Jon Matsumoto called the song "a grandiose guilty pleasure". On the other hand, Milo Miles of Boston Phoenix called it a long stretch "of immaculate self-abuse". Live performances Boston played "A Man I'll Never Be" live on the tour supporting their first album in 1977 before recording it for Don't Look Back. Delp played the keyboards for these performances. Ottawa Journal critic Mike Volsin stated that the song's slow melody showed that Boston "can settle into the slower mood without any difficulty". Referring to a live performance of the song prior to its release, Peter Robb stated that Delp's voice "stood out like a shining light". Cover versions Extreme covered the song live in a tribute concert for Brad Delp. After Delp's death, Tommy DeCarlo used the tune to record a song "A Man I'll Always Be" as a tribute to Delp. That recording and several Boston covers he recorded separately led to his getting the job as Boston's new lead singer. Charts References Boston (band) songs 1978 singles Songs written by Tom Scholz Song recordings produced by Tom Scholz Epic Records singles 1977 songs