"Charles Atlas Song" is a song from theatrical and cinematographic productions of The Rocky Horror Show since 1973 to this day, including the 1975 original film, the 2015 tribute production celebrating 40 years, and the 2016 reimagining film. Music and lyrics were composed by Richard O'Brien back in 1972 while the original musical arrangements are from Richard Hartley.
This song is not included in the 1973 Original London Cast recording because the album was recorded before "Charles Atlas Song", "Charles Atlas Song (Reprise)", "Eddie's Teddy", and "Planet Schmanet, Janet" were added to the show. Nonetheless, these songs were already written just as the rest of the music.
It was originally performed by Tim Curry in the original 1973 stage production, the 1974 Roxy production in Los Angeles, the original Broadway production, and the 1975 original film. It was also performed by Reg Livermore in the 1974 Australian production, by Tim McInnerny in the 1990 West End Revival, by Tom Hewitt in the 2001 Broadway Revival, and by Laverne Cox in the 2016 reimagining TV film.
Context
Dr. Frank-N-Furter proudly presents his new creature, Rocky Horror, for whom he plans to use the Charles Atlas method to improve his physic. Charles Atlas is the name behind a muscle-building program frequently advertised in comic books. It was popular in the 50's and promised to "make you a new man in just seven days" utilizing a method called "dynamic tension", which could very well be code for "anabolic steroids". After the 1975 film, this song's name was changed to "I Can Make You a Man".
Lyrics
- Lyrics from the 1974 Los Angeles, USA stage production:
Frank-N-Furter:
A weakling weighing 98 pounds
Got sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
His girl split on him
And then, in the gym
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Make him glisten, and gleam
And with massage
And just a little bit of steam
He was thin but quite clean
He was in good shape
Company:
But the wrong shape
Frank-N-Furter:
He ate nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs
Then a magazine advert with a new muscle plan
Said in just seven days - You're ready, my baby?
Company (Frank):
I can make you a man (man)
Frank-N-Furter:
He'd done press ups and chin ups
Clean and jerked, done the Snatch
Thought dynamic tension must be a catch
So he re-read the advert to see how it ran
It said in just seven days - You're ready, my sugar?
Company (Frank):
I can make you a man (man)
- Lyrics from the 1975 original film:
Frank-N-Furter:
A weakling weighing 98 pounds
Will get sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
And soon in the gym
With a determined chin
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Will make him glisten, and gleam
And with massage
And just a little bit of steam
He’ll be pink and quite clean
He’ll be a strong man
Oh honey!
Frank and company:
But the wrong shape
Frank-N-Furter:
He ate nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs
Such an effort if he only knew of my plan
In just seven days
Frank and company:
I can make you a man
Frank-N-Furter:
He'll do press ups and chin ups
Do the snatch, clean and jerked
He thinks dynamic tension must be hard work
Such strenuous living, I just don’t understand
When in just seven days
Oh baby
I can make you a man!
- Lyrics from the 2001 Broadway Revival:
Frank-N-Furter:
A weakling weighing 98 pounds
Got sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
And soon in the gym
With a determined chin
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Will make him glisten, and gleam
And with massage
And just a little bit of steam
He’ll be pink but quite clean
Frank (company):
He’ll be a strong man (strong man)
But the wrong man (but the wrong man)
Frank-N-Furter:
He ate nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs
Such an effort if he only knew of my plan
When in just seven days
Frank (company):
I can make you a man (Man)
Frank-N-Furter:
He'll do press ups and chin ups
Do the snatch, clean and jerked
Dynamic tension seems like awfully hard work
Such strenuous living, I just can’t understand
When in just seven days
Frank (company):
I can make you a man (Man)
- Lyrics from the 2016 TV reimagination film:
Frank-N-Furter:
A weakling weighing 98 pounds
Will get sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
And soon in the gym
With a determined chin
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Will make him glisten, and gleam
And with massage
And just a little bit of steam
He’ll be pink and quite clean
Frank and company:
He’ll be a strong man (strong man)
But the wrong man (the wrong man)
Frank-N-Furter:
He ate nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs
Such an effort if he only knew of my plan
In just seven days
Frank (company):
I can make you a man (man)
Frank-N-Furter:
He'll do press ups and chin ups
Do the snatch, clean and jerked
He thinks dynamic tension must be hard work
Such strenuous living, I just don’t understand
When in just seven days
Frank (company):
I can make you a man (man)
