Disappointed by the song's modest success elsewhere, Desmond Child later re-wrote the song with Jon Bon Jovi. Under its new title, "You Give Love a Bad Name", Bon Jovi's version reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's melody was used again in Ava Max's 2020 single "Kings & Queens", co-written by Desmond Child.
If You Were A Woman
Bonnie Tyler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How's it feel to be a man
Are we really that different
Tell me where you stand
I look at you, you look away
Why do you say we're night and day
I'd like to try another way
Oh baby for just one day
[Chorus:]
If you were a woman and I was a man
Would it be so hard to understand
That a heart to heart and we do what we can
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
How's it feel to be the hunter
How's it feel to be the prey
Is there really a reason
For this game we play
I look at you, you look away
Why do you say we're night and day
I'd like to try another way
Oh darling, just one day
[Chorus]
Hey, we're just two people trying to love
Oh but how, how can we love
With this wall between us, holding us back
[Chorus]
In Bonnie Tyler's song "If You Were A Woman", the singer is questioning the differences between men and women and wondering if it would be easier to understand each other by switching roles for just one day. The first verse starts with a question about how it feels to be a woman and how it feels to be a man. The singer is wondering if the differences between the two genders are really that big and where the other person stands on this matter. The second verse continues this thought process by asking about the roles of hunter and prey and if there is really a reason for the game they play.
The chorus repeats the idea of the two people switching roles and how it might help them understand and communicate with each other better. The bridge emphasizes that they are just two people trying to love each other but are held back by a wall between them. The sentiment is that if they could just see things from each other's perspective, that wall might come down and they could connect on a deeper level.
Overall, the lyrics of "If You Were A Woman" highlight the idea of empathy and understanding in relationships. By trying to see things from the other person's point of view and walking in their shoes for a brief time, the hope is that the two people can come together and connect emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
How's it feel to be a woman
Asking how it feels like to be born and grow up as a female
How's it feel to be a man
Asking how it feels like to be born and grow up as a male
Are we really that different
Questioning whether the inherent differences between men and women are significant enough to justify the way they are treated unequally
Tell me where you stand
Asking for the listener's perspective on the issue of gender inequality
I look at you, you look away
Expressing the discomfort and avoidance when discussing the topic of gender inequality
Why do you say we're night and day
Rhetorical question expressing confusion as to why society portrays men and women as fundamentally different in nature
I'd like to try another way
Offering an alternative perspective to the traditional gender roles imposed on individuals
Oh baby for just one day
Expressing a desire to temporarily switch genders to gain insight into the experience of the other gender
If you were a woman and I was a man
Hypothetical scenario where the singer and listener swap genders
Would it be so hard to understand
Questioning why society struggles to empathize with individuals who have different experiences based on their gender
That a heart to heart and we do what we can
Suggesting that if individuals communicate honestly and do their best to understand each other, gender differences should not be a barrier to a successful relationship
How's it feel to be the hunter
Asking how it feels to be the aggressor in a relationship
How's it feel to be the prey
Asking how it feels to be the recipient of unwanted advances or sexual advances
Is there really a reason
Questioning the purpose and justification for playing these gender roles
For this game we play
Metaphorically describing societal expectations and restrictions placed upon individuals based on their gender
Hey, we're just two people trying to love
Highlighting the shared desire and human experience of wanting to love and be loved
Oh but how, how can we love
Expressing the difficulty of finding true love in a society where gender differences are emphasized and reinforced
With this wall between us, holding us back
Metaphorical representation of the societal barriers that prevent individuals from forming mutually respectful and loving relationships with people of different genders
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND CHILD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kamil5400
Tekst piosenki:
How's it feel to be a woman
How's it feel to be a man
Are we really that different
Tell me where we stand
I look at you, you look away
Why do you say, we're night and day
I'd like to try, another way
Oh baby, for just one day
If you were a woman and I was a man
Would it be so hard, to understand
That a heart to heart, and we do what we can
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
How's it feel to be the hunter
How's it feel to be the prey
Is there really a reason
For this game we play
I look at you, you look away
Why do you say, we're night and day
I'd like to try, another way
Oh darling, for just one day
If you were a woman and I was a man
Would it be so hard, to understand
That a heart to heart, and we do what we can
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
Hey, we're just two people trying to love
Oh but how, how can we love
With this wall between us, holding us back
If you were a woman and I was a man
Would it be so hard, to understand
That a heart to heart, and we do what we can
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
Would it be so hard, to understand
That a heart to heart, and we do what we can
If you were a woman and I was a man
If you were a woman and I was a man
@BonnieTylerOfficial
Still very proud of this song, and the album it comes from. All credit to the amazing Desmond Child 💖
@joejoe6622
Bonnie Tyler responding to her song 11 years later!?!?! Fun fact we come from the same town
@gogos8274
We need more music like this . I believe this music build personalities
@bradleysimmonds3360
You should be proud. Few people realise that you paved the way for Bon Jovi's hit "you give love a bad name"
@ninom4975
your most underrated song and most magnificent vocal performance for me together with Islands and Holding out for a hero :) <3
@adrianapereira2407
Queen 👸
@HusbandoCollector
This song was really ahead of its time. and has such an important message that even modern society forgets constantly
@hollowwoods7130
Ayo is that Azul Ashengrotto in your pfp-
@Life-zu2tv
Modern Society have more knowledge, but lesser Wisdom.
@holyeppie
What a bs. Modern society is all about this