Many people want to know who wrote Poetry Man. It’s a song that is often embedded into people’s memories. Through a careful inspection of the lyrics and background, we can find the amazing story of the particular musician who crafted this unforgettable classic.
The impossible-to-forget “Poetry Man” was first released in 1973 as a single on Dunhill Records, and later gained widespread fame when it appeared on Phoebe Snow’s 1975 self-titled debut album. Supported by a sparse guitar accompaniment, Snow’s distinctive contralto is easy to recognize in the soulful song about the elusive lover who won the singer’s heart then quickly left the scene. Composed by veteran songwriter and producer David “Pete” Schaeffer who wrote for many renowned soul and pop artists of his time, the track also features a traditional soul intro added by Paul “Killer” Halter, who also acted as a producer and played keyboards in the recording session.
What has, however, remained a mystery until today is the identity of the songwriter. “Poetry Man” is one of those songs attributed to a “mystery composer” and was long believed to had been written by the celebrated figures of the folk-rock and singer-songwriter scene, such as possibly Laura Nyro or Joni Mitchell. Music journalist Peter Kramfel, an authority in the world of songwriting argues that, based on his knowledge of these two particular artists’ techniques, neither Shelley nor Mitchell were behind the creation of the song.
In fact, the truth about the creator of “Poetry Man” was eventually revealed by another music legend: Bette Midler. The story goes that in 1973, Midler heard a tape of the song that was given to her by its composer, Kenny Rankin. Rankin is a highly influential singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who recorded several albums and wrote a number of hit songs for many other artists across different genres, including jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Manhattan Transfer and Van Morrison.
Rankin is fondly remembered as an immensely talented musician and arranger, able to draw out a wide range of emotional qualities in his delicious sounding tracks. His recordings, such as “Peaceful” and “In The Name of Love”, exhibit his unique style, which employed fingerpicking and blues-driven melodies to intense and amazing effect. Rankin achived much of his commercial success during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he released a series of hit records on Warner Bros. Records and other labels.
The magical and romantic “Poetry Man” is without a doubt one of the greatest and most powerful tracks that came from Rankin’s pen.Snow’s heartbreaking and ethereal performance gives justice to the up-tempo song full of feeling, honouring its melody and colorful use of inventive and crafty lyrical metaphors.Midler commented on the song’s timeless power and confessed to massively enjoying it. In truth, “Poetry Man” has remained popular all these years, thanks to the way it touches so many people’s hearts.
The Song’s Influences on Other Artists
The song was so successful and infectious that it was covered by a long list of stars such as Leonard Cohen, Linda Ronstadt and Donna Summer, becoming a sort of minor classic. The influence of Kenny Rankin’s songwriting can be heard in the music of a number of popular artists today. The Canadian musician Joel Plaskett is a well-know Rankin fan who has frequently covered his songs and even released an album featuring Rankin’s works in 2009, titled “Truth in the Wild”.
Plaskett has found himself continuously revisiting Rankin’s artistry and has remarked on the inspiring subtleties of the songwriter’s mastery, commenting on his composition dexterity and unique use of simple but effective musical ideas.
Pop superstar Adele is also counted among the admirers of Rankin’s work. Her 2012 single “Skyfall”, featuring on the James Bond of the same name, is thought to have drawn heavy inspiration from Rankin’s 1977 song, “The Summer Knows”. Other artists such as Alicia Keys and Norah Jones have also performed Rankin’s songs and collected myriad commercial accomplishments from it.
Kenny Rankin’s Legacy
Kenny Rankin has left behind a memorable impression on the music industry and the public alike and is likely to remain one of the most beloved and versatile musicians of his time. Even today, the warm emotion expressed in “Poetry Man” continues to evoke a powerful response from listeners, who connect the feeling of their shared experiences and solace.
In addition to his own records, Rankin is renowned for his many recording sessions both as a solo artist and a session musician, as a songwriter, and as an arranger and producer. Many artists, including Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, have been deeply inspired by his work, which will continue to influence music and bind its listeners together through unique expressions of feelings and emotions.
Poetry Man’s Impact
The music of Kenny Rankin has not only endured, but also provided an impressive number of breakthroughs and unexpected successes. “Poetry Man” remains a cornerstone in his work and is especially influential due to its ability to create a uniquely memorable atmosphere that can be found in the equally heartbreaking and harkeningly hopeful feeling that it evokes.
The impassioned, understanding and captivating take on shattered dreams that lies within the deliciously bittersweet notes of the track are indelibly tied with the aura of loneliness and despair of the singer-songwriter’s soulful narrative. The nostalgic nature of the track, combined with its time-honored sentiment and raw emotion score particularly high with fans and no doubt contribute to the song’s intense and passionate appeal.
Raising of Awareness Through Poetry Man
It is this kind of well-executed expression of feeling which makes songs like “Poetry Man” so powerful and universally appreciated. They leave a lasting impression, as they’ve come to serve as a catchy, sometimes upbeat reminder of the beautiful things that the lonely and the lovestruck pursuing throughout the years.
These songs, including Rankin’s masterpiece, provide listeners with a powerful tool to understand and relate to different eras of their lives. It is not uncommon for people to recognize and connect moments in their existence with the power of a tune. The music of Kenny Rankin will remain as a reminder of a period where emotions were channeled into melodious soul-stirring stories, which are still remembered and remain important to this day.
Memorable Lasting Impact of Poetry Man
Kenny Rankin’s “Poetry Man” is considered by many music lovers to be a genuine classic of soul and folk-pop music. It is the kind of song that makes us recognize, understand, and connect with our own feelings, as well as those of the characters of its story.
The story of Poetry Man also serves as a reminder that very often the genius behind a beloved classic may not, in fact, be as celebrated as the performers who happened to bring them in front of the wider public. Even though such amazing and popular people as Phoebe Snow, Bette Midler, Leonard Cohen, and Linda Ronstadt can bring these wonderful songs to the world, it is because of the hard work and creative genius of Kenny Rankin’s of the like that we can be made richer by being able to listen to them.
