He gained success in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the styles of country, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Born in Rogers, Texas, in 1935 and raised in Baytown, TX, Tex's career started after he was signed to King Records in 1955 following four wins at the Apollo Theater. Between that year and 1964, however, Tex struggled to find hits and by the time he finally recorded his first hit, "Hold What You've Got", in 1964, he had recorded thirty prior singles that were deemed failures on the charts. Tex went on to have three million-selling hits, "Hold What You've Got" (1965), "Skinny Legs and All" (1967) and "I Gotcha" (1972).
Joe Tex with the raspy voice & charm of a southern preacher and the linguistic skills of a true street hustler made a string of funky chart topping hits and occasional raps with moral themes. His peak as a hitmaker occured in the mid & late 60's, but extended into the 70's disco era.
His breakthrough 1965 song "Hold What You've Got" topped both the Pop and R&B charts. In 1966 he released "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It", which was the first major pop record associated with the Vietnam War. His style was usually more light hearted fare, like "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" and his biggest hit "Skinny Legs And All".
His last major record was 1972's funky jam "I Gotcha", a #1 song. It was after this release that he converted to Islam. After the death of Elijah Mohamed in 1975, Joe Tex received the blessing and approval of the Nation of Islam to begin recording and performing again. His career resurgence came as the disco years were in full swing. His late career comeback song was "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)".
Woman Like That Yeah
Joe Tex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woman like that, yeah
Man give a woman plenty of lovin'
Woman like that, yeah
And when man seen woman cry
Man go to her and dry her eye
Man show a woman that he cares
But a man keep a woman long
Man looks around and woman be gone
Woah oh oh, man be all alone, oh yeah
Man tell a woman she look fine, oh shucks
Woman like that, yeah
Man take woman out sometime, huh
Woman like that, yeah
Then when man has to go away
Man woman won't go astray
Man can leave with a satisfied mind
That his woman gonna toe the line-ine-ine
But if man don't take woman out
He's gonna have a lot to worry about
Woah oh oh, some other man will take her out
Yes he will, huh
Oh-oh
Man kiss woman sweet and slow
Woman like that, yeah
Man that makes woman love grow
Woman like that, yeah
And if you love her let her know
You'd be surprised how far that goes
Man make a woman feel secure
Woman will stick by him for sure, yeah
But man act like he don't care
It's for sure he won't get no where
Woah oh oh, woman will leave him sittin' right there
Ha ha, oh yes she will
Woman like that, yeah
Put your arms around her and hold her
Oh shucks, woman like that, yeah
Tell her she look fine, oh yeah
[Fade]
In Joe Tex's song "Woman Like That Yeah," the singer emphasizes the importance of a man giving plenty of love and attention to his woman. He notes that when a woman cries, a man should be there to comfort her and show her that he cares, or else she may leave him feeling alone. Additionally, Tex advises men to take their women out and make them feel attractive, secure, and loved. By doing so, he suggests that a woman will stand by her man and remain faithful. On the other hand, if a man ignores his woman or fails to give her the attention she deserves, she is likely to leave him for someone who will.
This song highlights the cultural expectations placed on men to provide emotional support and affection in their relationships with women. Joe Tex stresses that if a man wants to keep his woman happy and faithful, he must constantly give her attention and affection. Without it, she will seek it elsewhere. This message is rooted in societal norms that define men as the protectors and providers, while women are the emotional caregivers and nurturers in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Man give a woman plenty of lovin'
If a man shows a woman a lot of love, it will make her happy
Woman like that, yeah
Women like it when a man gives them a lot of love and attention
And when man seen woman cry
When a man sees a woman crying
Man go to her and dry her eye
He should comfort her and wipe away her tears
Man show a woman that he cares
If a man shows a woman that he cares about her, she will be with him
And the woman gonna be right there, yeah
A woman will stay with a man who treats her well
But a man keep a woman long
If a man keeps a woman around for a long time
Man looks around and woman be gone
He might lose her if he doesn't show her enough love and attention
Woah oh oh, man be all alone, oh yeah
He will be alone if he doesn't treat his woman right
Man tell a woman she look fine, oh shucks
If a man compliments a woman on how she looks
Woman like that, yeah
Women like to be told that they look good
Man take woman out sometime, huh
If a man takes a woman out on dates
Woman like that, yeah
Women like to be taken out on dates
Then when man has to go away
If a man has to go away for a while
Man woman won't go astray
If he has treated her well, she will stay faithful to him
Man can leave with a satisfied mind
He can leave knowing that his woman will be faithful to him
That his woman gonna toe the line-ine-ine
She will do what she is supposed to do
But if man don't take woman out
If he doesn't take her out on dates
He's gonna have a lot to worry about
He will have to worry about her leaving him for someone else
Woah oh oh, some other man will take her out
Another man will take her out on a date
Yes he will, huh
It will happen if he doesn't show her enough love and attention
Man kiss woman sweet and slow
If a man kisses a woman gently and passionately
Woman like that, yeah
Women like to be kissed gently and passionately
Man that makes woman love grow
It will make a woman love him even more
And if you love her let her know
If a man loves a woman, he should tell her
You'd be surprised how far that goes
It will make her very happy
Man make a woman feel secure
If a man makes a woman feel safe and secure
Woman will stick by him for sure, yeah
She will stay with him no matter what
But man act like he don't care
If a man acts like he doesn't care about a woman
It's for sure he won't get no where
He won't get very far with her
Woah oh oh, woman will leave him sittin' right there
She will leave him sitting by himself
Ha ha, oh yes she will
It will happen if he doesn't treat her right
Put your arms around her and hold her
A man should hold his woman in his arms
Oh shucks, woman like that, yeah
Women like it when their man holds them and makes them feel loved
Tell her she look fine, oh yeah
He should tell her that she looks beautiful
Contributed by Savannah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JukeboxBalowski
In the very beginning it sounds like it's leading into the ending of the "Odd Couple" theme song.
@TheEggplantThatAteChicago
What is going on here? Why is he singing like a mockery of Tarzan?
@Velvetblubonee
OH OH OH WOW OH I LIKE MUCH DREAMY DREAMY YES❤️VELVET BLU BO'NEE🌈