Handy Man

Album

Single

Label

Cub Records

Genre

Rock & Roll

Composer(s)

Jimmy Jones;Otis Blackwell

Entered Chart

Dec 28, 1959

Peak Date

Feb 29, 1960

Released

December 1959

Recorded

1959

Catalog #

Cub 9049

B-Side

The Search Is Over

Handy Man" is a song written by singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Recordings by Del Shannon and also The Sparks Of Rhythm list Charles Merenstein as a co-writer, as does BMI. The Sparks Of Rhythm version on the Apollo 541 single version released in 1959 credits Andrew Barksdale and Merenstein as writers omitting Jimmy Jones. The song is noted for Jones singing "Come-a, come-a come-a come-a, come come-a, yeah" lyrics, which are heard at the beginning as well as in the coda of the song, before the song's fade. It was originally recorded by The Sparks Of Rhythm, a group Jones had been a member of when he wrote it, although he was not with them when they recorded it. That version was in a minor key, and had a completely different melody. When Jimmy Jones recorded it, the song was changed to a major key, with a completely different melody. In 1959, Jones recorded the song himself, in a version which had been reworked by Blackwell,[3] who also produced the session. In addition, Blackwell also provided the whistling, which is prominently heard throughout the whole song. "Handy Man" became a million seller, reaching No. 3 on the R&B charts, No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 behind Theme from A Summer Place by Percy Faith., and No. 3 in Canada.[4][5] The song was a hit again in 1964, reaching No. 22 for Del Shannon and No. 10 in Canada[6], and yet again in 1977 for James Taylor. Taylor's version peaked at No. 1 in September 1977 on the RPM Top Singles chart.[7] Measured in terms of popularity on any chart, Taylor's version of the song was the most successful. It reached No. 2 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Taylor's version also earned him his second Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.[8] Taylor's version featured Leah Kunkel as backup singer, singing the "comma comma" sections in harmony, which is heard after the second verse as well as in the coda of the song. AllMusic critic Jason Elias compares Jones' original with Taylor's version stating that "where Jones’s version was chipper and a little obnoxious," Taylor's version "is so laid back it’s almost somnolent."[8] Elias notes that Taylor's slowed down version has the benefit of allowing him to shade the words in new ways.[8] Elias also praises Taylor's guitar playing.[8] Billboard described Taylor's version as "fluidly soft and laid back throughout" with spice added by the background harmonies.[9] Cash Box said that "Taylor lends his unmistakable voice to a song originally made famous by Jimmy Jones in 1960" and that "the arrangement is stretched out, the general tenor is mellow, and Peter Asher's production ear has kept all the sounds in a tasteful balance."[10] Record World said that "Taylor's reading of it transforms the frantic pace of [Jones' and Shannon's] hits into a slow, considered ballad."[11] James Taylor version personnel

Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can
If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can
Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can
If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day