Woman In Chains

I think this song also alludes to broader social concepts, chiefly the woman being held down by man in society - "Woman in Chains."

It suggests elements of abuse, which can be taken indivudually or culturally. "Calls her man the Great White Hope" - this is an allusion to boxing, which in this case suggests physical abuse of women.

It also alludes to prostitution as perhaps the worst example - "Trades her soul as skin and bone, sells the only thing she owns." This can be taken literally, or figuratively in the case of a relationship where a woman feels she's "selling herself" to a man who beats her down (emotionally and/or physically) and doesn't truly care for her.

"You better love loving, you better behave" - suggests something like, "You're here for sex, so you should get used to it and like it." A truly disgusting line, yet sadly very true in the minds of many men, and very important in introducing the message of the song.

"Men of Stone" - "Stone" can refer to the hearts of men who keep the women down, who indulge in them for superficial pleasures, who don't treat them as humans. "Stone" also refers to what the chains are tied to - Woman is tied to Man.

"And I feel hopelessly weighed down by your eyes of steel" - I think this refers to what the woman feels on the receiving end, never getting a chance to voice herself, and it also applies to any men who understand her plight and agree something should be done (namely, the songwriter)

"It's a world gone crazy keeps Woman in Chains" - People see this in society, men and women alike, yet since it is just one of a multitude of serious social problems, they just let it happen.

"Well I feel lying and waiting is a poor man's deal" - in other words, if we understand what's going on, men and women alike, and we do nothing about it, we are "poor" - in other words, poor in spirit, poor in integrity.

"I will not accept the Greatness of Man" - This is the songwriter saying, "I don't care that man has achieved so much in society if it means that he has to keep woman down." Or in other words, something must be done about this.

"So Free Her" .... a hopeful ending to a very beautiful, and sadly very true, song.

Roland Orzabal has said of this song:

"The song is an anthem for the women's movement, if a man can write such a thing...

But the song is also about how men traditionally play down the feminine side of their characters and how both men and women suffer for it. I think that a lot of the spiritual side of men and man's soul are seen as feminine qualities. I think it's sad cos we miss out."

I think the song is a story about a specific woman who feels it necessary to go along with her husband's ideas and actions due to her lack of self-esteem. The man is abusive and she is no match for his physical strength. She compromises her principals to keep him happy and she is an emotional prisoner because she views him as much more clever and resourceful than herself. Instead of supporting his family in a decent fashion, the abuser involves his wife in his schemes, which are legal, but immoral. The reality that men often view women as objects for entertainment purposes would be confusing and disturbing to a child. If her children witnessed her abuse they were most likely tormented, knowing they couldn't help her. The ending of the song suggests she was finally freed from this abusive relationship. The children will find a way to cope with their bad memories but they won't ever understand why this had to happen. They won't attribute "greatness" to a man just because he has an impressive lineage or physical strength, but instead they will live their lives with integrity, treating everyone as equals.

What a beautiful song full of such meaning and emotion. :)

love the song....haunting..... a question.......anyone can tell me what is the song REALLY about?? the bit about a womans suffering.....i know......but what else? thanks.....

Ok, this song is about a woman thinking that she needs to give everyone everything, (Trades her soul as skin and bone -Sells the only thing she owns") and she's in denial because she thinks that it's not hurting her....yet, she's a woman in chains. And i guess someone is noticing it, and he sees that ..."And I feel somebody somewhere is trying to breathe." That's what i get from it. It's such a great song....

I have one word to describe this song: in-fucking-credible!!!!!!!!!!

perfect

my wife and i really love this song, its our wedding song. the way we see the song is..... a couple who really love each other but the man is a jealous and percessive person and the woman is a strong independent person. but every time the ugly word jealousy creeps up, there argument is like a battle. but because they love each other so much. neither one knows what to do. the end of the day or just like the end of the song, when he sings ( so free her )... they are a couple that even though there rows are very bad they still really love each other .

from above..... and the end of the day its blinding song and very cleverly wrighten. did you know that roland done 11 versions of the song before he chose this way. also phil collins played the drums on this song. and it doesnt matter how many times i hear this song ( and ive heard it thousands of times) i still love it.