Billy Joel

I was listening to some Billy Joel this morning courtesy of the $2 Greatest Hits album of his I found at Frugal Muse over the weekend. ($2!!) I was sort of struck by the lyrics of "She's Always a Woman." I liked the song because it is accurate (not sure this is the best word to describe what I mean, but I can't think of a better one), but without being accusatory.

There is a certain power in being a woman that I think is pretty cool. We're strength, light, softness and beauty, but we can be hard, cool and careless, too. It's the best and the worst of what we can be and there is power in both.

"She's Always a Woman"

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 love
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
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me.

CHORUS:
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

And she'll 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

CHORUS

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
And 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