Originally from Buffalo, New York, the band got stranded in Phoenix, Arizona while backing the O'Jays.
Vocalist Arlester "Dyke" Christian was shot to death in 1971.
Let a Woman Be a Woman
Dyke & The Blazers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in a joke, ha
People said, yes, they did
Country′s going up in smoke
I got a message
They need to know
Gotta let a woman be a woman
And let a man be a man
And let a man be a man
Listen
Some people call me
Broadway Tramp now
They even said, yes, they did
I had no place to stay
Listen
Cause I hung around now
Down on Broadway
Gotta let a woman be a woman
And let a man be a man, ha
Gotta let a woman be a woman
And let a man be a man
But listen, dig it now
Some people don't like
The way Sally walks
Gotta let a woman be a woman
And let a man be a man
Gotta let a woman be a woman
And let a man be a man
Listen, get off my back
Lyrics courtesy Top40db.
Leave me alone
Leave me alone
And that woman too
Talk about something, yeah
Gonna benefit you...
The lyrics of Dyke & The Blazers' song "Let A Woman Be A Woman" speak about the need for equality and acceptance among genders. The songwriters are urging people to let women be themselves, to let them live life fully and not be constrained by societal expectations. Similarly, they ask men to be who they are without being subjected to the limitations of gender roles. They express their disapproval of people who judge others for being different and use derogatory terms, like 'Broadway Tramp' and criticize the fact that society is quick to label people, and discriminate based on their appearance.
Furthermore, the song speaks about Sally, a woman who is judged for the way she walks or behaves. The songwriters ask people to accept her for who she is, and not criticize her for things she does not control. The message in the song is clear - let people be themselves, and do not judge them based on their gender or appearance.
The song inspired other artists, like the vocal group The Marvelettes, who recorded a cover of the song in 1968. The song's influence on the music industry persisted over the years, with multiple bands and performers covering the tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people say now
There are people who are talking now
Living in a joke, ha
They think that life is like a joke
People said, yes, they did
People have been saying
Country's going up in smoke
The country is in trouble
I got a message
I have a message
They need to know
People need to know
Gotta let a woman be a woman
Women should be allowed to be themselves
And let a man be a man
Men should be allowed to be themselves
Some people call me
There are people who call me
Broadway Tramp now
They call me a Broadway tramp
They even said, yes, they did
They really did say it
I had no place to stay
I was homeless
Cause I hung around now
Because I spent time
Down on Broadway
On the Broadway street
But listen, dig it now
Listen carefully now
Some people don't like
There are people who dislike
The way Sally walks
How Sally walks bothers them
Listen, get off my back
Stop nagging me
Leave me alone
Let me be
And that woman too
Don't bother that woman either
Talk about something, yeah
Let's talk about something else
Gonna benefit you...
It'll be good for you
Writer(s): SIMONE ANTOINETTE JOHNSON, MARLON LU'REE WILLIAMS, ARLESTER CHRISTIAN
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@maarontaylor7698
The baritone sax, guitar riff, drum solo, and trupet blasts make the song solid, that's why it's still sampled to this day
@Sawlake
This is so old school. Love it!
@adam-hp6qt
the drum break at 1:45 was sampled in Michael Jackson's "Jam"
@DjIceCnS
love your profile pic
@andrewilliams6866
& if homies call by Tupac
@Multi1628
1969 AND STILL FRESH - THANKS TO THE HEAVY for reinvigorating the importance of Arlester Christian (R.I.P.) and this group - Pure magic disco dance SOUL funk - DAVEDJ
@christopellani
ouch this is rediculously funky thank you mr James G adson!!!
@donaldfreeman3433
Listened to all the Duke and The Blazers songs 10,000 times !!!
@traceyholland9882
When you get to 1:40, some people don't like the way Sally walk, has got to be one of the most sampled parts in hip-hop history. My brother used to sample it alot in the 80's and 90's when he used to do. It always got the crowd moving.
@cactusjack2264
Lol that’s the reason why I’m on this video right now. Tupac sampled that part on his song “If my homies call” also Full Force’s “Aint my type of hype”. Crazy how such a small sample can make such a difference in a track