Just Like a Woman
Charlotte Gainsbourg & Calexico Lyrics


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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 sees finally 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 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.

Overall Meaning

In this song, Charlotte Gainsbourg is covering Bob Dylan's classic "Just Like A Woman." The song tells the story of a woman who appears confident and put-together on the outside, with her new clothes and ribbons in her hair. But as the song progresses, we learn that she is struggling on the inside and "takes just like a woman" in her emotional vulnerability. The reference to "Queen Mary" is likely a nod to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was known for her beauty and tragic end. The singer plans to go see Queen Mary, perhaps for solace or advice.


As the rain falls, the singer reflects on their own pain and the pain they've witnessed in others. They can't stay in this place with its "long-time curse" and knows that it's time to move on. In the final verse, the singer is addressing someone directly and accusing them of "faking" their emotions, making love "just like a woman" but then breaking "like a little girl." This line has drawn criticism for seeming to play into sexist stereotypes about women being weak or overly emotional. However, it's important to note that Dylan has said the song was intended as an empathetic portrait of a woman, rather than a condemnation.


Somewhat surprisingly, "Just Like A Woman" was originally written by Bob Dylan as a tribute to the actress Edie Sedgwick. Sedgwick was one of the stars of Andy Warhol's Factory scene in the 1960s, and was known for her unconventional beauty and wild personality. Dylan and Sedgwick were briefly involved romantically, and he wrote several songs about her, including "Just Like A Woman" and "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat."


Line by Line Meaning

Nobody feels any pain
Everyone seems to be happy even though I am feeling sad


Tonight as I stand inside the rain
I am standing in the rain, maybe crying


Ev'rybody knows
Everyone seems aware of what is happening


That Baby's got new clothes
She looks different from before


But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
I noticed that her accessories are gone


Have fallen from her curls.
Her hair looks less beautiful and neat


She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
She behaves in the same way as other women do


She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
Her way of making love is typical of most women


And she aches just like a woman
She suffers and feels pain just like any other woman


But she breaks just like a little girl.
She is fragile and vulnerable like a child


Queen Mary, she's my friend
I have a friend named Queen Mary


Yes, I believe I'll go see her again
I am considering paying her a visit


Nobody has to guess
It is evident


That Baby can't be blessed
She cannot be saved or made happy


Till she sees finally that she's like all the rest
She needs to realize that she is no different from others


With her fog, her amphetamine and her pearls.
She has a clouded mind, uses drugs, and wears expensive jewelry


It was raining from the first
It started raining when I arrived or when I started feeling this way


And I was dying there of thirst
I was desperately needing something, like a drink of water


So I came in here
I entered this place


And your long-time curse hurts
The negative energy you have is hurting me


But what's worse
The situation is not only bad, it's getting worse


Is this pain in here
I am feeling emotional pain


I can't stay in here
I cannot continue feeling this way


Ain't it clear that--
Isn't it obvious that--


I just can't fit
I don't belong here or in this particular situation


Yes, I believe it's time for us to quit
I think it's time for us to end this relationship or situation


When we meet again
If we ever see each other again


Introduced as friends
When we meet, let's pretend we are not acquainted


Please don't let on that you knew me when
Don't reveal that we have a history together


I was hungry and it was your world.
During a period of need, I was in your control


Ah, you fake just like a woman, yes, you do
You behave like a typical woman, including faking emotions


You make love just like a woman, yes, you do
Your way of making love is typical of most women


Then you ache just like a woman
Even though you pretend or fake emotions, you experience pain like other women


But you break just like a little girl.
Despite your ability to fake emotions and appear strong, you are fragile like a child




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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