Just Like a Woman

Bob Dylan’s song “Just Like a Woman” was first released on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde.  It quickly rose to #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and is recognized as one of the greatest songs of all time.  Dylan had a number of other popular songs at the time and produced several songs that would become anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements.  His music essentially altered the style of popular music at the time, using electric instruments and lyrics that incorporated many political, philosophical and social issues.



He influenced the styles of performers like Little Richard and Hank Williams and has explored many types of music over the duration of his long career.  He immersed himself in the traditions of folk, blues, country, gospel, rock and roll, jazz and many other styles, of which he mainly performed with guitar, keyboards, and the harmonica.  Although his music is widely appreciated and his performances made him a star, he was most highly regarded for his song-writing ability.  Dylan was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and is known to have had an intense impact on pop music and American culture.  “Just Like a Woman” is just one example of a song of his that delves into social and philosophical issues during the 1960’s and beyond.  This song in particular focuses on the cultural concepts of gender and perception of women in the 1960’s.

Recorded in Nashville, TN in 1966 by Columbia Studios, the folk rock, pop song was sold as a 7” single and produced by Bob Johnston.  It rapidly became perhaps the most commercial track on the album through the catchy, soft melody followed by a nylon string guitar and piano instrumentation.  Being a Bob Dylan fan, it has grown to be one of my favorites for several reasons.  Not only is the instrumentation relaxing and appealing, but the lyrics are so pure and genuine.

The song’s lyrics suggest that Dylan is singing about a former lover, however this has never been confirmed nor denied.  He uses a lot of repetition specifically when he repeats the phrase “just like a woman.”  In my opinion his reference to the way women act plays on the vulnerability of women, suggesting that they do not act the same way as men when it comes to love and relationships.  In the chorus he sings,

“She takes just like a woman, yes she does
she makes love just like a woman, yes she does
and she aches just like a woman
but she breaks just like a little girl.”   

These lines seem to portray the feminine nature of women and how our culture perceives them to be soft and gentle.  The role of gender in the 1960’s places women in the household, caring for the men who do the work and support the family.  It is important to note that I am not suggesting that Dylan was a misogynist because I believe he sings from an affectionate tone, praising women for their nature.
Though he is not demeaning women for their roles, he does point out the social perspective of women.  In the line,

“Till she finally sees that she’s like all the rest
With her fog, her amphetamine and her pearls,”

 Dylan compares the subject of the song to all other women, grouping them together as if they were the same.  She has left him, but these lyrics suggest that she will come running back because all women need “pearls” and a man to take care of them.  He also goes on to show the manipulation and greed towards the end of the song.When he sings,

“When we meet again
introduced as friends
Please don't let on that you knew me when
I was hungry and it was your world,”

I think he means that women can be deceptive and play with men’s emotions as if men can be "hungry" are subject to the woman's “world.”  The world being a fantasy of a perfect relationship. And finally in the last line “But you break just like a little girl,” Dylan is moving the focus of gender from grown women to the immaturity of a little girl.  To me the “breaks” means a failing relationship or breaking up, which infers that although women are physically developed and capable of faking and aching and making love, their emotions are still affected like those of a little girl.

Bob Dylan’s lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, but I believe his connotations towards women are not negative, but rather appreciative.  I think he loves the serene nature of a woman and the way she interacts with men, relationships and love.  His several songs about women praise them for their roles and the desire a man has for them.  In his song "Lay, Lady, Lay," Dylan speaks about a man longing for the love of a woman.  He encourages the woman to stay and lay across the bed after the man has worked a long day.  Although he may not be talking about himself specifically, his lyrics are begging for a woman to show her love by staying the night.  This is another example of the perceived position of women and the impact their gender has on the lives of men.  Along with "Just Like a Woman," it song glorifies the opposite sex in a sexual sense, but places them in a concrete role in a social sense.  He sings, 

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead.

Bob Dylan is a talented singer/ song-writer, who has the ability to portray social issues while still maintaining some truth and humility.  As one of the biggest hits of all time, this song serves as a landmark in not only popular music culture, but in the social function of gender that reflects the attitudes present in the mid-20th century.

Related Links/ Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-dylan-mn0000066915
http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/just-woman