Almost every song written by a guy is about a girl in some way, shape, or form. The intent of some, like “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” or ELO’s “Evil Woman,” are pretty clear. Billy Joel’s “She’s Always A Woman” less so.
The song is considered one of the Piano Man’s most poignant, if misunderstood compositions. Despite some of its lyrics – “she steals like a thief,” “she can ruin your faith with her casual lies” – Joel has revealed that it was, in fact, a love song celebrating, and in defense of, his wife’s business acumen.
Elizabeth Weber had taken over (and straightened out) the singer’s business affairs with a tough-as-nails style that, at the time, was not appreciated in the male-dominated music business, but which didn’t diminish her feminine appeal in Joel’s eyes in the slightest. Indeed, she was, he sang, “ahead of her time” and “always a woman to me.”
(Joel also wrote “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Got a Way” about Weber.)
Reportedly the singer Pink played ‘Always a Woman’ at her wedding and told Joel she wished it had been written about her.
Released in 1977 on Joel’s classic album “The Stranger,” the song remains a fan favourite, though he has apparently seldom played it live following the couple’s divorce in 1982. This version would seem to be an exception, from a performance in Tokyo in 2006.
Lyrics
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 live
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
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
She will 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
She is frequently kind
And she’s suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She’s nobody’s fool
But 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
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