Soul Man – English Lyrics

• By: Sam Moore, Pitingo

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of classic soul with "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave! This iconic 1967 hit is more than just a catchy tune; it's a powerful anthem born from the Civil Rights Movement, embodying pride, resilience, and unity. Learning the lyrics and understanding the historical context behind "Soul Man" offers a unique glimpse into a pivotal era of American history and the rich cultural fabric of soul music. Its call-and-response vocals and energetic delivery make it a perfect song to appreciate the expressive power of English in music, showcasing how rhythm and words can carry deep meaning and emotion.

[English]

Comin' to you on a dusty road

Good lovin', I've got a truckload

And when you get it, uh, you got something

So, don't worry, 'cause I'm coming

I'm a soul man (oh)

I'm a soul man

I'm a soul man

I'm a soul man (carry on)

I got what I got, the hard way

And I'll make it better each and every day

So, honey, but don't you fret

'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet, no

I'm a soul man (oh, Lord)

I'm a soul man (play, Steve)

I'm a soul man (ah)

I'm a soul man (oh)

I was brought up on a side street (listen now)

I learned how to love before I could eat

I was educated at Woodstock

When I start lovin', oh, I can't stop

I'm a soul man (oh)

I'm a soul man (oh, yeah)

I'm a soul man (yeah)

I'm a soul man (look)

Just grab a rope

And I'll pull you in

Give you hope

And be your only boyfriend

Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah

I'm talkin' about a (soul man)

I'm a (soul man)

I can be your (soul man)

Ah-ah (soul man)

Oh, no (soul man)

I'm a (soul man)

I can be your (soul man)

I can be your (soul man)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
dusty /ˈdʌsti/ B2	adjective - covered with or full of dust
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface that cars, buses, and trucks can use
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - of high quality
truckload /ˈtrʌkloʊd/ B2	noun - the amount that a truck can carry
worry /ˈwɜːri/ A2	verb - to think about problems or unpleasant things that might happen in a way that makes you feel anxious
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal
hard /hɑːrd/ A2	adjective - difficult to do or understand
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
better /ˈbetər/ A2	adjective - more satisfactory, pleasing, or effective
fret /fret/ C1	verb - to be constantly or visibly anxious
side /saɪd/ A1	noun - a position to the left or right of an object, place, or person.
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town that has buildings along one or both sides
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong feeling of deep affection for (someone or something)
eat /iːt/ A1	verb - put (food) into the mouth and chew and swallow it
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - bring or come to an abrupt halt
rope /roʊp/ A2	noun - a length of strong cord made by twisting together strands of hemp, sisal, nylon, or similar material
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
boyfriend /ˈbɔɪfrend/ A2	noun - a romantic partner.

Key Grammar Structures

• Comin' to you on a dusty road

  ➔ Present continuous tense (shortened form)

  ➔ "Comin'" is a shortened, informal version of "Coming", indicating an action happening now. The full sentence would be "I am coming to you on a dusty road."

• Good lovin', I've got a truckload

  ➔ Present perfect tense (shortened form)

  ➔ "I've got" is a shortened form of "I have got", which is an alternative way of saying "I have". It implies possession or availability.

• And when you get it, uh, you got something

  ➔ Conditional clause (zero conditional)

  ➔ This is a zero conditional, expressing a general truth or fact. The structure is "If/When + present simple, present simple". "You got" is an informal way to say "you have got/ you have" something.

• So, don't worry, 'cause I'm coming

  ➔ Imperative (negative) and present continuous tense (shortened)

  ➔ "Don't worry" is a negative imperative, a command not to do something. "'Cause" is a shortened form of "because". "I'm coming" is present continuous, indicating an action in progress.

• I got what I got, the hard way

  ➔ Relative clause (implied 'that')

  ➔ The first "I got" is the main clause. The second "I got" is part of a relative clause modifying "what". It's equivalent to "I got what I got the hard way", where 'that' is omitted. It could be rephrased as "I got what I have obtained/received/experienced the hard way."

• And I'll make it better each and every day

  ➔ Future simple tense (shortened form)

  ➔ "I'll make" is a shortened form of "I will make", indicating a future intention or prediction. "Each and every day" emphasizes the frequency and consistency of the action.

• I was brought up on a side street

  ➔ Past simple passive voice

  ➔ "Was brought up" is the past simple passive form of "bring up", meaning "to raise" or "to nurture". The subject (I) received the action of being raised, rather than performing it.

• I learned how to love before I could eat

  ➔ Past simple tense and past modal verb 'could'

  ➔ "Learned" is in the past simple tense. "Could" expresses past ability, indicating that the ability to eat came after the ability to love. "How to love" is an infinitive phrase acting as the direct object of "learned".