In 1983 Neil Young proposed the album Old Ways to be released at Geffen Rec… Read Full Bio ↴In 1983 Neil Young proposed the album Old Ways to be released at Geffen Records. Geffen Records, who were already unhappy with the first album Young did for them, Trans, refused it 'cause it sounded 'too country'. They did however like the 'rockabilly' songs that were on the album and since some old rockabilly songs had made it back into the top 40 recently they asked Young to explore the genre a bit further. Young founded the Shockin' Pinks pretty much on the spot and recorded the album Everybody's Rockin' in one day. He mixed it the same night too. It's running length was less than 25 minutes and some-one seemed to appreciate the joke Young seemed to intend. Except it was no joke, it was revenge for Old Ways. Geffen didn't appreciate the joke either and sued Young for making noncommercial album like this one. He did tour with the Shocking Pinks though, albeit they only showed up for an encore (who else would do that except Neil Young). The band consisted of Neil Young (piano, guitar, harmonica), Ben "King" Keith (alto sax, lead guitar), Tim Drummond (upright bass), Karl Himmel (snare), Larry Byron (piano, backing vocals), Anthony Crawford (backing vocals) and Rick Polombi (backing vocals). The band later re-incarnated into the International Harvesters.

Soul of a Woman
Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well a man needs a woman right by his side.
A man needs a woman right by his side.
She keeps him warm at night, he keeps her satisfied.

You can't help nobody, unless you help yourself
You can't help nobody, unless you help yourself
Ain't nobody's going to help you better than somebody else.

Soul of a woman, soul of a man
A perfect combination ever since the world began.
Soul of a woman
Soul of a woman, soul of a man.

Soul of a woman, soul of a man
A perfect combination ever since the world began.
Soul of a woman
Soul of a woman, soul of a man.

Well a man needs a woman right by his side.
Yeah, a man needs a woman right by his side.
She keeps him warm at night, he keeps her satisfied.

Soul of a woman, soul of a man
A perfect combination ever since the world began.

Soul of a woman
Soul of a woman, soul of a man.

Overall Meaning

The song "Soul of a Woman" by Neil Young is a beautiful tribute to the power of companionship between a man and woman. The lyrics suggest that helping oneself is essential before giving aid to another individual. The first chorus relays this message clearly with the repetition of "You can't help nobody, until you help yourself." The singer seems to recognize that self-care and self-improvement are necessary components of being an effective support system for others.

The second verse amplifies the significance of having a partner, as a man needs a woman by his side. The woman provides warmth and emotional satisfaction, and the man reciprocates by satisfying her needs. By emphasizing the importance of reciprocity and mutual fulfillment in relationships, the song implies that balanced partnerships can enable both parties to be their best selves.

The chorus, "Soul of a woman, soul of a man, a perfect combination ever since the world began," celebrates the idea that men and women complement each other on a fundamental level. The song emphasizes the importance of partnership and unity, rather than individualism and competition.

Overall, "Soul of a Woman" is a beautiful tribute to the power of companionship, and it urges listeners to prioritize self-care and healthy relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

You can't help nobody, until you help yourself
You cannot assist others until you take care of your own needs first, without outside help.

Nobody's going to help you better than somebody else
There's nothing like the assistance provided by another person, who understands your struggles and can help you overcome them.

You know a man needs a woman right by his side
It's clear that men require constant support and intimacy from their female partners to thrive in life.

A man needs a woman right by his side
Having an affectionate woman in his life is necessary for a man to have a fulfilling life, and it's a constant requirement.

She keeps him warm at night, he keeps her satisfied
The woman makes sure her partner is physically and emotionally fulfilled, while the man does the same for his significant other. It's a two-way street that requires constant attention.

Soul of a woman, soul of a man
The essence or character of both genders, which has been present since the dawn of humanity.

A perfect combination ever since the world began
The union of men and women has always been a flawless match, with each gender filling a void in the other's life.

Soul of a woman
The essence or character of a woman, which is unique and fulfilling in its own way.

Soul of a woman, soul of a man
The essence or character of both genders, which has been present since the dawn of humanity.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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TRACKS

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01Born to Run (1990, rehearsal)5:23

02Forever Young (1991-11-03, Bill Graham Memorial, Golden Gate Park Polo Fields, San Francisco, CA, USA)6:36

03Bad Fog of Loneliness3:57

04It Might Have Been (1970-02-25, Music Hall, Cincinnati, OH, USA)4:11

05Everybody's Alone (1970-02-19, KQED Studios, San Francisco, CA, USA)2:31

06War Song3:29

07Johnny (played over the PA) (1983-10-01, Beacon Theater, New York City, NY, USA)4:16

08Goodbye Dick (1974-08-14, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, USA)1:09

09Pushed It Over the End (1974-05-16, The Bottom Line, New York City, NY, USA)7:37

10Everything Is Broken (1989-10-28, Bridge School Benefit 3, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, USA)3:57

11Ordinary People (1988-08-27, Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY, USA)12:26

12Last of His Kind (1999-09-12, Farm Aid '99, Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA, USA)4:29

13Berlin (1982-10-19, Deutschlandhalle, West Berlin, West Germany)5:59

14Nothing Is Perfect (1985-09-01, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN, USA)5:04

