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”
You better love loving and you better behave
You better love loving and you better behave
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Calls her man the great white hope
Says she's fine, she'll always cope
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Well I feel lying and waiting is a poor man's deal
And I feel hopelessly weighed down by your eyes of steel
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
Trades her soul as skin and bones
Sells the only thing she owns
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Men of stone
Men of stone
Well I feel deep in your heart there are wounds time can't heals
And I feel somebody somewhere is trying to breathe
Well you know what I mean
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
It's under my skin but out of my hands
I'll tear it apart but I won't understand
I will not accept the greatness of man
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
So free her
So free her
You better love loving and you better behave
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Calls her man the great white hope
Says she's fine, she'll always cope
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Well I feel lying and waiting is a poor man's deal
And I feel hopelessly weighed down by your eyes of steel
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
Trades her soul as skin and bones
Sells the only thing she owns
Woman in chains
Woman in chains
Men of stone
Men of stone
Well I feel deep in your heart there are wounds time can't heals
And I feel somebody somewhere is trying to breathe
Well you know what I mean
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
It's under my skin but out of my hands
I'll tear it apart but I won't understand
I will not accept the greatness of man
It's a world gone crazy
Keeps woman in chains
So free her
So free her
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Woman in Chains Lyrics as written by Roland Orzabal
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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TEARS FOR FEARS with OLETA ADAMS
WOMAN IN CHAINS
My take on this soulful beautifully crafted song. Please read on—- “Well you better love lovin And you better behave…”
This is a multi layered song and on the surface can be seen as an abusive man subjugating his female partner. However it is much more than that.
. In the video we see the woman in her traditional roles- a willing partner for her man’s sexual desire, a virginal bride in her white dress, a housekeeper yet also a sex object in her provocative dancer costume. She is also the soother of her man when he is stressed.
The abusive man is the demander of sex, the physically strong bully who expects his woman to cater for his needs— or else.
Needless to say, the woman is unhappy and the song is a plea for her freedom from this subordination. HOWEVER, the man is not happy, despite his dominance.
He is seen in his testosterone fuelled roles, bullying his woman, in the boxing ring using his physical strength. But very late in the song we see him behind the wire netting, imprisoned in his own perceived societal role. At the very end we see the man caressing a bird, something way outside the image we have seen. However if we view the bird as a symbol of the “woman in chains” then the bird / woman is at the mercy of the man, who decides the fate.
So the ultimate message of the song is that the male imprisonment of the female is not conducive to human happiness for either sex. The woman has the poorer deal, but the man too is incarcerated in his expectations and it is only by freeing the woman and embracing his own nurturing side can they both be free.
So soulful, just amazing. Written in the 80s, a very brave song for a male duo in that era. If you just listen to just one song this week, listen to this.