Roberts began performing country music as a child. When she was in junior high and high school, she toured with her family, playing at festivals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. She also performed at area nursing homes (where she developed an appreciation for blues music); and worked at Carowinds (a theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina) and Dollywood.
A graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Roberts began working for Mercury Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape. Producer Brent Rowan liked what he heard and invited Lewis to hear the tape. Lewis liked what he heard, but it was only after he asked for the singer's identity that he learned it was Roberts.
Roberts was signed to Mercury Records, and her self-titled album was released in 2004.
A second album for Mercury, Men & Mascara, followed in 2006. This album produced two non-charting singles in its title track and a cover of Saving Jane's "Girl Next Door".
Her influences include Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Tanya Tucker.
He Made a Woman Out Of Me
Julie Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little bit south of Montgomery
Mama worked in the big house
And Daddy, he worked for the county
I never had no learning' until I turned 16
When Joe Henry came up the river, y'all
Lord, he made a woman out of me
I guess it served me right
It wasn't long till he left me
Cryin' out in the night
Joe Henry had his say
He wouldn't set me free
Well, I'm here to tell everybody
That man made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me
When I think back to that day so long ago
I got a little feel in' on my mind
Although it hurt me, there's one thing I know
When he left, he left a woman behind
When I met a mother young man
Wantin' to love and run
My mind goes back to Joe Henry James
And the heck of a job he done
Ain't no other man let me down
You see, I've been set free
Ever since way back yonder
When Joe made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me
Lord, he made a woman out of me
The song tells the story of a woman who was born and raised on a levy, a little bit south of Montgomery. Her mother worked in the big house and her father worked for the county. Despite this, she never had any learning until she turned 16. It was at that time that Joe Henry came into her life, and he made a woman out of her.
Even though she used to tease Joe Henry, she quickly realized that he was the one for her. He left her crying in the night, but he also left a woman behind. Later on, when she met a young man who wanted to love and run, her mind went back to Joe Henry James and the heck of a job he had done. No other man had let her down, and she had been set free since way back yonder when Joe made a woman out of her.
The lyrics are powerful and reflective of the struggles that many women have had to face in society. It tells the story of a woman who had no education or opportunities until a man came into her life and changed everything. Although it may seem like a love song on the surface, it is more about empowerment and the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born on a levy
I was born in a low-lying area near a river
A little bit south of Montgomery
The location of my birth was a bit to the south of Montgomery
Mama worked in the big house
My mother worked in a large and grand house
And Daddy, he worked for the county
My father was employed by the county
I never had no learning' until I turned 16
I didn't receive any education until I turned 16 years old
When Joe Henry came up the river, y'all
When Joe Henry arrived by boat up the river, everyone took notice
Lord, he made a woman out of me
After a romantic encounter with Joe Henry, I emerged as a fully realized woman
I used to tease Joe Henry
I used to playfully provoke Joe Henry
I guess it served me right
Perhaps my teasing caused Joe Henry to leave me later
It wasn't long till he left me
Soon after our encounter, Joe Henry left me
Cryin' out in the night
I was heartbroken and tearful in the night after he left me
Joe Henry had his say
Joe Henry expressed his opinion and desires
He wouldn't set me free
He refused to let go of me
Well, I'm here to tell everybody
I'm proclaiming to everyone
That man made a woman out of me
Joe Henry was the one who awakened me to my womanhood
When I think back to that day so long ago
When I reflect on that day from so many years ago
I got a little feel in' on my mind
I recall the emotions that I felt
Although it hurt me, there's one thing I know
Despite the pain it caused me, I now understand one thing
When he left, he left a woman behind
When Joe Henry departed, he left a changed and mature woman in his wake
When I met a mother young man
When I met another young man
Wantin' to love and run
Who only wanted a brief, casual relationship
My mind goes back to Joe Henry James
My thoughts return to the memory of Joe Henry
And the heck of a job he done
And the transformative effect he had on me
Ain't no other man let me down
No other man has disappointed me as much as Joe Henry did
You see, I've been set free
But ultimately, I have found freedom and independence
Ever since way back yonder
Since that time many years ago
When Joe made a woman out of me
When Joe Henry helped me to become the woman I am today
Lord, he made a woman out of me
Once again, I express my appreciation to Joe Henry for transforming me into a woman
Lyrics © FRED BURCH MUSIC , SHELBY SINGLETON MUSIC INC
Written by: DONALD HILL, FRED BURCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jules Annette
she's under rated!
Lou Stewart
Sooo excited for you Julie! Your voice is perfect for this style of music!! and how awesome to be working with this histoic studio!! You go girl!! ;D
Ridefreesteve
Good gracious... that woman can sing... and all that running she does ain't hurt them legs at all...we love her here in Alabama
Kelly Reid
i would love to see her come out with a new album
Manda Bme
Still one of my favorite singers!
Jamie Sampson
I love her! How is this not a huge hit???
Grapefruit Moon
Congrats, Julie! Great job!!
Mitchell Chapman
I love it!!!
Sherry Gilson
ive always loved her!
Tanna Taft
Love it gal!