By quantriweb2023 In the golden era of Motown, when music was more than just sound but a profound dialogue with the soul, The Four Tops offered a masterpiece of emotional depth and existential questioning with their 1967 ballad, “What Is a Man.” This song wasn’t just another entry in their celebrated discography; it was a soulful meditation on identity, manhood, and the human experience—timeless themes that echo with listeners even decades later.
A Soulful Inquiry into Identity
Released on The Four Tops’ Second Album, “What Is a Man” stands apart from bouncy, danceable Motown hits, diving instead into reflective waters. Written by the iconic songwriting duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song intricately explores what it truly means to be a man—not through bravado or superficial measures, but through emotional acuity and moral fiber. The lyrics wander through a landscape of virtues: pride, fear, love, hate, patience, bravery, and personal destiny.
“A man can walk proudly, down in the street,” the song begins, immediately placing humanity’s external confidence against an internal quest for validation. But the real power lies in the refrain—repeated like a solemn mantra—“What is a man?” This question embodies the tension between societal expectations and a man’s inner truth. It’s a question that beckons listeners to ponder, not just masculinity, but the essence of virtue and identity.
The Four Tops’ Emotional Delivery: More Than Just Harmony
The band’s soulful harmonies infuse the song with a poignant intensity that lifts the introspective lyrics into an emotional experience. Levi Stubbs’ urgent, earnest lead vocals—known for their raw power and vulnerability—bring life to Ashford & Simpson’s words. His voice captures the fragile balance of confidence and doubt, creating a space where listeners can confront their own vulnerability.
Producer and Motown legend Smokey Robinson once praised The Four Tops for their ability to “bring the raw edges of human emotion into every note.” This song epitomizes that strength. Said Lawrence Payton, the group’s multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, in a 1970 interview, “We’re not just singing love songs—we’re telling stories about who we are, about our struggles and what we stand for. ‘What Is a Man’ is one of those stories.” This sincerity helped Motown transcend pop music’s typical boundaries and gave its songs lasting cultural weight.
The Context of the Times: Motown and the Search for Meaning
To appreciate “What Is a Man,” one must understand the late 1960s’ social fabric. The civil rights movement was reshaping America’s landscape, and Motown stood at a unique crossroads—crafting music that was accessible yet meaningful. While many records of the time blared with calls for change or celebratory joy, this Four Tops ballad offered a quiet but potent reflection on personal responsibility and emotional integrity.
In a decade where identities were being sought, challenged, and redefined, “What Is a Man” spoke to many who found themselves caught between tradition and progress. It questioned what it meant not only to be a man but to be a moral individual in a changing world. As Motown historian Marvin Gaines summarized, “This song wasn’t loud but it was deep. It echoed the inner turmoil a lot of men felt but rarely spoke about. That gave it a timeless quality.”
Lyrics That Continue to Resonate
The beauty of “What Is a Man” lies in its blend of poetic simplicity and philosophical depth. Lines like:
“He knows how to laugh,
He knows when to cry.
He knows it’s best to live,
He’s afraid to die.”
offer a window into the paradox of strength and vulnerability, wisdom and fear. The song’s refrain presses listeners to confront their own values and decisions. In many ways, the questions asked still reverberate in modern conversations about masculinity, identity, and emotional honesty.
It’s no accident that the track remains a cherished, though perhaps underrated, gem in The Four Tops’ catalog. As contemporary singer and admirer Michael McDonald once reflected, “Songs like this remind us that soul music wasn’t just about feeling—it was about being honest with yourself, with others.”
A Lasting Legacy in Motown’s Rich Tapestry
More than half a century on, “What Is a Man” endures as a stirring testament to Motown’s ability to marry beautiful musicality with meaningful storytelling. It serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards of confronting one’s inner truths amid societal pressures.
For The Four Tops, a group often celebrated for their exuberant hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” this song uncovers a deeper layer—proof of their artistic range and emotional bravery. It’s a moment where music becomes not just entertainment, but an intimate inquiry into what it means to live authentically.
The question posed by the song’s haunting refrain lingers in the air well beyond the final note: what is a man? If music is a mirror to the human soul, this timeless ballad reflects the complexity, contradictions, and courage that define us all.