December 1954
Recording Details:
Recorded on Nov… Read Full Bio ↴Release Date:
December 1954
Recording Details:
Recorded on November 18, 1954, at the Atlanta studios of Georgia Tech radio station WGST.
Genre:
Rhythm and blues, soul
Critical Reception:
"I've Got A Woman" was a significant hit for Atlantic and is considered one of the seminal releases in R&B and rock history. It appears on virtually every Ray Charles best-of album and has been covered by artists such as Elvis Presley and the Beatles. A live version from the 1958 album "Ray Charles At Newport" is noted for its more cohesive and wilder band performance. Another live version recorded in 1964 was released on the 1965 "Live In Concert" album and as a single.
Chart Performance:
The song quickly climbed to number one R&B in January 1955 and was Ray Charles' first hit. It was later ranked No. 239 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. A re-recorded version in 1965 reached No. 79 on the Billboard pop chart. The 1954 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1990.
Cultural Impact:
The song has had a significant influence on popular music, sampled by artists like Kanye West in his song "Gold Digger." It is a prototype of what later became termed as soul music.
I've Got a Woman
Ray Charles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say I got a woman, way over town
Good to me, oh yeah
She give me money when I'm in need
Yeah, she's a kind of friend indeed
That's good to me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the mornin'
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the mornin'
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', just for me
Yeah she loves me, so tenderly
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
She's there to love me
Both day and night
Never grumbles or fusses
clways treats me right
Never runnin' in the streets
cnd leavin' me alone
She knows a woman's place
Is right there, now, in her home
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh she's my baby, oh don't you understand
Yeah, and I'm her lover man
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh don't you know she's all right
Oh don't you know she's all right
She's all right, she's all right
Whoa yeah
The song "I've Got a Woman" by Ray Charles is a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics are a tribute to the singer's lover, who is good to him in many ways. In the first verse, he sings about how she gives him money when he's in need, making her a true friend. This shows that their relationship goes beyond just romantic love. In the second verse, he sings about how she saves her love just for him, showing that she is loyal and dedicated to him. He also sings about how she is always there for him, both day and night.
The chorus of the song reinforces this message of her goodness, with the singer repeatedly saying how good she is to him. The lyrics also celebrate traditional gender roles, with the singer saying that she knows her place is in the home. This can be seen as a reflection of the societal norms of the time when the song was written.
Overall, "I've Got a Woman" is a song that celebrates the love and dedication of the singer's partner. It portrays a picture of a loving relationship that is based on mutual respect and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Well
This is an indication that the singer is about to start his story.
I got a woman, way over town
The singer has a woman who lives far away from him.
That's good to me, oh yeah
The woman treats the singer well.
Say, I got a woman, way over town
The singer is emphasizing that he has a woman.
Good to me, oh yeah
The woman treats the singer well.
She give me money when I'm in need
The woman helps the singer financially when he needs it.
Yeah, she's a kind of friend indeed
The woman is a true friend to the singer.
She saves her lovin', early in the morning
The woman reserves her love and attention for the singer early in the morning.
Just for me, oh yeah
The woman directs her love and attention to the singer only.
She saves her lovin', just for me
The woman directs her love and attention to the singer only.
Ah, she love me so tenderly
The woman loves the singer in a gentle and caring way.
She's there to love me
The woman is always available to love the singer.
Both day and night
The woman is always there for the singer, day and night.
Never grumbles or fusses
The woman never complains or argues with the singer.
Always treats me right
The woman always treats the singer well.
Never runnin' in the streets
The woman is faithful to the singer and never runs around.
And leavin' me alone
The woman never leaves the singer alone, but always stays with him.
She knows a woman's place
The woman understands her role as a woman.
Is right there now in her home
The woman believes that her place is in her home, taking care of her man.
Oh, she's my baby
The woman is like a baby to the singer, someone he loves and takes care of.
Oh, don't you understand?
The singer is asking the listener if they understand the depth of his relationship with the woman.
Yeah, and I'm her lover man
The singer is proud to be the woman's lover.
Oh, don't you know she's alright
The singer wants to emphasize that the woman is great and treats him well.
She's alright, she's alright
The woman is great and good to the singer.
Whoa yeah, oh yeah
The singer expresses happiness and enthusiasm about his relationship with the woman.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Renald J. Richard, Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sasha_Sukhov
A woman who ain't got a dime
I can't use her no
If she ain't got no cash money
I've got to refuse her
I need a woman
With a whole lotta will
So she help me, baby
Help me pay my bill
I need my money
I've got to have money
@Jasmine-en3mz
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say I got a woman, way over town
Good to me, oh yeah
She gives me money when I'm in need
Yeah, she's a kind of friend indeed
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the mornin'
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the mornin'
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', just for me
Yeah she loves me, so tenderly
I got a woman, way over town
She's good to me, oh yeah
[Saxophone Solo]
She's there to love me
Both day and night
Never grumbles or fusses
Always treats me right
Never runnin' in the streets
And leavin' me alone
She knows a woman's place
Is right there, now, in her home
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh she's my baby, oh don't you understand
Yeah, and I'm her lover man
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh don't you know she's all right
Oh don't you know she's all right
She's all right, she's all right
Whoa yeah, oh yeah
@jehatofficial
Well
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say, I got a woman, way over town
Good to me, oh yeah
She give me money when I'm in need
Yeah, she's a kind of friend indeed
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the morning
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', early in the morning
Just for me, oh yeah
She saves her lovin', just for me
Ah, she love me so tenderly
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
She's there to love me
Both day and night
Never grumbles or fusses
Always treats me right
Never runnin' in the streets
And leavin' me alone
She knows a woman's place
Is right there now in her home
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Say, I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh, she's my baby
Oh, don't you understand?
Yeah, and I'm her lover man
I got a woman, way over town
That's good to me, oh yeah
Oh, don't you know she's alright
Oh, don't you know she's alright
She's alright, she's alright
Whoa yeah, oh yeah
@MimiTheHamster
Ray Charles was sure ahead of his time... singing about financially independent but loyal and giving women
@TheEncuestadora
a sugar mommy 😂👌
@aaby9286
And Kanye has to give it a negative meaning lmaoo
@generaltso6914
Ray Charles was a cheating womanizer who sexually abused his staff/background singers and others.
@MimiTheHamster
Sandra Bowen not saying i doubt you but proof?
@generaltso6914
@@MimiTheHamster Just Google him. None of that is a secret. Or watch one of the movies about him.
@joycetaylor7939
Jamie Foxx did a phenomenal job at playing the great Ray Charles! Rip,Mr Charles!😎😎😎
@elenaarman-tang7811
Yesss he did! I've seen that movie at least 10 times!!!
@justynrojo-collins7959
Joyce Taylor AMEN🙏
@rosarioforino7075
mr.Robinson