Half a Boy and Half a Man


"Half a Boy and Half a Man" is a 1984 song written by Nick Lowe. It was first included in his 1984 album Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit. The song was then released as the lead single from the album.
The song was his most successful since "Cruel to Be Kind." It debuted at No. 77, and peaked at No. 53 on the UK singles chart, and it reached No. 66 in Australia. The single also peaked at number 110 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. A music video was made for the song.

Critical reception

Cash Box writes that the song "is typical Nick: straight ahead, no-nonsense rock’n’roll slippin’ and a slidin’ around a set of pointedly sardonic lyrics." AllMusic's Stewart Mason calls the song a "breathless opener to an ultimately disappointing album," and that "Half a Boy and Half a Man" is "arguably the best thing Nick Lowe wrote in the '80s." Music Week described the song as "High energy, country-tinged rock 'n' roll with a fast pumping bass and Wurlitzer organ playing the main melody."

Notable cover versions