At the age of 17, she recorded a duet with her father Rufus Thomas, "Because I Love You", which became a Southern hit and gave the Satellite label (later Stax Records) its first real success.
In 1961 she rose to national prominence with "Gee Whiz (Look in His Eyes)", which reached the Top Ten in both the R&B and Pop categories, becoming the first Memphis soul record to have an impact nationwide and ensuring the success of the Stax Records label.
In the next ten years, she had 22 singles on the national charts, including "I'll Bring It on Home to You" (an answer to Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me"), "Let Me Be Good to You", and Isaac Hayes' "B-A-B-Y".
She is well-known for her duets with Otis Redding, from the album King & Queen, including the recordings of the Lowell Fulson composition "Tramp" and the Steve Cropper/Eddie Floyd song "Knock on Wood".
In 1993 Carla Thomas received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
Woman
Carla Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't get angry
I know you were with a friend
But that's just a woman's
Oh, that's a woman's
A woman's love
Oh, yes, it is
When I ask you to say you love me
I know you told just yesterday
But that's just a woman's
Oh, a woman's loving way
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Deep down in my heart
I know you're true
But I can't help
Oh, being jealous of you
You've got so much to satisfy me
And I know you'll keep on, keep on
Keep on keeping me happy, oh, oh
When I ask you to stay at home
I'm not being selfish, oh
I just don't wanna be all alone
And that's just a woman's
Oh, I said a woman's
A woman's love
Oh, yes, it is
I said that's a woman's
Oh, that's a woman's
Oh, it's a woman's love
Oh, yes, it is
I said that's a woman's
Oh, that's a woman's
That's a woman's love
The lyrics of Carla Thomas’s 1966 hit “A Woman’s Love” are a poignant reflection on the complexities of love, particularly in the context of gender roles and societal expectations. Thomas’s lyrics speak to the often-difficult conversations that can arise in relationships, where jealousy, suspicion, and doubt can sometimes cloud our understanding of our loved ones’ actions.
The first verse of the song sees Thomas questioning her lover about his whereabouts, knowing full well that he was with a friend. Despite her awareness of the situation, her jealousy and insecurity cannot be helped – “deep down in my heart, I know you’re true, but I can’t help being jealous of you”. Similarly, in the second verse, Thomas asks her partner to reaffirm his love for her, despite having told her the same thing the day before. However, she acknowledges that this is simply a woman’s way of showing love.
The chorus of the song then reinforces the message that these emotions are part and parcel of a woman’s love, and that there is a certain give and take that is expected in any relationship. Ultimately, the song encapsulates the idea that love is complex, multifaceted, and often challenging to navigate, especially when gender roles come into play.
Line by Line Meaning
When I ask you where you've been
I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm just curious
Don't get angry
I'm not trying to start an argument
I know you were with a friend
I trust you, I just want to know where you were
But that's just a woman's
As a woman, I have certain expectations
Oh, that's a woman's
I'm not trying to be difficult, it's just who I am
A woman's love
My love comes with certain needs and wants
When I ask you to say you love me
I want reassurance of your love
I know you told just yesterday
I'm not questioning your past actions, I just need to hear it again
Oh, a woman's loving way
This is how I express my affection
Deep down in my heart
I have faith in our love
I know you're true
I believe you're faithful
But I can't help
These are my insecurities
Oh, being jealous of you
I just need extra reassurance and attention
You've got so much to satisfy me
You offer so much to our relationship
And I know you'll keep on, keep on
I trust that our love will continue to grow
Keep on keeping me happy, oh, oh
You make me happy, and I want that to continue
When I ask you to stay at home
I just want to spend time with you
I'm not being selfish, oh
I'm not trying to control you
I just don't wanna be all alone
I don't like being without you
That's a woman's
Sometimes my emotions are influenced by my gender
Oh, I said a woman's
My gender affects the way I love and show affection
Oh, it's a woman's love
My love is unique to me as a woman
That's a woman's
I'm not trying to be unreasonable, just honest
That's a woman's
My gender influences my communication and expression of love
That's a woman's love
My love looks different from other kinds of love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLA VENITA THOMAS, STEPHEN LEE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pauline Cole
I grew up in the late 1960's & 1970's, and my father's favorite singer was Rufus and Carla Thomas. I always loved hearing Carla, especially on "Gee Whiz". What a talented family, they should be in the Hall of Fame.
Dash heaveman
Hello how are you doing Pauline ?
Carrie Nixon
Just beautiful. There's no better words to describe this song.
gerolddo
This is what they call soul ...sing a song with feeling and from the heart...💓
John Benn
Wonderful song by a true superstar of soul. Amazing sounds & so,so good.
ralph2winall
The GODDESS OF SOUL She should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
PAULINE WALLACE-KEATON
Ditto!!
Hasan x
white validation won't change a thing.
Paolo Buonarroti
She has been a great singer of soul, not rock & roll ;-D
Candice Jacob
@PAULINE WALLACE-KEATON ¹,1