s going to give her a tour of the whole galaxy!

  2. “Wicked Game” (Chris Isaak): If you saw this video (crowned MTV’s Sexiest Video of All-Time) then we’re already on the same page. Chris Isaak gets to roll around in the sand with half-naked supermodel Helena Christensen. Talk about a tough day at the office. Women love this song!Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “The world was on fire and no one could save me but you. It’s strange what desire will make foolish people do.”

  3. “I Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby” (Barry White): This love song lets your lady know you’re definitely interested in coming back for more!

  4. “You Are So Beautiful” (Joe Cocker): Make sure you areFRANK VINCENT’S SPECIAL ADVICE

  A guy shows up to a woman’s place with a twelve-pack of beer. A man’s man shows up with a twelve-pack of condoms. Don’t be a schnook—protect yourself.

  looking at her and not yourself in the mirror when you’re singing these words. Seriously, this is a great sensual song. In fact, it was playing in a great love scene in the man’s man gangster movie Carlito’s Way when Carlito (Al Pacino) and Gale (Penelope Anne Miller) are getting busy. Ay caramba!

  5. “Mrs. Robinson” (Simon & Garfunkel): This is a song for a young guy about to cross over into manhood. Gotta love mature women!

  6. “Secret Garden” (Bruce Springsteen): A love song that women go crazy for by “The Boss.” This is a “win-win” for everyone! Who could forget the scene from Jerry Maguire when this hit song is playing and Renee Zellweger says, “You had me at hello . . . you had me at hello.” That movie line makes women melt like ice cream in August.

  7. “How Deep Is Your Love” (The Bee Gees): I know when you think of the Bee Gees you’re thinking of some dudes with bell bottoms and more chest hair than a chimpanzee. But I assure you this song will get your lady (or ladies, if your having a career night) in the mood.

  8. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith): Since you “don’t want to miss a thing,” this song will be your segue to breaking out the video camera. Seriously, Aerosmith knows what women want and all women want this song!Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “Lying close to you, feeling your heart beating—And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming—Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing.”

  9. “Love Me Tender” (Elvis Presley): You play this tender-loving hit, and I promise you that Elvis won’t be the only one famous for the “pelvic thrust.” Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “Love me tender—Love me true—All my dreams fulfilled—For my darlin’ I love you.”

  10. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (Stevie Wonder): Let her know she’s the “sunshine of your life,” and in the morning you’ll be seeing the sunshine come up together.

  Five Songs a Man’s Man Never Plays During Sex:1. “Every Breath You Take” (The Police): Here are some of the lyrics: “Every breath you take—Every move you make—Every bond you break—Every step you take—I’ll be watching you.” If you play this song, the only police yo
u’ll see are the ones carrying badges and your restraining order.

  2. “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw” (Jimmy Buffet): Wow, you’re a regular “Don Juan De Moron” playin’ this tasty love ballad.

  3. “Celebration” (Kool and the Gang): If you haven’t had sex since the Reagan administration, keep the celebration to yourself, sport.

  4. “Centerfield” (John Fogerty): Check these lyrics out: “Oh, put me in coach, I’m ready to play today—Put me in coach I’m ready to play today—Look at me, I can be, centerfield.” Okay I know they say you should think about baseball to enhance your sexual performance, but this is ridiculous!

  5. “Hit the Road Jack” (Ray Charles): A woman’s favorite pastime after sex is cuddling, so I think this title says it all. Also, if her name is Jack, you got a whole ’nother set of problems.

  Music to Drive By

  A man’s man has a torrid love affair with his car and what’s coming out of its speakers at all times! Whether you’re driving in a rainstorm, snowstorm, dead of night, or the most beautiful day of the year, you need a song to go with the particular mood you’re in. Whether you’re going to work or to see a woman you love, a song can really pump you up. With this list of songs a four-hour drive will feel about as long as it takes to brush your teeth. While you’re spanning the highways, you’ll also be spanning the decades of the best man’s man driving songs ever. This stellar list of music will make you want to call your buddies, gas up the SUV, and head to Vegas, baby! Take a cruise through my top man’s man driving songs and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

  Top Ten Man’s Man Driving Songs1. “Route 66” (Nat King Cole): A man’s man definitely “gets his kicks” when he’s driving to this hit. This is the ultimate cross-country song.Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “Won’t you get hip to this timely tip—When you make the California trip—Get your kicks on Route 66.”

  2. “America” (Simon & Garfunkel): Great driving song because wherever you’re cruising—New York, Massachusettes, Texas, Colorado—this song will cover all fifty states!

  3. “No Particular Place to Go” (Chuck Berry): Great man’s man driving song if you’re going nowhere in particular.Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “Ridin’ along in my automobile—My baby beside me at the wheel—I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile—My curiosity runnin’ wild.”

  4. “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac): This tune is great to play if you’re lost and arguing with your girlfriend over directions. Just pull over, open the passenger-side door, and the title of this song says the rest!

  5. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (U2): Another great song if you’re lost!

  6. “Girls, Girls, Girls” (Mötley Crüe): Yup, that’s what’s on our mind’s the majority of our waking hours. This hit song will definitely pump up you and your pals when you’re driving to the club for a wild night. Hey, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee was married to Heather Locklear and Pamela Anderson. That’s man’s man 101!

  7. “Highway Star” (Deep Purple): If you got a need for speed, this is your song.Man’s Man Most Memorable Lyrics: “Oh nobody gonna take my car—I’m gonna race it to the ground—Nobody gonna beat my car—It’s gonna break the speed of sound.” That’s fast!

  8. “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” (Beastie Boys): If the coffee ain’t kickin’ in, open the windows all the way and blast this song until you reach Bay Ridge.Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “No sleep till Brooklyn—Foot on the pedal—Never never false metal—Engine running hotter than a boiling kettle.”

