Track Talk: Woman Don't

[dansven]

Track Talk: Woman Don’t

You've been staying out late, coming home all hours
And I've got to know, babe, why you treat me this way
What you trying to tell me?
That our love is over?
Well, I've got to ask you, why you damn at me?

Woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, don’tcha know
Now, woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, woman don’tcha go

I call you on the phone, babe, but I get no answer
I've got to know now, who's on the other line
Yes, I heard it from the grapevine
You have found another
But I've got to ask you, baby, one more time

Woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, don’tcha know
Now, woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, woman don’tcha go

Once we made sweet music, I and you used to sing, baby
But the music is missing, you don't sing no more
Now I see you coming
But I can see two shadows
I'm standing on the sidewalk and you're not alone

Woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, don’tcha know
Said, woman don't
Woman don’t
Woman don’tcha, woman don’tcha go

Source: Single “Walkin’ The Road” / “Woman Don’t”
Recorded: 1980
Length:
Writer: Michael Green
(Lyrics from the internet, possible errors…)

This a favourite of mine, an overlooked B-side gem from the PVK years. I like the funky, jazzy feeling. It opens with a single guitar tone by Peter, then it’s a great groove with catchy rhythm guitar chords. Peter’s does a great job singing it, and I love the vibrato at the end of the line “I've got to know now, who's on the other line”.

Then there’s the lazy guitar with that clean sound so familiar for that era. I like the “tapping” solo that starts around 02:00 followed by those “releasing” long tones (hard to speak about music…). I think most other guitarists would have felt it too unpolished, and would have done more fancy playing. But I guess Peter did what felt right, and it fits the song perfectly. Then he’s getting more loose in the second solo after the last chorus.

I also think the band does a good job on this, and I like walking bass line on the chorus.

It’s a great song to play when driving your car at night. Especially when it’s raining!
Other thoughts or comments? Let’s discuss!

-Daniel