In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Man Smart Woman Smarter
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See which one is smarter
Some say men but I say no
Women got the men like a puppet show
It ain't me, it's the people that say
Men are leading women astray
I say, it's the women today
That's right, the women are smarter
The women are smarter, that's right
Little boy sitting in the corner and cry
Big man come and ask him why
He said, "I can't do what the big boys do"
The man sat down and he cried too
It ain't me, it's the people that say
Men are leading women astray
I say, it's the women today
Smarter than the men in every way
That's right, the women are smarter
The women are smarter, that's right
Ever since the world began
Women been imitating the ways of men
But listen, 'cause I've got a plan
Give it up, just don't try to understand
It ain't me, it's the people that say
Men are leading women astray
I say, it's the women today
Smarter than the men in every way
That's right, the women are smarter
The women are smarter, that's right
The lyrics to Joan Baez's "Man Smart Woman Smarter" are a commentary on society's perceptions of gender roles and intelligence. The opening lines of the song challenge the idea that men are inherently smarter than women, positing that women may in fact be the more intelligent sex. The line "Women got the men like a puppet show" suggests not only that women are in control, but also that men are easily manipulated.
Rather than taking responsibility for perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes, Baez places the blame on societal attitudes. The repetition of the line "It ain't me, it's the people that say/Men are leading women astray" underscores the idea that these ideas are not innate or natural, but rather have been imposed by external forces.
The second verse of the song takes a more empathetic stance, with a man comforting a young boy who feels inadequate in comparison to his peers. The verse serves as a reminder that men too can be trapped by rigid gender expectations, and suggests that the fight for gender equality benefits all individuals.
Overall, "Man Smart Woman Smarter" is a call for equality and an end to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes. By flipping the script and presenting women as the more intelligent sex, Baez attempts to challenge long-held beliefs and promote a more equal society.
Line by Line Meaning
Let us put men and women together
Let us compare men and women side by side.
See which one is smarter
Observe which gender possesses superior intelligence.
Some say men but I say no
Contrary to what some believe, I disagree that men are the smarter gender.
Women got the men like a puppet show
Women exercise control over men and their behavior.
It ain't me, it's the people that say
I am not the one making this claim, but rather it is a commonly held belief.
Men are leading women astray
Men are leading women in the wrong direction.
I say, it's the women today
I am suggesting that women today have surpassed men in intelligence.
Smarter than the men in every way
Women are more intelligent than men in all aspects.
That's right, the women are smarter
Indeed, women are the more intelligent gender.
Little boy sitting in the corner and cry
A young male is sitting alone and crying.
Big man come and ask him why
An adult male approaches the crying boy and inquires about the reason for his tears.
He said, "I can't do what the big boys do"
The young boy explains he is unable to perform actions that older males can do.
The man sat down and he cried too
The adult male also weeps upon hearing the young boy's words.
Ever since the world began
Since the beginning of time.
Women been imitating the ways of men
Females throughout history have copied male behavior.
But listen, 'cause I've got a plan
However, I have a proposal that should be heard.
Give it up, just don't try to understand
Abandon the attempt to comprehend my suggestion.
Writer(s): Jack Segal, Harry Belafonte, Norman Span
Contributed by Isaiah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gibbskinderman9683
She was a senior at Palo Alto CA High School. Rode a Vespa to school - refused to go home for an H-bomb drill. A Goddess ...at 17