VIDEO HOT TRACKS
She's Always A Woman - BILLY JOEL
"She's Always a Woman," from Billy Joel’s 1977 breakthrough album The Stranger, is a poignant, piano-driven ballad that celebrates the complexities and contradictions of a strong-willed woman with poetic lyricism and melodic grace. Written by Joel as a tribute to his then-wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, the song’s verses paint vivid portraits of her multifaceted nature—“She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes”—while the chorus affirms unwavering love.
Produced by Phil Ramone, its intimate arrangement, featuring Joel’s tender vocals and subtle orchestration, blends soft rock with a touch of jazz, distinguishing it from the album’s more upbeat tracks like "Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)." As a timeless ode to feminine enigma, the song has endured for its emotional honesty and Joel’s signature storytelling, influencing covers by artists like Fyfe Dangerfield and remaining a staple in romantic playlists.
On the Billboard charts, "She's Always a Woman" achieved solid success, peaking at Number 17 on the Hot 100 on October 14, 1978, and spending 14 weeks on the chart. It also reached Number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart, reflecting its appeal to a mature audience drawn to Joel’s balladry.
As the third single from The Stranger, which hit Number 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned multi-platinum status, the song contributed to Joel’s rising stardom, though it didn’t match the Number 1 peaks of later hits like "It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me." Recently certified 2x platinum in the U.S. for over two million units sold as of July 2025, its chart performance underscores its lasting resonance, outshining some contemporaries in the adult contemporary realm and cementing Joel’s reputation as a master of heartfelt pop.
Billy Joel’s performance of "She's Always a Woman" during his historic Live at Shea Stadium concerts on July 16 and 18, 2008, captured on the 2011 CD/DVD release, was a tender highlight amid the high-energy setlist. Positioned mid-show after "Goodnight Saigon," Joel delivered the ballad with his characteristic piano elegance and emotive vocals, the intimate lyrics resonating in the massive Queens venue before a sold-out crowd of over 55,000 per night.
Backed by his seasoned band, the rendition maintained the original’s delicate charm, with the high-definition production capturing the audience’s warm response and Joel’s playful interaction, making it a standout in a concert featuring guests like Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett.
The Live at Shea Stadium performance of "She's Always a Woman" exemplifies Joel’s ability to blend nostalgia with live spontaneity, its emotional depth enhanced by the venue’s historic demolition shortly after. Fan reviews praise the concert’s pristine audio and Joel’s vocal clarity, though some note signs of age in his delivery. Despite its Number 17 Hot 100 peak, "She's Always a Woman" endures as a cornerstone of Joel’s catalog, its Shea rendition is a poignant reminder of his storytelling prowess and connection with audiences across generations.