Stats
Single by the Beatles
A-side "I Feel Fine"
Released 23 November 1964
Recorded 8 October 1964
Studio EMI, London
Genre Rock and rollpop rockpop-bluesR&B
Length 3:00
Label Capitol (US) Parlophone (UK)
Songwriter Lennon–McCartney
Producer George Martin
The Beatles recorded "She's a Woman" in October 1964, during the sessions for their album Beatles for Sale. McCartney composed it quickly, writing much of the song at EMI Recording Studios shortly before recording. With a sparse arrangement, John Lennon’s rhythm guitar hits on the offbeats, allowing room for the bass to be the centre of the recording. McCartney's prominent bass was to that point the loudest heard on a Beatles recording, anticipating his high-profile bass lines in later songs. His vocal extends near the top of his register, heard especially as he strains near the song's opening. The song has subsequently appeared on compilation albums such as the UK edition of Rarities; Past Masters, Volume One and Mono Masters.
“She's a Woman" has received praise from several music critics and musicologists for McCartney's strong vocal and the band's loud backing, though some have criticised its lyrics as weak. In addition to recording the song twice for BBC radio, The Beatles regularly performed the song during their 1965 and 1966 tours. An August 1965 performance appeared on the 1977 live album The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl while one from June 1966 was included on the 1996 compilation Anthology 2. In his post-Beatles career, McCartney has occasionally performed the song in concert, including an acoustic version that appeared on his 1991 live album Unplugged (The Official Bootleg). Charles River Valley Boys, Jeff Beck and Scritti Politti are among the artists who have covered the track.
Background and Composition
Paul McCartney began composing the lyrics and melody to "She's a Woman" on 8 October 1964, the same day that it was recorded, and finished it quickly. Appearing on the radio programme Top Gear on 17 November 1964, he explained that he only had "about one verse" ready on the morning of the session, finishing the rest of the song once in the studio. In his authorized biography, Many Years from Now, he recalls that the initial idea came to him while walking around the streets of St John's Wood, but is unsure whether he finished the song at home, on his way to the studio, or once actually there. Comparing it to his earlier composition "Can't Buy Me Love", he further recalls the song as an attempt to write "a bluesy thing" in the style of one of his favorite singers, Little Richard. In a 1972 interview, John Lennon identifies the song as McCartney's, but suggests that he may have helped with the middle. In a 1980 interview with Playboy, he again identifies the composition as McCartney's, but suggests he likely contributed some lyrics.
More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She%27s_a_Woman
She's a Woman
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that she's no peasant
Only ever has to give me
Love forever and forever
My love don't give me presents
Turn me on when I get lonely
People tell me that she's only fooling
She don't give boys the eye
She hates to see me cry
She is happy just to hear me
Say that I will never leave her
She don't give boys the eye
She will never make me jealous
Gives me all her time as well as loving
Don't ask me why
She's a woman who understands
She's a woman who loves her man
My love don't give me presents
I know that she's no peasant
Only ever has to give me
Love forever and forever
My love don't give me presents
Turn me on when I get lonely
People tell me that she's only fooling
I know she isn't, woo ooh
She's a woman who understands
She's a woman who loves her man
Her love don't give me presents
I know that she's no peasant
Only ever has to give me
Love forever and forever
My love don't give me presents
Turn me on when I get lonely
People tell me that she's only fooling
I know she isn't
She's a woman, she's a woman
She's a woman, she's a woman, she's a woman
The lyrics to The Beatles' song "She's a Woman" is a tribute to a woman who loves and understands her man. The singer repeatedly asserts that his love "don't give [him] presents," emphasizing that material gifts are unnecessary in their relationship. This indicates a deep connection based on love alone. He also dismisses the idea that she's "only fooling" with him, insisting that he knows she truly loves him. The singer describes his woman as one who never gives other boys the eye and hates to see him cry. She is content to simply hear him say that he will never leave her. In this way, she is secure in her love for him and doesn't feel the need to compete with other women for his attention. The song's chorus emphasizes that she is a woman who understands and loves her man.
At its core, "She's a Woman" can be seen as an anti-materialist ode to a meaningful relationship. The song's emphasis on the power of love and emotional understanding reinforces the idea that true happiness doesn't come from material possessions, but from a deep, meaningful connection with another person. The singer is obviously deeply in love with his woman, and it is clear that she reciprocates his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
My love don't give me presents
Even though my lover doesn't give me physical gifts, I still feel loved.
I know that she's no peasant
I know that my lover is not lower in class or status than me.
Only ever has to give me Love forever and forever
All my lover needs to give me is eternal love, nothing else.
Turn me on when I get lonely
My lover excites me when I'm feeling lonely.
People tell me that she's only fooling, I know she isn't
Although some people doubt her intentions, I believe that my lover truly loves me.
She don't give boys the eye
My lover does not flirt or show romantic interest in other men.
She hates to see me cry
It hurts my lover to see me upset or in tears.
She is happy just to hear me Say that I will never leave her
My lover only needs to hear me promise that I will never abandon her to feel content.
She will never make me jealous
My lover doesn't do things to intentionally make me feel envious or suspicious.
Gives me all her time as well as loving
My lover gives me her undivided attention and affection.
Don't ask me why
I can't explain why my lover treats me so well; it's just the way she is.
She's a woman who understands
My lover is a woman who empathizes with me and comprehends my needs.
She's a woman who loves her man
My lover is a woman who is deeply in love with me.
Her love don't give me presents
My lover's affection is not materialistic; it does not depend on giving me gifts.
She's a woman, she's a woman, she's a woman
My lover is a female, a woman, and I love her for who she is.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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A really great Beatles song.
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A very tuneful Beatles song.
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An excellent Beatles song.
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A beautiful Beatles song.
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Honestly The Beatles can't stop producing good songs.
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A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.