  9. “Crosstown Traffic” (Jimi Hendrix): If you’re stuck in some crosstown traffic, throw on this song to deal with the stress, because nothing’s better than Jimi!FRANK VINCENT’S SPECIAL ADVICE:

  A man’s man always gets his oil changed every 3,000 miles. Trust me, none of these songs are good while you’re waiting for AAA on the side of the road.

  10. “Pink Cadillac” (Aretha Franklin): Now, this is a song that would definitely make some older men’s men proud. It was also from a movie I appeared in called Wise Guys (starring Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo).Man’s Man Most Memorable Lyrics: “I love you for your pink Cadillac—Crushed velvet seats—Riding in the back—Oozing down the street—Waving to the girls—Feeling out of sight—Spending all my money—On a Saturday night.”

  Five Songs a Man’s Man Never Listens to While Driving1. “Easy Lover” (Phil Collins) Just because you met a girl at a bar and you’re driving her back to your place for the night, you don’t have to advertise it.

  2. “Stayin’ Alive” (Bee Gees): This song is only good if you make a wrong turn and you’re lost in a “bad-ass” neighborhood.

  3. “Freakin’ You” (Jodeci): Too hot to play while driving with your lady—safer when you’re parked with her in a secluded spot.

  4. “I Can See for Miles” (The Who): Not if you’re in a snowstorm, dummy!

  5. “Highway to Hell” (AC/DC): Unless you got Ozzy Osbourne and Marilyn Manson in the backseat, this song ain’t gonna click.

  Music to Drink By

  Can you imagine drinking without music? A man’s man certainly can’t. But this list of songs are not just good for St. Patrick’s Day, they are good for every day. When alcohol, beautiful women, and men’s men combine, someone is likely to be waving a glass in one hand and a bra in the other. Seriously, a man’s man is as particular about music as he is about what he drinks. A man’s man likes his drink served with a chaser of good music. These songs should be in the jukebox of your local watering hole.

  Top Ten Man’s Man Drinking Songs1. “One for My Baby” (Frank Sinatra): Great song if it’s “quarter to three and there’s no one in the place except you and me.” Sinatra was a man’s man who wasn’t afraid to knock back a few in his day, and he always did it with style.Most Memorable Lyrics: “We’re drinking, my friend—To the end of a brief episode—So make it one for my baby—And one more for the road.”

  2. “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” (Billy Joel): This song works whether you’re drinking “a bottle of red” or “a bottle of white.” Suggestion? Mangia to this hit at Il Cortile in Little Italy.

  3. “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” (George Thorogood & the Destroyers): I think this tune is self-explanatory.

  4. “I Drink Alone” (George Thorogood & the Destroyers): This is a great drinking song if you just broke up with your girl, lost your job, or if you just hate people in general.Most Memorable Man’s Man Lyrics: “I drink alone, yeah—With nobody else—I drink alone, yeah—With nobody else—You know when I drink alone—I prefer to be by myself.”

  FRANK VINCENT’S SPECIAL ADVICE

  Never forget to tip your bartender!

  5. “Naked Women and Beer” (Hank Williams Jr.): This country western star cuts right to the chase, and I love it!

  6. “Red, Red Wine” (UB40): Great song, especially if you’re at Sparks Steakhouse (red is always better than white when having a steak).

  7. “Whiskey River” (Willie Nelson): This is pretty much the only river you’ll find a man’s man rafting in.Most Memorable Lyrics: “Whiskey River take my mind—Don’t let her mem’ry torture me—Whiskey River don’t run dry—You’re all I got, take care of me.”

  8. “Free Fallin’” (Tom Petty): Tom Petty always serves up a good drinking song. But don’t get too carried away and “free fall” off your bar stool, dummy.

  9. “Tequila Sunrise” (The Eagles): You and your lady might see the sun come up with this song.

  10. “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” (someone who was too drunk to copyright this): If you’re still drinking and not lying on the floor when this song is over, then you’re the ultimate man’s man!

  Five Songs a Man’s Man Never Plays While Drinking1. “Margaritaville” (Jimmy Buffett): Here are the lyrics: “But there’s booze in the blender—And soon it will render—That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.” If it was on the rocks, then you’d be on the “must-play list,” Jimmy. A man’s man never drin
ks anything out of a blender.

  2. “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor): If you are listening to this song on the jukebox, my advice is to sober up for a second, look around, and make sure you are not the only guy in the bar.

  3. “Roadhouse Blues” (The Doors): The key lyrics: “I woke up this morning and got myself a beer”! If you woke up this morning and the first thing you grabbed was a Corona; you don’t need this song, pal, you need AA!

  4. “Puff the Magic Dragon” (Peter, Paul and Mary): Hey, we’re only drinking here, not getting the “munchies.”

  5. “YMCA” (The Village People): A bunch of dudes partying in a men’s locker room dressed up as an Indian, cop, construction worker, and a biker—you do the man’s man math!

  Man’s Man Interview with Steven Van Zandt

  You may know man’s man Steven Van Zandt from The Sopranos (he plays Silvio Dante) or as the longtime guitarist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. But Steven is a true Renaissance man’s man, writing and producing music as well! He is an acclaimed record producer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Artists United Against Apartheid, Darlene Love, Lone Justice, Gary U.S. Bonds, Michael Monroe, Lords of the New Church, the Arc Angels, and many more top acts. A gifted songwriter, he has also written songs for artists including Jimmy Cliff, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Brian Setzer, and Darlene Love. His material has been performed by artists as diverse as Jackson Browne, U2, Black Uhuru, and Eddie Vedder.