Despite strong promotion in the US trade press, Jay Boy #6001 failed to set the world alight and Doris remained reliant on session work, often commuting to Philadelphia to work with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. However, her fortunes were about to change! Step forward Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams Jr., who had recently left his artist/producer job at Atlantic Records and was branching out on his own as talent scout, writer, producer and performer - the man of many hats. As he told In The Basement magazine in July 1999 "At Atlantic I was the square peg struggling to fit in the round hole. Phil Walden was building a studio in Macon, Georgia. I called him and proposed a 75/25 partnership in my new production company. His contribution: studio and rhythm section. We agreed and, after a Little Tommy project which went unreleased, came the Doris Duke [I'm A Loser] LP. I damn near lost everything with that one. It was a woman's album; men found it depressing. I walked the streets of New York for six months trying to give it away, then onto Los Angeles. I totally believed in this concept when I walked into Wally Roker's Canyon Records. He played it once and said he had to have it. I damn near paid him. The first release was 'To The Other Woman' [Billboard' R&B #7, Cashbox R&B #5] and the rest is history made of gold."
Jerry Williams Jr. had a hand in writing ten of the twelve songs so it must have been largely down to him that "I'm A Loser" was regarded as "a woman's album". He put his ability to write from a woman's point of view down to the fact he grew up surrounded by strong women. "When I'm writing about women," he said in the same interview, "I'm writing with my aunts, my mother, my grandmother and everybody. How they felt, how they acted...my thoughts have a tendency to be seasoned with a female point of view because that's the way I was raised." He could have had no better interpreter of his material than Doris Duke but, before it had a chance Wally Roker's Canyon label suffered financial problems and was about to shut up shop. Doris told David Nathan, in a Blues & Soul interview of 1974, that she had not been happy with the album, deriding it from just about every angle, so perhaps she wasn't too perturbed by the LPs lack of success. Tony Rounce comments in the sleevenotes: "'Just how wrong can one woman be?" How indeed!
The "A Legend In Her Own Time" album was cut at Quinvy Recording Studios in Sheffield, Alabama and reunited Doris with the production work of Jerry Williams Jr., but this LP contained far fewer of his songs. Instead she recorded covers of such songs as Buddy Johnson's 'Since I Fell For You' and Jim Webb's 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'. Released on Mankind, a subsidiary created by Excello for Williams' output, it sadly failed to live up to what one would expect from the title. Doris and Jerry Williams had fallen out and doubtless - whether as cause or effect - the set was poorly promoted. Doris Duke moved on briefly to Mainstream - where only one single was issued - followed by an highly respectable album for John Abbey's UK Contempo label, "Woman", which achieved a US release on Scepter. A subsequent attempt by disco label, Sam, to revive Doris's Contempo recording of Marlena Shaw's 'Woman Of The Ghetto' failed. It was Doris Duke's last released work.
Doris Duke has joined the long list of "where are they now?" artists. Over the years, Jerry Williams Jr, has made attempts to find Doris again but to no avail. Perhaps this CD of her finest work will reach her and nudge her into breaking her self-imposed silence. The voice has been under wraps for far too long.
To the Other Woman
Doris Duke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I know the real you
I say, yes, I know my man
And all about his other woman
So, to see, there′s nothing new
(Tell me something different)
They′re only trying to help me
So I won't mess up my life
But they don't know
To the other woman
I′m the other woman
And other woman is his wife
Everybody calls me stupid
For playing second fiddle
At least I know I′m number two
But all you so-called friends
With your supposedly single men
Tell me, what number are you
If there's any
Backstabbing being done
I′m the guilty one
She has no reason for the knife
But they don't know
To the other woman
I′m the other woman
And other woman, she's his wife
I′m gonna try and keep this man
In every way that I can
Cause he means the world to me
Yes, he does
But I won't be his degredation
And come between his obligations
To his wife and family, oh, no
Cause one door will close
I won't see anymore
But like the old folks say
That′s life
To him, I′ll just've
Been another woman
And the other woman
Will always be his wife
Yes, she will
To the other woman
She′ll be his wife
I'm the other woman...
The lyrics of Doris Duke's song "To the Other Woman" tell the story of a woman who is involved with a man who is already married. The song begins with her friends questioning her about the man's true nature, to which she confidently responds that she knows all about his other woman. She asks her friends to tell her something different, indicating that she is aware of the situation and does not need their advice or judgment.
The woman acknowledges that her friends are trying to protect her from potentially ruining her own life by being involved with a married man. However, she asserts that they don't truly understand the complexity of her situation. The twist is revealed when she declares that, from the perspective of the man's wife, she herself is considered the "other woman."
