What a Woman Wants

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately throw the listener into a charged verbal confrontation, with Lola confidently asserting her understanding of women's desires against Don's dismissive, stereotypical views. It's a battle of wits, setting up a clear conflict between two opposing perspectives on gender and relationships. Lola positions herself as the authority, challenging Don's perceived arrogance. The central tension arises from the stark contrast between Lola's nuanced, perhaps idealized vision of what women truly seek and Don's crude, reductive assumptions. Lola's intriguing list, which includes "Masculinity" alongside "Sensitivity" and the curious "A muffin to clutch," suggests a complex, multifaceted desire. Don's attempt to interject with a simplistic "rock solid-" is quickly and pointedly reinterpreted by Lola as "commitment!", highlighting their fundamental disagreement. Lola's language is a key craft element, using vivid, almost poetic descriptions like "smoothness of her skin with a gentle caress" and sharp, alliterative insults such as "divinely dull, drab and dumpy" to contrast with Don's more simplistic vocabulary. Her self-description as "a reflection," "Her protection," and "Her curious mystery" further highlights her self-awareness and depth, particularly when juxtaposed with Don's superficiality. The lyrics are effective because they create a dynamic, character-driven debate that feels both personal and universal. The direct challenge Lola issues—a role-reversal dare to "be a real man" by adopting her perspective—and Don's immediate, telling refusal ("I ain't wearing no poofy dress") not only provides a dramatic climax but also humorously underscores the rigid gender expectations Lola is trying to dismantle. The piece thrives on its sharp dialogue and the clear contrast between its two speakers.