Just Like a Woman

"Just Like a Woman"
Single cover of "Just Like a Woman", a headshot of Bob Dylan looking into the camera
West German picture sleeve
Single by Bob Dylan
from the album Blonde on Blonde
B-side"Obviously 5 Believers"
ReleasedAugust 18, 1966 (1966-08-18)
RecordedMarch 8, 1966
StudioColumbia, Nashville
GenreCountry rock[1]
Length
  • 4:53 (album)
  • 2:56 (single)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Bob Dylan
Producer(s)Bob Johnston
Bob Dylan singles chronology
"I Want You"
(1966)
"Just Like a Woman"
(1966)
"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat"
(1967)
Audio
"Just Like a Woman" on YouTube

"Just Like a Woman" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan from his seventh studio album, Blonde on Blonde (1966). The song was written by Dylan and produced by Bob Johnston. Dylan allegedly wrote it on Thanksgiving Day in 1965, though some biographers doubt this, concluding that he most likely improvised the lyrics in the studio. Dylan recorded the song at Columbia Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee in March 1966. The song has been criticized for sexism or misogyny in its lyrics, and has received a mixed critical reaction. Some critics have suggested that the song was inspired by Edie Sedgwick, while other consider that it refers to Dylan's relationship with fellow folk singer Joan Baez. Retrospectively, the song has received renewed praise, and in 2011, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Dylan's version at number 232 in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. A shorter edit was released as a single in the United States during August 1966 and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached 8th place in the Australian charts, 12th place on the Belgium Ultratop Wallonia listing, 30th in the Dutch Top 40, and 38th on the RPM listing in Canada.

Though a relative success in the United States, Dylan's recording of "Just Like a Woman" was not issued as a single in the United Kingdom. However, British beat group Manfred Mann recorded a version of the song in June 1966, during their first recording session together with producer Shel Talmy. In July, it became Manfred Mann's first single to be released through Fontana Records. It was a hit in several European countries, reaching number 10 in the UK Singles Chart and number 1 in Sweden. The song received positive reviews from critics, several of whom highlighted Mike d'Abo's vocal performance.

  1. ^ "10 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs". Rolling Stone. August 29, 2019.