Mysoginistic?? ( Archived) (21)

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to live
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free
She steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

Oh, she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She will promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
But she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me

These are the lyrics to Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman to Me"

I have just seen a documentary (Melvin Bragg, for those who know him) on the songwriter/singer. Apparently, he had accusations thrown at him that the song was "mysoginistic".....

Personally, I feel its something of an accolade to women.... describing all facets that encompass a woman.... but then its all down to interpretation, yeah?

Wadda you think? Is ther something I've missed per chance?

An enlightened man..... or a bitter man??

I think he described many of the whimsies and facets of womanhood that most women would recognise in themselves. It's a great song.

Yep.. I agree

haha yeah... maybe

women creatures to be afraid of understand tihis once more after reading this poem extremely right and frightening

Indeed!!! He probably describes a woman that a less than "enlightened" man wouldn't recognise.... or would misinterpret?? Though, Conrad has a point.... perhaps enlightened AND bitter??

What about "Just the Way You Are"?? Again.... it has been proported that this was about a man wanting a "bimbo" type, that didn't think for herself and that he didn't want to change (possibly because it served his purpose??)..... yet, some romantic types may suggest that its because he adored her so much that he didn't want her to change...??

I'd like to go with the latter... but perhaps that's the soppy in me??

Any thoughts?

I think to the less enlightened it might seem bitter from the descriptive lines, but you know he isn't being bitter at the end of every verse when he says, "but she's always a woman to me". It's like saying that no matter how she appears, that might not seem good sometimes, the essence or warmth of womanhood is always reserved for him. Well to my interpretation anyway. They are the words of a man in love.