"Charles Atlas Song (Reprise)" 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, with a small dialogue line by Julie Covington, Abigale Haness, and Susan Sarandon, respectively. It was also performed by Reg Livermore and Jane Harders in the 1974 Australian production, by Tim McInnerny and Gina Bellman in the 1990 West End Revival, by Tom Hewitt and Alice Ripley in the 2001 Broadway Revival, and by Laverne Cox and Victoria Justice in the 2016 reimagining TV film.
Context[]
After killing Eddie, Dr. Frank-N-Furter tries to explain himself to Rocky, who thinks Eddie was too ugly to be kept around. Frank says it was a mercy killing as Eddie had a naïve charm but no muscles like Rocky does, so he then performs this song. 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 (Reprise)".
Lyrics[]
- Lyrics from the 1974 Los Angeles, USA stage production:
Frank-N-Furter:
But a deltoid and a bicep
A hot groin and a tricep
Makes me... ah, shake
Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the...hand
Frank and company:
In just seven days I can make you a man
Frank:
I don't want no dissension
Just dynamic tension
Janet:
I'm a muscle fan
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man
Frank:
Dig it if you can
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man
- Lyrics from the 1975 original film:
Frank-N-Furter:
But a deltoid and a bicep
A hot groin and a tricep
Makes me... shake
Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the... hand
Frank and company:
In just seven days
Frank:
Oh baby
Frank and company:
I can make you a man
Frank:
I don't want no dissension
Just dynamic tension
Janet:
I'm a muscle fan
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man
Frank:
Dig it if you can
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man
- Lyrics from the 2001 Broadway Revival:
Frank-N-Furter:
He had a naïve charm but no muscle
We had a mental relationship
But a
Frank (company):
(Deltoid) Deltoid and a bicep (and a bicep)
A (Hot groin) hot groin and a tricep (and a tricep)
Makes me... (A deltoid and a bicep and a)
Shake (Hot groin and a tricep)
Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the... hand (Hand)
In just seven days
I can make you a man (Man)
I don't want no dissension (dissension)
Just dynamic tension (tension)
Janet:
I'm a muscle fan
Frank (company):
In just seven days
I can make you a man (Man)
(Dig it) Dig it if you can (Can)
In just seven days, I can make you a man
- Lyrics from the 2016 TV reimagination film:
Frank-N-Furter:
But a deltoid and a bicep
A hot groin and a tricep
Makes me... shake
Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the... hand
Frank and company:
In just seven days
I can make you a man
Frank:
I don't want no dissension
Just dynamic tension
Janet:
I'm a muscle fan
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man
Frank:
Dig it if you can
Frank and company:
In just seven days, I can make you a man