Woman by John Lennon Lyrics Meaning – The Anthemic Ode to Feminine Influence and Love Rediscovered
Lyrics
Woman
I can hardly express
My mixed emotions at my thoughtlessness
After all, I’m forever in your debt
And woman
I will try to express
My inner feeling and thankfulness
For showing me the meaning of success
Ooh, well, well
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Ooh, well, well
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Woman
I know you understand
The little child inside the man
Please remember my life is in your hands
And woman
Hold me close to your heart
However distant, don’t keep us apart
After all it is written in the stars
Ooh, well, well
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Ooh, well, well
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Well, woman
Please let me explain
I never meant to cause you sorrow or pain
So let me tell you again and again and again
I love you, yeah, yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah, yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah, yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah, yeah
In the quiet corners of our minds, a melody can echo more than just a tune—it can stir a revelation, a sentiment, an introspective journey. Amongst such songs that carry this profound weight is John Lennon’s ‘Woman,’ a tender, candid, and soul-stirring tribute. A nuanced gaze into the lyrics reveals the depth of Lennon’s adoration, his reflections on personal growth, and his mature understanding of love and partnership.
Crafted in the intimate and vulnerable style characteristic of Lennon’s later works, ‘Woman’ captures the essence of a man coming into full awareness of the importance and value of the feminine spirit in his life. As we peel back the layers of this heartwarming track, we uncover the rich emotional landscape that John Lennon navigates, offering a timeless message that resonates as much today as it did in the era of its inception.
Unveiling the Vulnerability within ‘Woman’
Through his raw and unguarded lyrics in ‘Woman,’ Lennon allows us to witness his deep personal enlightenment. He crafts a profound acknowledgment of his own failings—his ‘mixed emotions’ and ‘thoughtlessness’—while also recognizing the redeeming power of his partner’s love. The song is an outpouring of Lennon’s realization: the strength it takes to be womanly and supportive, and the strength it demands from him to fully express that hard-earned gratitude.
It’s arguably in these candid admissions where Lennon humanizes himself, deliberately stepping down from the pedestal of fame to stand vulnerable and accountable. He acknowledges his debt to the woman in his life, not just in a financial or superficial sense, but in a deeply existential way, highlighting how our partners often guide us towards our ultimate definitions of success.
The ‘Little Child’ Within: A Look at Lennon’s Emotional Maturity
A remarkable moment in ‘Woman’ is Lennon’s admission of there being a ‘little child inside the man.’ This metaphor reflects his evolution in understanding masculinity and emotional dependency. In recognizing and embracing the immaturity that men, including himself, can harbor, Lennon extends a request for patience and nurturing from the women in their lives.
His cognizance of his partner’s role as a caregiver and source of emotional stability testifies to his growing insight into the dynamics of adult relationships. Underneath the fame and his well-established image of a rebel rock star, Lennon reveals his humanity and the universal quest for love and acceptance.
Love Written in the Stars: The Destiny of Togetherness
Many songs have grappled with the theme of fated love, but ‘Woman’ approaches it with a mixture of humility and serenity. When Lennon sings, ‘After all, it is written in the stars,’ he radiates a sense of peace with the journey he’s on and with the cosmic inevitability of his connection with his partner, Yoko Ono.
Such acknowledgment goes beyond the traditional romantic sentiment. Instead, it speaks to a spiritual alignment and a belief that their pairing carries a significance that predates their earthly existence—an almost karmic resonance that justifies the struggles and passions they have faced together.
Dissecting the Song’s Hidden Meaning: An Advocate for Change
While ‘Woman’ is perhaps most overtly a love song, there’s an undercurrent of social commentary flowing through its verses. The opening dedication, ‘For the other half of the sky,’ suggests Lennon saw himself as an advocate for recognizing and elevating women’s roles globally. It’s a subtle nod towards equality and a recognition of the sacred, often overlooked contributions women make.
In expressing his mea culpa for past missteps, Lennon seems to urge not just personal but collective repentance and growth. He sets an example for other men and society as a whole, pleading for acknowledgment of the profound debts owed to women—debts of emotional labor, nurturing, and the silent work that has long sustained families and communities.
‘I Love You, Yeah, Yeah’: The Unforgettable Affirmation of Lasting Love
Lennon’s words are simple yet they resonate with anyone who has sought to express the depth of their affection, ‘I love you, yeah, yeah, now and forever.’ This mantra-like closing to the song encapsulates a promise, an unending commitment that defies the mundane patterns of daily life and transcends to something eternal.
The repetitiveness of this phrase ignites a sort of chant, an incantation that serves to imprint his message of adoration deeply in the listener’s mind. There lies the universal appeal of Lennon’s message—timeless and boundless love, a sentiment as relevant in the quiet struggles of everyday life as it is in the sweeping narratives of grand romances.