15Come Along and Say You Will (1973-01-15, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)3:06

16If You Got Love (1982-10-08, Scandinavium, Göteborg, Sweden)4:29

17Sweet Joni (1973-03-11, Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, CA, USA)2:12

18There Goes My Babe (Demo)1:42

19Dance Dance Dance (1971-02-23, BBC TV Studios, London, England, UK)1:54

20Soul of a Woman (1983-07-15, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, USA)3:14

PT3M14S

Neil Young & The Shocking Pinks

21Your Love Is Good to Me (1984-02-06, Early Show, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)4:27

22Do You Wanna Dance? (1983-09-18, Hara Arena, Dayton, OH, USA)3:27

23Hello Lonely Woman (1988-08-27, Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY, USA)4:45

24Lady Wingshot (1989-02-18, Municipal Auditorium, Eureka, CA, USA)3:04

25Fool for Your Love (1988-09-04, Auburn Hills Palace Arena, Detroit, MI, USA)4:16

26Aurora2:11

27Welcome to the Big Room (1987-11-02, Late Show, Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)8:04

28So Tired (1984-02-07, Late Show, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)3:10

29Grey Riders (1985-09-01, Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN, USA)5:39

30Rock, Rock, Rock (1984-02-07, Late Show, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)3:49

31Bright Sunny Day (1978-09-19, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI, USA)4:02

32Leavin' The Top 40 Behind3:36

33I Ain't Got The Blues (demo)2:37

34Love Hotel (1982-09-24, National Exhibition Centre Arena, Birmingham, England, UK)3:24

35Kansas (1999-03-20, Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA, USA)2:47

36Homefires (1992-03-24, Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA, USA)2:13

37Love Art Blues (1974-07-09, Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA, USA)2:56

38Separate Ways (1993-07-03, Torhout Festival, Torhout, Belgium)5:49

39Crime of the Heart (1988-10-25, Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque, NM, USA)5:23

40Bad News Comes to Town (1988-08-27, Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY, USA)7:49

41Stranger in Paradise (1993-11-06, Bridge School Benefit 7, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, USA)3:05

42Run Around Babe (Demo)2:38

43Find Another Shoulder (1987-11-02, Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)6:33

44Your Love Again2:21

45Guilty Train (1976-11-22, Early Show, Music Hall, Boston, MA, USA)0:54

46Doghouse (1988-09-04, Auburn Hills Palace Arena, Detroit, MI, USA)4:08

47Windward Passage (1977-08-22, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)8:38

48No One Seems to Know (1983-01-05, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)2:46

49Extra, Extra (demo)2:34

50Give Me Strength (1976-11-15, Late Show, Auditorium Theater, Chicago, IL, USA)3:25

51Walking After Midnight (1988-04-19, Late Show, The World, New York City, NY, USA)4:37

52Rainin' in Paradise4:39

53Amber Jean (1984-09-25, Austin City Limits TV Show, Austin, TX, USA)3:37

54Hawaiian Sunrise (1974-09-08, Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, NY, USA)2:48

55One More Sign

56Turbine (1980-10-03, Bread And Roses Festival, Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, USA)3:21

57Hillbilly Band (1984-10-24, Pacific Amphitheater, Costa Mesa, CA, USA)2:48

58Modern World (1997-05-19, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)5:12

59Road of Plenty (1986-10-17, Met Center, Bloomington, MI, USA)8:00

60Beautiful Bluebird4:27

61High Heels (1987-11-02, Late Show, Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz, CA, USA)3:56

62I Shall Be Released (1999-10-30, Bridge School Benefit 13, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, USA)5:04

63That's All Right (Mama) (1983-07-15, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, USA)2:32

64Sultan2:32

65The Rent Is Always Due (Demo)2:50

66Hitchhiker (1992-06-29, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA)7:44

67Time Off for Good Behavior3:32

68Sixty to Zero (1988-08-18, Canadian National Exhibition Grandstand, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)0:01

69Boxcar (1989-02-23, Opera House, Spokane, WA, USA)2:51

70Traces2:53

71Sad Movies (1976-03-28, Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, UK)2:39

72I'm Goin' (1988-08-27, Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY, USA)5:42

73I Wonder Why4:19

74Don't Pity Me, Babe (demo)4:59

75Evening Coconut (1976-06-27, Civic Center, Springfield, MA, USA)5:24

76Let Your Fingers Do The Walking (1984-09-25, Austin City Limits TV Show, Austin, Texas, USA)2:56

77I Wonder2:24

78Mediterranean

79Greensleeves (1974-05-16, The Bottom Line, New York City, NY, USA)1:58

80Dead Man (acoustic theme)3:16

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Comments from YouTube:

Dave Krumrey

5y↑2

Great album didn't know existed till someone at work told me. Neil can really do rockabilly well

SongsFinallyUploaded

Yes, it is and indeed he can.

mm040462

3y↑2

Love it ( same period of Robert Gordon with Link Wray ,Chris Spedding or Danny Gatton on guitar ) , Brian Setzer & Stray Cats, Matchbox ( When you ask about love, rockabilly rebel, midnite dynamos ), Shakin Stevens, The Honeydrippers ( Sea Of Love, Young Boy Blues ) .......