When a Woman Loves a Man
Dave Barbour Quintet Lyrics


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She plays her cards close to the vest
To hide the heart she wears on her sleeve
Sometimes she's caught between the woman that she is
and the one she's expected to be
But with an innocent smile
And the should of a child
She's always giving more than she can
When a woman loves a man
When a woman loves a man

She knows how to hang on your every word
And she knows how to look the other way
She'll whisper to you what no man has heard
Secrets she would never give away

With her arms opened wide
She'll take you inside
And hold you in the palm of her hand

When a woman loves a man
When a woman loves a man
She will be there to the end
When a woman loves a man

And when all you've got to give her
Is nothing more than a dream
She'll sacrifice for love to prove to you
Her mind's made up
To stand by you through everything

When a woman loves a man
When a woman loves a man




She will be there to the end
When a woman loves a man

Overall Meaning

The Dave Barbour Quintet's "When a Woman Loves a Man" explores the complex nature of a woman's love for a man. The lyrics suggest that women are often expected to conform to specific societal standards and roles that may conflict with their true nature. The first verse paints a picture of a woman who is guarded and tries to conceal her vulnerability to conform to societal expectations. However, despite this outer facade, she still has a big heart, and even though she may not always have much to give, she still goes above and beyond for the man she loves.


The second verse suggests that a woman in love will listen to her partner with rapt attention, and even if she senses that something may not be quite right, she will not pry or question. Furthermore, the lyrics imply that a woman in love will share her innermost secrets with her partner, even if they are things she has never shared with anyone else. The chorus emphasizes the strength of a woman's love, suggesting that she will stand by her man come what may.


The song's lyrics are quite simple, but they are also profound in their insight into human relationships. The song celebrates the power of a woman's love, portraying it as a force that can not only sustain but also elevate her partner. It also speaks to the idea that love involves sacrifice and that a woman in love is willing to endure any hardship or obstacle for her partner.


Line by Line Meaning

She plays her cards close to the vest
She keeps her emotions bottled up and doesn't reveal everything she's feeling


To hide the heart she wears on her sleeve
She hides her true feelings by putting up a front


Sometimes she's caught between the woman that she is and the one she's expected to be
She struggles to balance being true to herself and meeting societal expectations


But with an innocent smile and the should of a child, she's always giving more than she can
Despite her struggles, she always manages to give generously with a pure heart


She knows how to hang on your every word
She pays close attention to everything you say


And she knows how to look the other way
She can be forgiving and overlook flaws


She'll whisper to you what no man has heard, secrets she would never give away
She trusts you with her deepest secrets and desires


With her arms opened wide, she'll take you inside and hold you in the palm of her hand
She welcomes you with open arms and cherishes your presence


And when all you’ve got to give her is nothing more than a dream, she'll sacrifice for love to prove to you, her mind’s made up to stand by you through everything
Even if you can't offer her anything physical, she'll still support and stand by you because of her love for you


She will be there to the end when a woman loves a man
Her love is unconditional and she'll never leave your side




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILT COLEMAN, RALPH RAINGER, BILLY ROSE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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