I Ve Got A Woman Analysis

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“I’ve Got a Woman”: Reinforcing and Rebelling Against Social Norms in Popular Music When the modern listener hears the chorus of Ray Charles’ “I’ve Got a Woman”, the first thing that likely comes to mind is Jamie Foxx’s rendition of it in Kanye West’s “Gold Digger”. However, “Woman” was one of Charles’ first major hits, climbing to the top of the Billboard R&B charts in May 1955 (Whitburn). It has also been covered numerous times, most notably by the Beatles. However, what is most interesting about this influential soul song is its interplay with contemporary expectations of adults in society, and what it perhaps says about Charles’ own place within American society. Musically, “I’ve Got a Woman” is a fast-paced, bouncy blues number, featuring Charles singing with drums, a bass, and a small swing band section backing him up, with a brief instrumental break featuring a saxophone solo. Lyrically, Charles is praising …show more content…

However, in other ways, Charles is expressing a view of love and sexual relationships that is subtly subversive of societal expectations, rebelling against strictures imposed on him by white culture. But firstly, what is Charles saying that is in line with the predominant attitude towards sex and marriage? In the opening chorus, Charles sets the scene; he has a lover who lives across town, who he describes as “good to me”. Immediately, Charles is stating that his woman treats him well, which is well in line with conformist expectations of the time, celebrating women who are unconditionally kind and loving to their husbands (Creekmur). Charles says, “She saves her lovin’ just for me”, which seems to be praising the monogamous nature of their relationship, at least on her end. He even sprinkles in a line about her knowing her place is in the home, just for good

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