MANNISH BOY

Original Muddy Waters version

Oh yeah, oh yeah
Everything gonna be alright this morning

Now when I was a young boy at the age of five
My mother said I'm gonna be the greatest man alive
But now I'm a man, I made twenty-one
I want you to believe me, honey, we're having lots of fun

I'm a man (yeah!), I spell "M", "A" child
"N", that represents man (yeah!)
No "B" (whoa!), "O" child
"Y", that spell "Mannish Boy"

A man (yeah!), I'm a full grown man (yeah!)
I'm a man (yeah!), I'm a rolling stone (whoa!)
I'm a man (yeah!), I'm a Hoochie Coochie man
Sitting on the outside, just me and my mate
I made the moon come up two hours late (yeah)

Ain't that a man (yeah!), I spell "M", "A" child
"N", that represents man (yeah!)
No "B", "O" child
"Y", that spell "Mannish Boy"

I'm a man (yeah!), I'm a full grown man (whoa!)
I'm a man (yeah!), I'm a rolling stone (whoa!)
I'm a man (yeah), full grown man...
[Fades out]

Info

MANNISH BOY is a song written by McKinley Morganfield, Mel London, and Ellas McDaniel originally released by Muddy Waters as a single in 1955. The above lyrics are for the original Muddy Waters version of MANNISH BOY as released in 1955.

Muddy Waters recorded several versions of MANNISH BOY during his career. The first version was recorded and released in 1955 and was originally titled "Manish Boy".

Muddy Waters -- "Manish Boy / Young Fashion Ways"

7" single - Chess (1602) - USA, 1955

Muddy Waters -- "Manish Boy / Young Fashion Ways"

10" single - Chess (1602) - USA, 1955

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen performed ADAM RAISED A CAIN on every show during the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour. From the 19 Jun 1988 show in Paris, France, and until the end of tour, he added a few lines from MANNISH BOY at the end of the song. See the live 28 Jun 1988 version for an example.

Available Versions

List of available versions of MANNISH BOY on this website:

Page last updated: 11 Jan 2016