Billy Joel was sitting in a recording studio in 1977, likely stressed, definitely inspired, and deeply in love with a woman who terrified his business managers. That’s the core of it. We’ve all heard the song. It’s a wedding staple. It’s the track that comes on the radio when you’re feeling a mix of melancholy and weirdly defensive of your own flaws. But She's Always a Woman isn't actually a soft, gooey ballad about a perfect partner.
It’s a battle cry.
Most people hear the lilting piano and think, "Oh, how sweet." They miss the teeth. When Billy sings about someone who can "kill with a smile" or "wound with her eyes," he isn't being poetic for the sake of a rhyme. He’s describing Elizabeth Weber. She was his first wife, his manager, and the woman who navigated the shark-infested waters of the 1970s music industry with a ruthlessness that made men uncomfortable.
People hated her for it.
The industry types called her "unfeminine" because she was tough in negotiations. Joel saw that double standard and wrote a masterpiece about it. He was basically telling the world that she can be a "child" or a "thief," she can be inconsistent and cruel, but to him, she’s a complete human being. She’s a woman.
The Real Story Behind the Lyrics
Let’s get into the weeds of Elizabeth Weber. Before she was Billy's wife, she was married to his former bandmate, Jon Small. It was a messy, complicated beginning. By the time The Stranger was being recorded, Elizabeth had taken over the business side of Joel's career. This was an era where artists were routinely ripped off by labels and managers. Elizabeth wasn't having it.
She was sharp. She was blunt. She was "manly" in her business dealings, at least according to the fragile egos of the time.
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When you listen to the line "She can lead you along, she can take you or leave you," Joel is acknowledging her power. He isn’t complaining. He’s obsessed with it. Honestly, it’s one of the most feminist songs ever written by a guy who probably didn't realize he was writing a feminist anthem. He was just defending his wife against the "bitch" label that followed her through every boardroom.
Why the melody tricks you
The song is a waltz. It’s in 6/8 time, which gives it that swaying, lullaby feel. This is the ultimate musical misdirection. If the lyrics were set to a harsh rock beat, you’d realize it’s a song about someone who is kind of a nightmare to deal with if you’re on her bad side. But because it’s so pretty, it gets played at anniversaries.
It’s hilarious, really.
Think about the phrase "She’s frequently kind and she’s suddenly cruel." That is a wild thing to say about your spouse in a hit single. Most songwriters would sugarcoat that. They’d say "She’s sometimes sad" or "She has her moments." Joel goes straight for "cruel." He loves the edges. He loves the fact that she doesn't give a damn about your expectations.
Impact on The Stranger and 1970s Pop
The Stranger was the album that made Billy Joel a superstar. Produced by Phil Ramone, it had a specific New York grit hidden under a polished pop sheen. She's Always a Woman acted as the emotional anchor of the B-side. It provided a counterweight to the upbeat energy of "Only the Good Die Young" and the epic storytelling of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
Critics at the time were sometimes baffled by his lyrics. They didn't always get the "angry young man" vibe he was cultivating. But the public? They ate it up. The song peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its longevity has far outlasted its initial chart position.
The Fyfe Dangerfield Cover and the 2010s Resurgence
Fast forward a few decades. In 2010, Fyfe Dangerfield (from the band Guillemots) covered the song for a John Lewis Christmas advert in the UK. Suddenly, a whole new generation was crying into their tea. This version stripped away the piano and made it even more of a fragile folk ballad.
It worked.
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The song shot back into the charts. It proved that the core sentiment—loving someone for their jagged parts, not in spite of them—is universal. Whether it’s 1977 or 2026, people still resonate with the idea that someone can be "the best and the worst."
Misconceptions: Is it a sexist song?
There’s been some modern chatter about whether the song is actually a bit patronizing. Some listeners point to lines like "She’s like a child" as being condescending.
I think that misses the point entirely.
Context is everything. In the 70s, "womanhood" was often defined by being demure, supportive, and quiet. By saying "She's always a woman" after listing a bunch of traits that were considered "unwomanly" at the time (being a thief, being cruel, being a negotiator), Joel was actually expanding the definition. He was saying: "All these tough, messy, difficult things? Yeah, that’s what a woman is. Deal with it."
It’s not a song about a man looking down on a woman. It’s a song about a man looking up at a woman who is far more complex than the world wants her to be.
The Breakdown of the Relationship
Sadly, the "real" story doesn't have a fairy-tale ending. Billy and Elizabeth divorced in 1982. The business relationship—the very thing he was defending in the song—eventually put too much strain on the marriage. There were rumors of financial disputes and the classic "don't work with your spouse" pitfalls.
Elizabeth famously asked if she had "half the publishing rights" to the song after he played it for her the first time.
That’s cold. But also? Totally on brand for the woman described in the lyrics.
After the divorce, Joel stopped playing the song for a long time. It was too painful. It was too tied to a specific person who was no longer in his life. He eventually brought it back into his setlists, likely realizing that the song had moved beyond his personal biography and become part of the collective human experience.
Why it works for everyone now
We live in an age of curated personas. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn—everyone is trying to be "frequently kind" and never "suddenly cruel." She's Always a Woman is the antidote to that. It’s a song for people who are a bit of a mess but are still worthy of a love that sees every flaw and doesn't try to fix them.
It’s about the person who forgets your birthday but stands up for you in a fight. The person who is impossible to live with but impossible to live without.
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Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of this track, don't just put it on a "Chilled Vibes" playlist. Do these things instead:
- Listen to the original 1977 vinyl master. The dynamic range on the piano is way better than the squashed digital versions you find on some streaming services. You can hear the actual "touch" Joel has on the keys.
- Compare it to "Just the Way You Are." Both songs are from the same album and written for the same woman. One is about unconditional acceptance; the other is about the gritty reality of a personality. It’s a fascinating look at a relationship from two different angles.
- Read the lyrics without the music. Seriously. Print them out. It reads like a character study from a novel. Pay attention to the verbs. "Promises," "hides," "takes," "leaves." It’s an active song, not a passive one.
- Watch the 1977 live footage. Billy Joel was a high-energy performer, but when he sat down for this one, the room changed. You can see the intensity in his face. It wasn't just another hit; it was a personal testament.
- Check out the 2010 Fyfe Dangerfield version. If you think the song is too "soft," this version might change your mind. It highlights the vulnerability in a way the original (which is a bit more defiant) doesn't.
Billy Joel’s She's Always a Woman remains a staple because it refuses to simplify love. It acknowledges that the person you love might be "the most you've ever known" while also being someone who can "ruin your faith with her casual lies." It’s honest. In a world of fake, that’s why it still matters.