The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active… Read Full Bio ↴The Impressions were an American music group from Chicago, Illinois, active from 1958 until 1983, whose repertoire included doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B.

The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.

Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.

Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)

Discography

Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire

Woman's Got Soul
The Impressions Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She may not be the best lookin' woman
I ever did see
Nor have the charms of the ladies
Of high society

But the woman's got soul
Worth all money and gold
And all the love that I have belongs

To the woman with soul

Now I'm just a regular fellow
I don't need much
I don't need a Cadillac car
Or diamonds and such

But the woman that I hold
She's got to have soul
And then I'm richer than the richest gold
If the woman's got soul

Well, I don't need a woman
That's got a whole lotta class
Because class in a woman
Don't mean she's gonna last

I need a kind of woman
That when I hold she fits so tight, yeah
Oh, and when she throws it on me
I give in without a fight, then I know

The woman's got soul
Worth all money and gold
And then I'm richer than the richest gold
If the woman's got soul
If the woman's got soul

If the woman's got soul
If the woman's got soul

Overall Meaning

In "Woman's Got Soul," The Impressions are making a declaration about their appreciation for a certain type of woman. They explain that she may not be conventionally attractive or have the same status as high society women, but what she lacks in superficial qualities, she makes up for in having a genuine and captivating soul. They sing about how this kind of woman is worth all the money and gold in the world, and all the love they have belongs to her.

The Impressions then contrast this type of woman with what they say they don't need: luxury items like Cadillacs or diamonds. They emphasize that they don't need a woman who is all about appearances and class, as this does not equate to being a long-lasting partner. Instead, they need a woman who fits perfectly with them when they hold her, and who can "throw it on" them and make them give in without a fight. It's clear that, for The Impressions, this soulful type of woman is what completes them and makes them feel truly rich.

This song is a beautiful celebration of women who may not fit into societal beauty standards or have high social status but are still cherished for their inner qualities. It is a reminder that true beauty comes from within and how having soul is what truly counts.

Line by Line Meaning

She may not be the best lookin' woman I ever did see
Appearance doesn't matter as much as inner qualities.

Nor have the charms of the ladies Of high society
She doesn't meet the standards of high society or upper class women.

But the woman's got soul Worth all money and gold And all the love that I have belongs To the woman with soul
However, what she lacks in appearance or social status she makes up for in character and personality. Her soul is valuable and precious to the singer, and he loves her for it.

Now I'm just a regular fellow I don't need much I don't need a Cadillac car Or diamonds and such
The artist is a simple person who doesn't need material possessions to be happy.

But the woman that I hold She's got to have soul And then I'm richer than the richest gold If the woman's got soul
For the artist, what is most important in a woman is her soul, her inner beauty and character, above all else. He considers himself fortunate to have found someone who meets that requirement.

Well, I don't need a woman That's got a whole lotta class Because class in a woman Don't mean she's gonna last
Class or status doesn't guarantee a relationship's longevity or the woman's character.

I need a kind of woman That when I hold she fits so tight, yeah Oh, and when she throws it on me I give in without a fight, then I know
He longs for a passionate relationship with someone who he can love physically and emotionally.

The woman's got soul Worth all money and gold And then I'm richer than the richest gold If the woman's got soul If the woman's got soul If the woman's got soul If the woman's got soul
The chorus reinforces the artist's belief that a woman's soul is the most valuable thing and that if he has found a woman with that quality, he is extremely fortunate and blessed.

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS