Song Meaning

Aaron Tveit's medley of Billy Joel's "She's Always A Woman" and Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" creates a fascinating dialogue about the complexities of love and the enigmatic nature of women. The pairing isn't accidental; it's a carefully constructed exploration of idealized versus realistic love. "She's Always A Woman" initially paints a portrait of a captivating yet maddening figure, one who is both alluring and infuriating. The lyrics suggest a love that persists despite the subject's flaws—her casual lies, her manipulative tendencies. The repeated line, "she's always a woman to me," implies an acceptance, even an embrace, of these imperfections as intrinsic to her identity. It speaks to a kind of infatuation that transcends rational judgment, rooted perhaps in a subconscious desire for the very chaos she embodies. The song acknowledges a push-pull dynamic, as the woman is described as both kind and cruel, leaving the narrator in a constant state of anticipation and uncertainty. This uncertainty, however, fuels the passion and sustains the relationship, as it is a constant challenge that keeps the narrator engaged. The song's lyrics suggest that she is a force of nature, an untamable spirit who cannot be constrained or defined by conventional expectations. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of her unique individuality and the power she wields over the narrator's heart. Transitioning into Mitchell's "A Case of You," the perspective shifts to a more vulnerable and self-aware space. The lyrics delve into the intoxicating and addictive nature of love, comparing it to a potent wine that leaves one both invigorated and emotionally raw. The line, "You're in my blood like holy wine," captures the profound impact the subject has on the narrator's very being. The acknowledgment of both the "bitter and sweet" taste suggests a relationship defined by both pleasure and pain, a duality that makes it all the more compelling. The imagery of drawing a map of Canada with the subject's face on it speaks to a desire to possess and immortalize the loved one, to map their essence onto the landscape of one's own life. Further, the lyrics touch on the theme of emotional vulnerability, with the narrator admitting to being "a lonely painter" who is both frightened and drawn to those who are fearless. This suggests that the subject possesses a strength and confidence that the narrator admires and seeks to emulate. The song builds to a confession of deep connection: "Love is touching souls." The acknowledgment that a part of the subject pours out of the narrator in lines of poetry emphasizes the transformative power of love, its ability to shape and inspire creative expression. Tveit's combination exposes love as both blinding idealization and brutal, addictive reality. Together, the songs create a portrait of womanhood that is neither wholly angelic nor demonic, but rather a complex tapestry of strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions. The pairing underscores the enduring power of love to both elevate and devastate, to leave us forever changed and forever yearning.

Aaron Tveit - Pop, Live

She’s Always A Woman / A Case Of You

2 Plays

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[Part I: She's Always A Woman] [Verse 1] She can kill with a smile She can wound with her eyes She can ruin your faith with her casual lies And she only reveals what she wants you to see Yeah, she hides like a child But she's always a woman to me [Verse 2] She can lead you to love She can take you or leave you She can ask for the truth But she'll never believe you And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free Yeah, she steals like a thief But she's always a woman to me [Chorus] Oh, she takes care of herself She can wait if she wants She's ahead of her time Oh, and she never gives out And she never gives in She just changes her mind [Verse 3] And she'll promise you more Than the Garden of Eden Then she'll carelessly cut you And laugh while you're bleedin' And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free Yeah, she steals like a thief But she's always a woman to me [Interlude] Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm [Chorus] Oh, she takes care of herself She can wait if she wants She's ahead of her time Oh, and she never gives out And she never gives in She just changes her mind [Verse 4] She is frequently kind Then she's suddenly cruel She can do as she pleases She's nobody's fool But she can't be convicted She's earned her degree Yeah, she hides like a child And she steals like a thief And the most she will do Is throw shadows at you But she's always a woman to me [Outro] Yeah, she hides like a child But she's always a woman to me [Part II: A Case Of You] [Verse 1] Just before our love got lost, you said "I am as constant as a northern star" And I said, "Constantly in the darkness Where's that at? If you want me, I'll be in the bar" [Verse 2] On the back of a, a cartoon coaster In the blue TV screen light I drew a map of Canada Oh, Canada With your face drawn on it twice [Chorus] You're in my blood like holy wine You taste so bitter and so sweet Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling And I would still be on my feet I would still be on my feet [Verse 3] I am a lonely painter I live in a box of paints I am frightened by the devil And I'm drawn to those that ain't afraid [Verse 4] I remember the time you told me, you said "Love is touching souls" Surely you touched mine 'Cause part of you pours out of me In these lines from time to time [Chorus] Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine You taste so bitter and so sweet Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling And I would be on my feet I would still be on my feet [Verse 5] I met a woman, she had a mouth like yours She knew your life She knew your devils and your demons And she said, "Go to her Stay with her if you can But be, be prepared to bleed" [Chorus] Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine (You're in my blood like holy wine) You taste so bitter and so sweet Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling And I would be on my feet I would still be on my, my feet [Outro] Mmm mmm mmm [Outro, spoken] Thank you. Those two songs; if you're unfamiliar, the first one's by Billy Joel and the second one is by Joni Mitchell, and, uh, you know, it's, uh, I think that's the first time I've ever gotten to sing a duet with a guitar player, wasn't that amazing, what he was playing at the beginning of that song?

Credits

Writers: Billy Joel
Joni Mitchell

She’s Always A Woman / A Case Of You

She’s Always A Woman / A Case Of You

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Credits