Women in Songs You'd Share

[Soandso]

…something for all those Julianne's out there …

Back in 1968 there was the enchanting song "Julia" that began "Half of what I say is meaningless, But I say it just to reach you Julia … " by The Beatles.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

This is the version I heard in high school. It was recorded in the late '50s or so. The one from the G. W. Pabst movie from the early '30s where she sings it in a higher key is also available on youtube. I like this one better.

 

[JIW]

Maria from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story along with several jazz adaptations such as Sarah Vaughan's live at the Tivoli Garden although many others are instrumentals.

 

[Soandso]

Here's a song written in 1926 when the percentage of the USA farming was similarly 26% of the population and trains ran commerce that survives in a Mal Hallet (1893-1952) recording of "She's a Cornfed Indiana Girl" … relating … "Some folks say, She hasn't any style, But her ways have, Always made me smile … She's so bashful, She's so shy, Hides every Tuesday, When the train goes by …."

 

[Soandso]

Moving along in time during the 1950s USA we had very popular hit records by what were classified as "street corner" harmonizing singers. Yet actually there were such "doo-wop" records being made like this one by a group calling themselves The Cats & The Fiddle back in 1940 titled "You're So Fine" … singing … "You're so wonderful, And you're mine, And I love you so …"

 

[Robin L]

Written by Leonard Cohen but made famous by Judy Collins:

 

[Robin L]

Joni Mitchell wrote this for Sharon Bell, a childhood friend. Sharon had once dreamed of being a singer but married a farmer.

 

[Robin L]

A song by Suzanne Vega about giving birth—"Love made real".

 

[Robin L]

"You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman", written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, sung by Aretha Franklin:

 

[Robin L]

"Fotheringay", written and performed by Sandy Denny:

 

[Blahzot]

Another Mary

 

[somebodyelse]

Budapest by Jethro Tull from Crest of a Knave - concerning an unnamed member of the backstage crew

 

[pinger]

With her killer graces
And her secret places
That no boy can fill
With her hands on her hips
Oh, and that smile on her lips
Because she knows that it kills me
With her soft French cream
Standing in that doorway like a dream
I wish she'd just leave me alone
Because French cream won't soften them boots
And French kisses will not break that heart of stone
With her long hair falling
And her eyes that shine like a midnight sun
O-oh, she's the one

Great song. Brings back memories. I was in High School when this came out. I would come home after school and listen to this album every day for weeks! Good times

 

[mhardy6647]

I'm not a big fan of the Boss, but when he has his ducks in a row, he can have a way with words.
Another woman he wrote & sang about that resonates with me: Rosalita
I say this even though this song's mostly about the singer's hubris, not his romantic interest, isn't it?

... Oh, so your daddy says he knows that I don't have any money
Well, tell him this is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance
Because the record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance

 

[Soandso]

James "Bubber" Miley (1903-1932) recorded "I Lost My Gal From Memphis" … "she's gone to Caroline, I know just who she went with, She went with a dear old pal o'mine …"

 

[Soandso]

The year was 1977 and Steely Dan group recorded "Peg" which became like an ear-worm of the radio: "I like your picture … This is your big debut … So won't you smile for the camera, I know they're gonna love it … I like your pin shot, I keep it with your letter, Done up in blueprint blue, It sure looks good on you, And when you smile for the camera, I know I'll love you better … It's your favorite foreign movie ….."

 

[mhardy6647]

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and Cape Cod resident Patty Larkin's written and performed a number of songs about interesting female characters (including herself!) over her long career. I am a huge fan of hers, in full & complete disclosure.

I've been trying to pick just one of her songs/subjects to serve as an example. This is probably the least interesting (in the sense that it's a character sketch of a rather well-known and much-discussed character), but I do like this one... so Mary Magdalene it is!

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

Oh Peggy Gordon,
You are my Darlin
Come sit you down
Upon my knee

 

[Soandso]

Ray Baretto (1926-2006) lays down a strong Puerto Rican beat in a 1966 catchy hit recording of the song "Margie" trying to figure out what went wrong with his girl and get back together by leading off telling her "I'd like to know what I did to you, I'd like to know the reason you flee from me … If I offended you, say what I did to you …

 

[Timcognito]