Coleman was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and raised in a music-loving military family that lived in San Diego, San Francisco, Bremerton, Washington, and the Chicago area. With her father playing piano, two brothers on guitar, and a sister who plays guitar and keyboards, Coleman felt natural with an instrument in her hands, picking up guitar at age 8. Her work has been favorably compared to Jimi Hendrix and Tracy Chapman and she is known for high energy, charismatic, crowd-pleasing performances. Coleman has become one of the most sought-after blues artists on the scene. Coleman is a highly charismatic stage performer. She stretches out in a live setting and demonstrates both her fluid, warm vocals and her considerable guitar skills. She has played at the top music venues such as North Atlantic Blues Festival 2007, Waterfront Blues Festival 2002, the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival 2001, Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival 2000, Sarasota Blues Festival 1999, the San Francisco Blues Festival 1999, Fountain Blues Festival 1998, just to name a few.
Coleman's Blind Pig debut, I Can't Lose (1997), is a powerful album of great ballads and blues stories, and of course, great guitar playing and singing. Her version of Billie Holiday's "Fine and Mellow" got her a lot of airplay on college and public radio stations around the U.S. On Soul Be It (2002), a well-rounded live set by her quartet, there are many highlights, including the rousing opener ("Brick"), the minor-toned blues "My Heart Bleeds Blue," the bluish romp "Don't Lie to Me," and a jump blues, "I Believe." However the most memorable selection is "Goodbye Misery," which has a marathon solo by Coleman that is full of fire and creative ideas. This highly enjoyable set serves as a perfect introduction to the music of Coleman. Followed by What About Love? (2004) and Stop the Game in (2007).
Time Bomb (2007) features three women Blues players, Deborah Coleman, Sue Foley and Roxanne Potvin. Time Bomb may not be the appropriate name for this assembly's production because there is no waiting around for the fuse to burn down and the fireworks to start. Right from the opening title track, "Time Bomb", an instrumental where all three women take turns laying down leads, things are beginning to sizzle. For the next nine songs the women spell each other off taking lead vocals and guitar duties of every third song until they come together again on the final track "In The Basement".
Deborah Coleman died on April 12, 2018.
I'M A WOMAN
Deborah Coleman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't do nothin' to save my doggone soul
My mama told me the day I was born
She says, "Sing the blues child, sing it from now on"
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
I'm a woman, when I'm down to the wire
Well, I'm goin' down yonder, behind the sun
Gonna do somethin' for you, ain't never been done
Gonna hold back the lightnin', with the palm of my hand
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
I'm a woman, when I'm down to the wire
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
When I was a young girl, about twelve years old
I couldn't do nothin' to save my doggone soul
My mama told me the day I was born
She says, "Sing the blues child, sing it from now on"
I'm a woman, W O M A N
I'm a woman, woman to the end
I'm a woman, when I'm down to the wire
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
The song 'I'm A Woman' by Deborah Coleman is an anthemic representation of female empowerment. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the struggles and hardships that the singer has faced in her life, yet despite all the adversities, she exclaims that she is a woman and nothing can stop her from achieving her dreams. The song begins with her reminiscing about her childhood when she was helpless and couldn't do anything to save herself, but her mother's advice to sing the blues became her mantra for life.
As the song progresses, the singer declares her prowess, and her ability to sing the blues becomes an emblem of her character. She takes pride in being a woman, and her feminine characteristics are not a hindrance but rather an advantage in achieving her goals. She asserts that she can change the old to new, and when she is down to the wire, she is a ball of fire.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics get more assertive, and she claims to be going down yonder behind the sun, where she will do something that has never been done before. She proclaims that she can hold back the lightning with the palm of her hand and shake hands with the devil, making him crawl in the sand. She reiterates that she is a woman, W O M A N, woman to the end, and when she is down to the wire, she is a ball of fire.
Overall, 'I'm A Woman' by Deborah Coleman is a song that celebrates women power, their resilience and addresses the societal stereotypes that women have faced over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young girl, about twelve years old
At a young age of twelve, I was not capable of doing anything to prevent myself from being subjected to harsh experiences.
I couldn't do nothin' to save my doggone soul
I was helpless and incapable of rescuing myself from the situations that threatened my life and existence.
My mama told me the day I was born, She says, 'Sing the blues child, sing it from now on'
My mother, right from the day of my birth, inspired me to express my pain and life tribulations through music, particularly the blues.
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
As a woman, I possess the talent to creatively communicate my life experiences through blues music.
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
I have the capability of transforming old traditions and beliefs into new and valuable ones.
I'm a woman, when I'm down to the wire
Amidst challenging and demanding situations, I rise to the occasion and handle it like a woman.
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I am full of passion, energy, and enthusiasm that allows me to achieve great feats in whatever I set my mind and heart to.
Well, I'm goin' down yonder, behind the sun
I am embarking on a challenging mission that requires my presence beyond the physical world's horizon.
Gonna do somethin' for you, ain't never been done
I am about to accomplish something so incredible that nobody has ever done before.
Gonna hold back the lightnin', with the palm of my hand
I have the strength and determination to control a very powerful force and manage it using my palm.
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I possess power and determination even to face the most feared entity like the devil and make him cower in fear.
I'm a woman, W O M A N
I want to emphasize that I embody the characteristics and capabilities of a strong and powerful woman.
I'm a woman, woman to the end
As a woman, I hold my ground and stay committed to my values, even during the most challenging and demanding circumstances.
I'm a woman, when I'm down to the wire
Despite being exposed to challenging situations, I remain steadfast, and instead of breaking down, I get creative and resourceful.
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
As a woman, I embody passion, energy, and resilience, which fuels my ability to overcome obstacles and keep pushing towards my goals.
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@karaeverman1164
I will never forget the first time I seen her perform this song on tv it was a live blues show I was blown away . Thank you Debbie and Rest In Peace
@richardlevinesr9559
Oh Lady do it. Fantastic blues, fantastic vocals, fantastic blues band. Deborah, you got it.
@elc1960
I met Ms. Coleman a few years ago at Chan's in Woonsocket RI. She signed my copy of this CD, and told me it was her favorite of all her Blind Pig CDs. Her vocal style owes a bit to Chrissie Hynde and Joan Armatrading, but her guitar playing was more intense than just about every other female blues guitarist, with the possible exception of Carolyn Wonderland. RIP Deborah. We'll miss you.
@pamelaturner8969
Deborah Coleman is the only woman to ever play the true blues, I love the hell out of the blues. Great music to dance to as well
@jonislow
Check out Beverly Guitar Watkins
@mrcolins72
i never hear this singer befor until i found on spotify yesterday i think she is brilliant voice and music is cool blues !!
@jeffrreyhenon2013
I have seen the very best there is to see, e.g. R Buchanan, son seals,pat Travers, etc. and I can w/great conference that she is one of the best katz pound for pound on the entire "BLUE'S -PLANET "
KEEP UP THE GREAT -WORK.OTHER-WORLDLY!!! (kudos ).
@purpleaura5753
Shes rockin awesome. One of my favorites songs.
@alanpoole1441
I saw her at catalina island a few years ago at a small blues show. She awesome guitar player and singer.
I also had a chance to speak with the day before the show at a sound check. She was super friendly and signed cd,s after the show. First saw her on morgan fremans show on ground zero blues club she played im a woman awesome
@stephenperry2196
I first saw her at a June teenth celebration in Tulsa she was opening for Bo Diddley she was great!