He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Woman Or A Man
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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I thought I saw an angel sitting on a stool
I just couldn’t tell, you’ll think I’m a fool
If she was a woman or a man
She was the kind of woman that a man could crave
From her high-heeled shoes to her permanent wave
Except maybe she was needing a shave
I asked her to dance and I took her by the hand
She held me so tight, it was hard for me to stand
Built like a lumberjack, I couldn’t understand
If she was a woman or a man
Well, I walked her home at a quarter past four
My heart was thumping as we ducked in the door
And then when she kissed me I thought I was sure
If she was a woman or a man
She stole my wallet and she knocked me off my feet
She tied on her roller skates and made her retreat
All I found was a blond wig lying in the street
Was she a woman or a man?
Well, I don’t care if she seemed unkind
She stole my heart and she robbed me blind
I love her so much that I still wouldn’t mind
If she was a woman or a man
The song "Woman or a Man" by Richard Thompson tells a story about a man who meets a person on the dance floor whom he can't determine the gender of. While the singer initially finds the individual attractive, he is unsure if they are a woman or a man, leading to confusion and hesitance in his approach. Throughout the song, he remains perplexed, questioning the individual's gender and appearance, wondering if they are a woman or a man. He eventually walks her home, and they share a kiss, leading him to believe that they might be a woman. However, she steals his wallet and escapes on roller skates, leaving him with a blond wig.
The lyrics of the song touch upon themes such as sexuality and gender identity. The singer's confusion with the person's gender identity implies a breakdown of gender norms and societal expectations. The song also highlights the power of attraction and the way it can make people overlook flaws in their partners.
Line by Line Meaning
I stepped on the dance floor feeling very cool
Being confident and trying to act cool, I stepped onto the dance floor
I thought I saw an angel sitting on a stool
I saw someone who appeared heavenly, sitting calmly on a stool
I just couldn’t tell, you’ll think I’m a fool
Although I couldn't discern their gender, I didn't want to be perceived as a fool
If she was a woman or a man
I was unsure if they identified as a woman or a man
She was the kind of woman that a man could crave
This person exhibited qualities that a heterosexual man would find attractive in a woman
From her high-heeled shoes to her permanent wave
Her appearance was very feminine with high-heeled shoes and a permanent wave hairstyle
Except maybe she was needing a shave
However, they had some physical attributes that did not match society's expectations of a feminine person, such as facial hair
Was she a woman or a man?
The main question in my mind was whether this person identified as a woman or a man
I asked her to dance and I took her by the hand
Regardless of their actual gender, I asked them to dance and they accepted, holding my hand tightly
She held me so tight, it was hard for me to stand
Their grip was so strong that it was tough for me to maintain my balance
Built like a lumberjack, I couldn’t understand
Despite their physical appearance being more stereotypically masculine, I still had no clue about their gender identity
If she was a woman or a man
My uncertainty about their gender persisted
Well, I walked her home at a quarter past four
After dancing and spending some time getting to know each other, I walked them home in the early morning hours
My heart was thumping as we ducked in the door
I was very nervous as we entered their home
And then when she kissed me I thought I was sure
But then they kissed me and for a moment I thought I knew their gender
If she was a woman or a man
The confusion returned, and I still did not know their gender
She stole my wallet and she knocked me off my feet
Unfortunately, they took advantage of my trust and stole my wallet, which surprised me and caused me to fall down
She tied on her roller skates and made her retreat
Then they put on roller skates and left quickly
All I found was a blond wig lying in the street
All I found in their wake was a blonde wig on the ground
Was she a woman or a man?
Even after all that happened, I still could not confidently say what gender they identified as
Well, I don’t care if she seemed unkind
Regardless of this person's behavior, I did not care
She stole my heart and she robbed me blind
This person still managed to captivate my heart, despite robbing me of my wallet
I love her so much that I still wouldn’t mind
Even without knowing their gender, I still loved and cared for them deeply
If she was a woman or a man
Ultimately, their gender identity did not matter to me, as my feelings for them were unaffected
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benjamin Meltzer
How did this performance come to be professionally recorded? Was it, for example, recorded for TV broadcast?