Woman

Album: Lady Godiva (1966)
Charted: 28 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Paul McCartney wrote this song using the pseudonym Bernard Webb. He used this name to see if the public would like the song on its own merits, not knowing that the famous Beatle was behind it. The song was a modest hit, although not nearly as big as "A World Without Love," which he also wrote for Peter & Gordon, the duo of Peter Asher and Gordon Waller. Word did get out that McCartney wrote the song; he knew his cover was blown when he saw a banner at one of their shows that said "Long Live Bernard Webb." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Daniel - Richardson, TX
  • "Woman" was a term of endearment in the '60s used to show commitment. These days, it seems rather possessive, but "be my woman" was said with good intentions back then. In this song, the guy has lost his "woman" and is making a play to get her back.
  • McCartney's Beatles bandmate John Lennon wrote his own song called "Woman" that appeared in 1980 on his last album, Double Fantasy. His song is an ode of gratitude to his wife, Yoko.

Comments: 10

  • Max from Blandford ForumEveryone knows a Samuel from Kilsyth
  • Chris from CaHey Samuel from Kilsyth -- It's people like you that give the internet a bad name
  • James from Diamond Bar Ca Beautiful - Classic 1966 - A modest hit? Its a Standard - to go Number 14 in 1966 - Is still awesome - The 1966 Charts probably the greatest charts of all time.
  • Susan from UsaLyrics correction: "Help me just to get through it."
  • Traci from Worcester MaThis song was a favorite of mine my parents watched TV in the basement, and we slept upstairs and a radio playing in the living room this song would play and I would run to the radio and put my ear right on the radio and sing along. I am 58 and this song is still one of the best!!!!! I just heard it here and it still gives me chills. Thanks!! woman by peter & gordon
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 11th 1966, Peter and Gordon performed "Woman" on the NBC-TV program 'Hullabaloo'*...
    At the time the song was at #18 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; fourteen days earlier on March 27th, 1966 it had peaked at #14 for one week {See next post below}...
    * This was Hullabaloo's final show; it debut on January 12th, 1965 and ran for two seasons with a total of 48 original episodes.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 29th 1966, Peter and Gordon performed "Woman" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Eight days later on February 6th, 1966 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on March 27th, 1966 it peaked at #14 {for 1 week} and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on the same 'Bandstand' show they sang "Don't Pity Me" {it stayed on the Top 100 for a 4 week stay, peaking at #83}...
    Gordon Waller passed away on July 17th, 2009 at the young age of 64 {heart attack} and Peter Asher will celebrate his 70th birthday this coming June 22nd {2014}.
  • Louski from Nyc, VaSamuel: Perhaps you should check your facts. Paul McCartney wrote "Woman" for Peter&Gordon in 1966!!! That's more than a decade BEFORE Lennon wrote his "Woman" song for Double Fantasy. Your entire "theory," which is really just a rant, is wrong. And Lennon moved to New York because that's where everything was happening and because the UK was giving him and Yoko a tremendously hard time, attacking her looks and calling her names.
  • Samuel from Kilsyth, United KingdomPaul McCartney is a very SLY MAN,He was so JEALOUS that John Lennon`s song `WOMAN`, was taking all the limelight away FROM HIM,so he (supposedly wrote this song), which is Completely Different from Lennon`s,and as far as `BERNARD WEBB`, McCartney`s `PSEUDONYM NAME`is Concerned, `NO BEATLE`S FAN`I have Spoken to, has Ever Heard of Him,(Bernard Webb),I Have VOLUMES Of BEATLE MATERIAL, and I Have NEVER heard the name `BERNARD WEBB`, So I suggest you get the Book `THE REAL BEATLES`,or the `A to Z` one, and Read Them, and you will Read The `TRUTH` About PAUL McCARTNEY, and How `JOHN LENNON`was so DISGUSTED WITH HIM, He went to AMERICA. FACT.Thanks Samuel Kilsyth,UK
  • Zabadak from London, England"Woman" was also the title of one of John Lennon's last hits! Spooky!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.