Released: 1977
Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman” is a song that wraps up the complex nature of a woman he loves in melodies that stay. Through its lyrics, Joel portrays the dualities of this woman—her strengths, contradictions, and the unconditional love he holds for her. It’s a true-blue rock ballad that dives deep into the heart of relationships, peeling back the layers to reveal the raw and real underneath.
The opening lines, “She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes”, immediately set the tone. Joel is talking about a woman whose mere presence and actions, as gentle or simple as they may seem, hold the power to deeply affect those around her. These lines aren’t just pretty words; they reflect how someone can captivate and hurt without touching a thing—not with physical force, but with something far more potent: emotions and psychological impacts.
As we move through the song, Joel uses contrasts to sketch this woman’s character. She’s painted as both caring and indifferent, capable of love and apathy. Phrases like “And she’ll take what you give her as long as it’s free” and “Yeah, she steals like a thief” suggest she’s opportunistic, yet not in a materialistic way—it’s more about emotional bargains and personal connections.
The chorus, “Oh, she takes care of herself, She can wait if she wants, She’s ahead of her time”, highlights her independence and strength. The woman doesn’t rely on anyone else for her well-being or happiness. Joel admires her for being self-sufficient, a trait that was especially provocative and forward-thinking at the time the song was released.
Lines like “And the most she will do is throw shadows at you” are about the emotional distances she maintains. Throwing shadows means she never fully reveals her true self, always keeping a part of her hidden. This could be a protective measure or simply her nature, but it adds to her mystique and the complexity of understanding her fully. Joel seems to suggest that despite these challenges, the essence of her womanhood and her identity remains unchanged and authentic to him.
Through “She’s Always a Woman”, Billy Joel doesn’t just sing about love; he delves into the nuances of human relationships and the multifaceted nature of a partner. He celebrates the good, bad, and everything in between, acknowledging that the very things that frustrate or hurt can also be sources of beauty and strength. In the end, despite her contradictions, she remains irreplaceably and undeniably a woman to him. It’s a tribute that feels raw and real, set against the backdrop of rock’s emotive power.