Feeling judged by others, the woman asserts that she knows she is playing second fiddle to the man's wife but challenges her friends, who claim to be with supposedly single men, to question their own positions. She implies that they may unknowingly be in a similar situation without realizing it, suggesting that appearances can be deceiving.
The woman takes a stand and declares that she is determined to keep her relationship with the man, as he means the world to her. However, she refuses to degrade herself or interfere with his obligations to his wife and family. She understands that eventually, one door will close, and she will no longer be a part of his life. She accepts that in the eyes of others, she will always be viewed as just another woman while the man's wife remains an integral part of his life.
In summary, "To the Other Woman" delves into the complex dynamics of a woman involved in an affair with a married man. The lyrics explore her awareness of her position and the judgment she receives from society, ultimately accepting her role as the other woman and acknowledging that the man's wife will always hold a significant place in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends all ask me
People I know inquire
If I know the real you
If I am acquainted with your true nature
I say, yes, I know my man
I confidently affirm that I understand my partner
And all about his other woman
Including every detail about his extramarital lover
So, to see, there's nothing new
Thus, there are no surprises or revelations
They say, please, don't get offended
They kindly request me not to feel insulted
They're only trying to help me
Their intentions solely aim at assisting me
So I won't mess up my life
To prevent any disruption in my existence
But they don't know
Nevertheless, they are unaware
To the other woman
Regarding the lover involved in infidelity
I'm the other woman
I occupy the same position as the adulteress
And other woman is his wife
The spouse he legally committed to is the other woman
Everybody calls me stupid
All individuals mock my lack of intelligence
For playing second fiddle
As I assume the inferior role in this relationship
At least I know I'm number two
Nonetheless, I am aware of my secondary status
But all you so-called friends
However, all of you alleged companions
With your supposedly single men
Together with your supposedly unattached partners
Tell me, what number are you
Please enlighten me, which numerical position do you hold?
If there's any
If there exists any
Backstabbing being done
Betrayal occurring
I'm the guilty one
I am the culpable party
She has no reason for the knife
She lacks any justification for resorting to deception
But they don't know
However, they remain uninformed
To the other woman
Regarding the lover involved in infidelity
I'm the other woman
I occupy the same position as the adulteress
And other woman, she's his wife
The spouse he legally committed to is the other woman
I'm gonna try and keep this man
I will make effort to maintain this man's affection
In every way that I can
Utilizing every possible method
Cause he means the world to me
Because he is of utmost importance in my life
Yes, he does
Indeed, he does
But I won't be his degradation
However, I will not compromise my self-worth
And come between his obligations
Nor interfere with his commitments
To his wife and family, oh, no
To the woman he married and their offspring, absolutely not
Cause one door will close
Due to the circumstances, one opportunity will end
I won't see anymore
I will no longer have access to it
But like the old folks say
However, as elderly individuals proclaim
That's life
That is the way existence unfolds
To him, I'll just've
From his perspective, I will merely have
Been another woman
Functioned as another romantic partner
And the other woman
While the other woman
Will always be his wife
Will forever be his lawful spouse
Yes, she will
Undoubtedly, she will
To the other woman
Regarding the lover involved in infidelity
She'll be his wife
She will continue as his marital partner
I'm the other woman...
I am the one regarded as the adulteress
Writer(s): Jerry Williams
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CheckMate657879
I love the art - phenomenal! Big ups to Master Tao.
mezzomanUK
Proper deep soul. She made 3 great albums. Also sang backing vocals to Nina Simone as Doris Willingham.
kden the man
When I first heard this beautiful,yet it's happening all over the world sung, not to mention there could never be another. Like Doris that makes it even more beautiful. I tell you, it just blew me away. Doris I only wish we could have had so much more of that beautiful voice. Pastor Charles Taylor
drwhatson
No "dislikes", and I should hope not! Possibly the greatest Deep Soul album ever recorded. Thanks due also to the late Dave Godin for promoting it so heavily in the UK.
Graham Ball
Dave Godin did so much for black music in general. He was such a lovely bloke as well - I met him at Blackpool Mecca when I was 15 and he still had time to talk to this young kid. Not only that, he name checked me in his Blues and Soul piece the following month! Diamond geezer!
mech188
heard this song years ago still sounds fresh as the first time
Ian Hutchings
this woman had so much soul its a pity she disappeared from the scene
sylvia reese
I remember listing to this song in my childhood while my mother was crying. My father was a cheating man!!!!!
Elle Coleman
my mother played this over and over and i didnt get it...as a child but as a grown woman i say Mommy i get it hunnii gurlllll siip the wine and take a long pull of that cigarette u aint wrong!! RIP
Yolanda Johnson
this song is SOOOOOO DARN RARE. even when radio was reigning and waaaaaaayyyyyyy before YouTube and satellite radio this song was not heard on radio!!!!