We have been listening to a lot of music on our drives between northern towns. Bryan Pike, our driver, is also our DJ; he has a well-stocked music machine and is open to requests.

Yesterday, somewhere between Decker Lake and Vanderhoof, Kristin wanted to hear Billy Joel, and Bryan complied. One of the songs reminded me of other songs (written by men) with "Woman" in the title.

SHE’S A WOMAN
(Lennon & McCartney)

My love don't give me presents.
I know that she's no peasant,
Only ever has to give me love forever and forever,
My love don't give me presents,
Turn me on when I get lonely,
People tell me that she's only
Foolin', I know she isn't.

She don't give the boys the eye,
She hates to see me cry,
She is happy just to hear me say
That I will never leave her.
She don't give the boys the eye,
She will never make me jealous,
Gives me all her time as well as
Lovin', don't ask me why.

She's a woman who understands.
She's a woman who loves her man.

My love don't give me presents.
I know that she's no peasant,
Only ever has to give me love forever and forever,
My love don't give me presents,
Turn me on when I get lonely,
People tell me that she's only
Foolin', I know she isn't.

Shes a woman who understands
Shes a woman who loves her man

My love don't give me presents.
I know that she's no peasant,
Only ever has to give me love forever and forever,
My love don't give me presents,
Turn me on when I get lonely,
People tell me that she's only
Foolin', I know she isn't.

She's a woman, she's a woman.

1964


JUST LIKE A WOMAN
(Bob Dylan)

Nobody feels any pain
Tonight as I stand inside the rain
Ev'rybody knows
That Baby's got new clothes
But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
Have fallen from her curls
She takes just like a woman, yes she does
She makes love just like a woman, yes she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.

Queen Mary, she's my friend
Yes, I believe I'll go see her again
Nobody has to guess
That Baby can't be blessed
Till she finally sees that she's like all the rest
With her fog, her amphetamine and her pearls
She takes just like a woman, yes she does
She makes love just like a woman, yes she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.

It's was raining from the first
And I was dying there of thirst
So I came in here
And your long-time curse hurts
But what's worse
Is this pain in here
I can't stay in here
Ain't it clear that.

I just can't fit
Yes, I believe it's time for us to quit
When we meet again
Introduced as friends
Please don't let on that you knew me when
I was hungry and it was your world
Ah, you fake just like a woman, yes you do
You make love just like a woman, yes you do
Then you ache just like a woman
But you break just like a little girl.

1966


SHE’S ALWAYS A WOMAN
(Billy Joel)

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
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 bleedin'
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
--Mhmm--

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
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
--Mhmm--

1977