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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