Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I want you
Woman
Tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Ooh, now didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit?
The world expects a man
To buckle down and shovel shit
What'll you do for loving
When it's only just begun?
I want you to be a woman
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
An equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same?
Ooh, well I travelled around the world
And found a brand new word for day
Ooh, watching the time mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
Ooh, what'll you think of heaven
If it's back from where you came
I want you to be a woman
I want you to be a woman, yeah
Ooh, you know I'm gonna save the world
Ooh, now I've just begun
Alright
Woman
Tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Ooh, now didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit?
The world expects a man
To buckle down and shovel shit
What'll you do for loving
When it's only just begun?
I want you to be a woman
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
An equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same?
Ooh, well I travelled around the world
And found a brand new word for day
Ooh, watching the time mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
Ooh, what'll you think of heaven
If it's back from where you came
I want you to be a woman
I want you to be a woman, yeah
Ooh, you know I'm gonna save the world
Ooh, now I've just begun
Alright
Lyrics submitted by FreddieIsMyIdol
Son and Daughter Lyrics as written by Brian May
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I would certainly argue that the song is Brian May's attack on feminism. He gave an interview many years ago where he said that women's liberation had gone too far.
He's an intelligent enough guy, but like most rock stars, has some pretty ignorant attitudes towards women, I guess.
True, although that was 40-odd years ago, so one can hope that he's become much more enlightened in that regard since then. Still, the popular misconception about feminists being man-haters is just as persistent today as it was in the 70s, so I guess I shouldn't hold my breath for Brian.
i love this song! i think its about some dude who was pissed of at societys rules and wanted it to change
I never really got the lyrics to this song. It does sound like it's about some guy who's angry at something. I sort of thought it was a protest against the feminist movement: That men and women are supposed to have certain roles in society, and women should stick to their role and not try to take on the role of men as well, for two reasons: 1. It's not that easy being a man. 2. A man wants a woman, not a woman trying to be a man and woman (or son and daughter). Just a thought. I don't even think all of the lyrics match that meaning, especially the last part about saving the world. ("Gotta save the world/Ooh, I've just begun") Anyone else have any ideas?
Can't believe how many/few people have commented on this song. Nice, heavy-esque song.
I think it's commenting on society, and would probably do anything just to get away from it all or change it.
Yeah, I guess that's what the part about saving the world is about...trying to change the society.
It has always made me think of Freedie and his sexual preferences. He lacked a source of love in his life and contemplates if things would have been any better if he'd been a woman. The world expects a man to buckle down and shovel shit...this is the one thing freddie is refusing to do,as he is uncomfortable being just any man and is breaking away from the confines the world places on male masculinity...regardless, Freddie you are missed!
It's Brian's song, though.
I guess you could interpret it that way, except this song was written by Brian...but even if it was written by Freddie, I see a number of problems with the interpretation. For instance, it says "I want YOU to be a woman," and not "I want to be a woman." It's still rather an interesting thought, though...maybe Freddie would have liked to be a woman at some point in his life, but I have the feeling that he enjoyed being a man too much to want to change.
I still stand by what I say about it being anti-Feminism. I just can't figure out this part: "Well I travelled around the world Found a brand new word for day Watching the time, mustn't linger behind Pardon me I have to get away"
lololol....you guys crack me up! Take it for what it is and stop trying to psychoanalyze the lyrics....this is a straight up kick ass rock and roll song...no more no less
@MoonlitKnight well, you are on songMEANINGS.com, so don't be surprised people are trying to find the meaning
Yeah, I agree. It's just a rock song. The lyrics don't really need to have a meaning, as long as it sounds good. But yes, you could see it as a comment about society's rules. Why not?
This site is songMEANINGS.net, so if you don't want to try to figure out the meaning of the song, don't tell off others who are. Yes, there are many rock songs without meaning, but I don't think this is one of them. Brian May is an intelligent man and many of his songs include interesting, though-provoking lyrics. He doesn't strike me as the type of person to just rebel mindlessly against society, or write songs about it. This particular song is commenting about something very specific within society, or even about a particular person.
I find it rather sad that almost no one wants to put any thought into this song, and the only person here that did thinks Freddie wrote it...