I have to thank deKE for this one. After posting Barney Bantell, he mentioned that this song was on the radio around the same time. Sometimes a song hits hard, loud, and ready to throw its weight around. It is a no-apology bar song, full speed ahead.
What hooked me up was the opening guitar riff. This was built for FM radio in the late 80s, big guitars, bigger hooks, and just enough power to make you roll the windows down and sing along at a red light. This song isn’t meant to change the world, but just to enjoy yourself.
The song itself is pure swagger. Conwell doesn’t mince words; he’s telling you upfront that he is a bad boy, and it’s wrapped with a crunchy riff, with the Rumblers behind him turning on the gas. Since it was the 1980s, it was given a polish for that era by Rick Chertoff, the same producer who helped shape The Hooters at the time.
They went on big tours with acts like Robert Palmer and Stevie Ray Vaughan. And while mainstream fame didn’t happen, this song remains their signature song. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and #74 on the Billboard 100 in 1988.
I’m Not Your Man
Baby before hang around this old moldy
Mildewy ‘n’ crappy scene holding hands with you
There’s a whole list of things you’re gonna have to do
Jump off the Empire State in a paper sack
Talking lovey-dovey to a camel scare the hump off his back
Get the Queen of England’s golden shoes
Put ’em on your feet and sing the St. Louis blues
Look here
Seven days a week with you is more than I can handle
Seven nights of love and dirty laundry on your floor
Baby, I can see this whole thing heading into trouble
I’m out the door
I’m not your man
‘Cause you’re looking for a hero
Baby, it ain’t me, I’m not your man
I ain’t nothing to hold on to
Baby, I ain’t what you need
It’s easy being here but I’ve got ground to cover
There’s nothing you can do to make me wanna stay
Though I’ve been here awhile don’t think that
I’ve stopped moving, I’m on my way
…
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Awesome! 😎
Don’t remember this one. Not bad. Good guitar.
Yes it is…that riff to start it off is something.
Another musician that’s new to me. I do like the song though.
Yea Glyn…I love the riff that opens it up and that caught me. It’s new to me as well.
Deke must have a better memory than mine- Barney Bentall I remember, not this one by name nor sound. Of course, I was largely listening to alt rock then. Not a total winner to me but can see how it might’ve done fine on rock stations then, with those tours might have expected they’d go further
Oh that guitar riff won me over…I love hearing guitar driven songs around this time…kinda like Jon Butcher…. his song If Wishes Were Horses. It was again the riff.
New to me, Max but I do like this a lot.
New one for me but I certainly see how he was a good choice for those touring partners!
Thanks for giving it a spin Randy. I decided for a “never heard that song before” weekend lol.
You never pick a bad one either!
Thank you…the one that got me the most excited was the Pete Johnson and Joe Turner one… we both love finding new things…Just like that first version of Summertime you posted…THAT was interesting!
Pete and Joe, a couple legends that I have talked about a few times in the past. You did a great job on covering the story there.
Yes! I knew I probably first heard about Pete on your site…thank you again!
Well, this was cool to see! They should have really kicked into another gear with this track and album but it happens. It was good to see they did get some chart action with this tune.
Dude…I should have linked you! I’m sorry man. I’m glad they had this song at least…that damn riff is killer!
Nah man all good. That riff is killer and that chorus is the money shot!
LOL…wish I would have used that!
Sounds pretty cool! Neither Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers nor “I’m Not Your Man” rang any bell. If that song is representative of the group’s style, they sound right up my alley!
I thought of you when I heard that riff that opens it up…it seems familiar to me and evidently it got played after being #1 on the mainstream rock charts…
Fits right into the Touring Bus song category for me. Not at all subtle but that’s not the point. This is plug in, crank the amp up and play play play.
Yes…today the posts were related somewhat…like I said…after that riff they couldn’t do anything wrong to me.
Yes, I noted that. Surely Max is not sublimating a little bit of his work anger into some hard loud pounding music?😉
YES! It does help at time obbverse…it helps.
Mr. Right Now. Good tune.
It’s got a bit of grunt! No rose petals or lollipops here!
I don’t remember that one but I do remember this one:
https://youtu.be/ukwsfi2cf5o?si=aC05rA9YqzKElwOF
Oh wow! You knew of them! That is so cool and I’m liking that song alot…I might have to post that one day…