Ignored Obscured Restored
I’ve always been intrigued by the ability of an artist to write a song from the perspective of the opposite gender in a way that rings with authenticity. This post will highlight three examples of my favorite songs written by men from the point of view of a woman. In each case, cover versions by female artists are so effective that they underscore how successfully the male writer captured a woman’s voice and experience.
The first is “Angel From Montgomery” by John Prine. The song is from the POV of a Southern woman who feels like an old soul. It opens with these evocative lines:
I am an old woman
Named after my mother
My old man is another
Child that’s grown old
The version by Bonnie Raitt, with her whiskey-soaked vocal, captures the essence of the song in a way that Prine’s original version doesn’t quite achieve. You can feel the desperation in her voice as she wishes to escape a life of drudgery and unfulfilled dreams.
Next is “Millworker” by James Taylor, a poignant song that delves into the anguish of a woman trapped by her circumstances. In “Millworker,” the narrator is a woman working in the mills during the Industrial Revolution. She recounts her struggles and hardships, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and sorrow.
Emmylou Harris’ version is the gold standard. She eloquently conveys the heartache of a woman who married a man who drank himself to death, leaving her to raise three children on her own. To survive, she takes a monotonous job in the mill, her mind drifting back to happier times on the farm where she grew up. The song ends with an overwhelming sense of sadness and regret.
Yes, but it’s my life has been wasted, and I have been the fool
To let this manufacturer use my body for a tool
I can ride home in the evening, staring at my hands
Swearing by my sorrow that a young girl ought to stand a better chance
Finally, since it’s Christmas week, I have to include “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” by Tom Waits. The narrator, a woman, writes a letter to a man named Charlie, and through her words, Waits delivers some of his most vivid and poignant storytelling. The song is written in a Beat prose style, weaving a tale of a pitiful life with an unexpected twist at the end.
Neko Case (of The New Pornographers) recorded a version that stands out, though I can’t say it’s better than Waits’ original. With a simple church organ accompaniment, Case’s rendition spins the tale with raw vulnerability and haunting clarity.
While there are many more examples of songs written by men from a woman’s point of view, few match the emotional power of the three I’ve featured today. These songs not only demonstrate the skill of their writers but also the ability of cover artists to bring fresh, profound interpretations to the material.
Enjoy… until next week.