Struggling vocalist
Percy Sledge had just been let go from a job working construction in 1965 when his girlfriend left him to pursue a career as a model. A heartbroken
Sledge poured his sorrow into a song called "When a Man Loves a Woman," and a year later, the song became a smash that rose to the top of the pop and R&B charts.
Sledge would enjoy a handful of hits over the next several years, and
Rhino Hi-Five: Percy Sledge features five of his biggest and best-known songs from his mid-'60s heyday, showing off his rich voice and his knack for slow, sad songs about the sweet and bitter sides of love. Selections include "When a Man Loves a Woman," "Warm and Tender Love," "It Tears Me Up," "Cover Me," and "Out of Left Field." ~ Mark Deming