In 1963, David Houston rose to national stardom with the single "Mountain of Love"; the song, which was different from the tune made famous by composer Harold Dorman, Johnny Rivers and Charley Pride, rose to No. 2 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart. Another song, 1965's "Livin' in a House Full of Love" did just as well.
1966 brought Houston's breakthrough smash, "Almost Persuaded". Having nothing to do with the Philip Paul Bliss hymn of the same title (based on Acts 26:28 (KJV)), the tale of a married man managing to fight off a temptress he had just met in a tavern quickly rocketed to No. 1 that August, eventually spending nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. In the 40 years since "Almost Persuaded" became a country standard, no song has equaled or bettered this feat. However, two country songs have spent eight weeks at No. 1: Lonestar's "Amazed," which topped the chart from July 17 to September 4, 1999; and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, from August 9 to September 20 and then October 4, 2003 (in between "Somewhere's" seventh and eighth weeks at #1, on September 27, 2003, Dierks Bentley's "What Was I Thinkin' " topped the chart).
Houston was awarded 2 Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male in 1967 for "Almost Persuaded."
"Almost Persuaded" began a string of Top 5 David Houston singles that lasted through 1973. Included in the bunch were six more No. 1's – "With One Exception" and "You Mean the World to Me" (1967); "Have a Little Faith" and "Already It's Heaven" (1968); "Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)" (1970); and 1967's "My Elusive Dreams" duet with Tammy Wynette.
In later years, Houston dueted with Barbara Mandrell on several of her early hits, most notably 1970's "After Closing Time" and 1974's "I Love You, I Love You."
David's last Top 10 country hit came in 1974 with "Can't You Feel It".
David Houston died of a brain aneurysm on November 30, 1993, less than two weeks before his 58th birthday.
A Woman Always Knows
David Houston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he wonders if she knows that he's done wrong
She dried her eyes and she combed her hair
And she's smiling by the time he's there
'Cause she's been lovin' just one man too long
She knows he's lyin' but she's tryin'
Tryin' her best to never let it show
And she'll forgive him one more time
But a woman always knows
She knows he's lyin' but she's tryin'
Tryin' her best to never let it show
That she's been cryin', cryin'
And she'll forgive him one more time
But a woman always knows
A woman always knows
David Houston's song "A Woman Always Knows" is a poignant ballad about the intuition of women and the pain they often hide behind their smiles. The first verse sets the scene of a man coming home from a rendezvous with another woman, wondering if his wife suspects his infidelity. However, despite her husband's efforts to cover his tracks, the wife knows something is amiss. She has dried her eyes and combed her hair, putting on a brave face and a smile for her husband. We then get to hear the chorus, where Houston repeats the phrase "she knows he's lyin' but she's tryin', tryin' her best to never let it show", implying that the wife is aware of the deceitful actions of her husband, but will not confront him directly.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no lipstick on his shirt when he comes home
He's covering up his infidelity and trying to hide it from her.
And he wonders if she knows that he's done wrong
He's doubtful that she'll catch on to his cheating ways.
She dried her eyes and she combed her hair
She's putting on a brave face and trying to look presentable for him.
And she's smiling by the time he's there
She doesn't want him to know that she's been crying and upset over his behavior.
'Cause she's been lovin' just one man too long
She's dedicated to their relationship and has been faithful throughout their time together.
She knows he's lyin' but she's tryin'
She's aware of his dishonesty, but trying not to let it show.
Tryin' her best to never let it show
She's making an effort to keep her emotions hidden from him.
That she's been cryin', cryin'
She's been upset and emotional about his behavior.
And she'll forgive him one more time
Despite his infidelity, she's still willing to forgive him and work on their relationship.
But a woman always knows
Ultimately, she knows what's going on and is deeply hurt by his actions.
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.