Shes Always a Woman by Billy Joel Lyrics Meaning – Exploring the Complex Portrait of Femininity in Song
Lyrics
And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child but she’s always a woman to me
She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth but she’ll never believe you
And she’ll take what you give her as long as it’s free
Yeah, she steals like a thief, but she’s always a woman to me
Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She’s ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind
And she’ll promise you more than the garden of Eden
Then she’ll carelessly cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding
But she’ll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself ’cause she’s always a woman to me
Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She’s ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind
She is frequently kind and she’s suddenly cruel
But she can do as she pleases, she’s nobody’s fool
And she can’t be convicted, she’s earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you
But she’s always a woman to me
Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
As the piano chords twine with Billy Joel’s tender voice in ‘She’s Always a Woman,’ listeners are ushered into an intricate depiction of a woman who is multifaceted, enigmatic, and above all, indefinable. The song, nestled within Joel’s 1977 album ‘The Stranger’, has been dissected, discussed, and deified for its poetic approach to portraying the complexities of womanhood.
Beyond its mellifluous melody and haunting charm, ‘She’s Always a Woman’ houses a plethora of meanings and interpretations that resonate with the experience of love, loss, and the intimate confrontation with femininity’s spirited dance. What follows is an exploration into the hidden nuances and bold statements woven into this classic number.
A Love Letter to Feminine Paradoxes
From the very first line, Billy Joel presents us with a character that is both beguiling and contradictory. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who embodies a spectrum of traits – strength and vulnerability, wisdom and naiveté. This duality captivates the listener, inviting us to ponder our own intricate dances with the women in our lives and the multifaceted nature of their charms.
Joel’s muse is at once the epitome of ideal femininity and a sharp deviation from it, challenging the listener’s preconceptions. By creating a portrait that refuses to conform to a single narrative, Joel elevates the song to a contemplation on the true essence of being a woman – beyond societal expectations.
The Haunting Power of Subtext
Beyond the surface themes of love and adoration, ‘She’s Always a Woman’ navigates the deeper waters of gender dynamics and the individualism of the protagonist. Joel’s lyrics suggest that the song’s subject possesses a liberating autonomy that defies and sometimes manipulates the norms and roles assigned to her gender.
In lines such as ‘But she can do as she pleases, she’s nobody’s fool,’ Joel captures a spirit of independence that is both lauded and often criticized when embodied by women. The balancing act between this independence and the commitment to a relationship forms a poignant subtext that underscores the entire piece.
The Sublime and the Bitter in Love’s Ebb and Flow
Joel doesn’t shy away from depicting the darker episodes of love. The striking imagery of a woman who can ‘carelessly cut you and laugh while you’re bleeding’ refers to the intimate knowledge lovers have of each other’s vulnerabilities and the potential for hurt that exists within that closeness.
Yet, the song reverbrates with the conviction that in the seesaw of emotions, the presence of such a woman is ultimately a catalyst for growing and embracing the full spectrum of what it means to love and be loved, the best and the worst.
The Song’s Hidden Meaning: An Ode to the Muse
Speculation suggests that Joel wrote ‘She’s Always a Woman’ for then-wife Elizabeth Weber, his muse and the formidable woman behind his career management. The lyric ‘And the most she will do is throw shadows at you’ could be interpreted as a veiled reference to the protective role she played, casting ‘shadows’ on anything that might harm Joel or their shared interests.
Acknowledging the companionship that inspired such genuine prose, Joel’s song can also be seen as a testament to the muse’s power in the creative process – a tribute laced with personal truths and the complexities of loving a strong-willed partner.
Memorable Lines that Transcend Time
‘Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants, She’s ahead of her time,’ captures an ethos that feels especially resonant today – the portrayal of a self-sufficient woman, surviving and thriving on her own terms. Joel’s words have permeated the fabric of pop culture, ensuring that this character remains as relevant now as she was in the late ’70s.
These lyrics continue to resonate with audiences not just for their melodic beauty, but for their portrayal of a love affair that is as reverential as it is realist, as challenging as it is cheery. They embody a tribute that is neither blind to flaws nor dismissive of virtues, forming an ode to womanhood that is enduringly insightful.
