"Mister, You're a Better Man Than I", alternately listed as "Mr. You're a Better Man Than I" and simply as "You're a Better Man Than I", is a song first recorded by the English rock band the Yardbirds. It was written by brothers Mike and Brian Hugg, and was introduced as the B-side to the "Shapes of Things" single in February 1966 (see 1966 in music). The song also appears as the opening track to the Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds album, released a year prior to the single. With its politically-conscientious lyrics and catchy melody, "Mister, You're a Better Man Than I" has been covered several times. The most successful rendition was recorded by American garage rock band Terry Knight and the Pack, who earned a minor national hit with the tune.

With the exception of "Still I'm Sad", the composition, like other tracks on Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds, was not penned by any of the band members. Nonetheless, "Mister, You're a Better Man Than I", along with "Shapes of Things", is perhaps the best example of Jeff Beck's experimentation with distorted guitar instrumentals and use of feedback in the Yardbirds' recordings. Also like "Shapes of Things", the composition incorporated elements of psychedelic rock. Lyrically, the song makes a statement directed toward issues concerning the era such as judging others based on race, government intervention, and use of violence. Music critic Matthew Greenwald, writing on the Allmusic website, notes the tune as a successful attempt at producing contemporary folk rock without "compromising the band's dark, threatening lyrics".

...
Wikipedia