She’s Always a Woman To Me - BillyJoel

Miss Understood? 

I have had several boyfriends, who independently said that the same song always reminds them of me. It's very interesting, if slightly disturbing, to read something that reflects how you come across. I hope to show it to the man I end up with and see if he sees the tough/ cold/ feisty woman described here.

She’s Always a Woman To Me

Billy Joel

She can kill with a smile

She can wound with her eyes

She can ruin your faith with her casual lies

And she only reveals what she wants you to see

She hides like a child,

But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love

She can take you or leave you

She can ask for the truth

But she'll never believe you

And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free

Yeah, she steals like a thief

But she's always a woman to me

CHORUS:

Oh--she takes care of herself

She can wait if she wants

She's ahead of her time

Oh--and she never gives out

And she never gives in

She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more

Than the Garden of Eden

Then she'll carelessly cut you

And laugh while you're bleeding

But she'll bring out the best

And the worst you can be

Blame it all on yourself

Cause she's always a woman to me

She is frequently kind

And she's suddenly cruel

She can do as she pleases

She's nobody's fool

And she can't be convicted

She's earned her degree

And the most she will do

Is throw shadows at you

But she's always a woman to me

My talented best friend

I am very proud of my bestest mate from school (Durham Sixth Form Centre), Helen Austin. Helen spent 20 years performing as a successful musical stand-up comedian, regularly headlining the Comedy Store in London.

Though it was disconcerting when the start of her comedy set began with "my best friend..." Also something naughty I told her ended up in her book "Women Behaving Badly".

She and her lovely family selfishly moved to Canada in 2002, where she has established herself as a successful singer/ song writer.I genuinely love listening to her music and religiously listen to her song of the week.

Lyrics that remind me of Mum

I had a complicated relationship with my mother, it was full of conflict and love. We lost her to cancer in April 2007. She was an extrordinary woman and has left a big gap in our lives.

When I heard this poignant song by Christina Aguilera...I couldn't believe how near to the bone the lyrics were.


I have picked out the lines that really hit home.

Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face...
...If only I knew what I know today, ooh, ooh

I would hold you in my arms; I would take the pain away
Thank you for all you've done, forgive all your mistakes
There's nothing I wouldn't do to hear your voice again
Sometimes I wanna call you but I know you won't be there
I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you
Some days I feel broke inside but I won't admit
Sometimes I just wanna hide 'cause it's you I miss
And it's so hard to say goodbye when it comes to this, ooh
Would you tell me I was wrong? Would you help me understand?
Are you looking down upon me? Are you proud of who I am?
There's nothing I wouldn't do to have just one more chance
To look into your eyes and see you looking back
Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself, oh

If I had just one more day
I would tell you how much that I've missed you
Since you've been away

Review of Evita the musical

I have just been to see Evita at the Wycombe Swan.

I love the music as well as the film with Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Banderas gave a very powerful performance as Che. Madonna was excellent too, even demonstrated some threads of good acting!


So back to the musical Evita... Rachael Wooding as Evita was superb. The transformation as a silly young girl, to ambitious actress, to powerful and charismatic leader was beautifully portrayed in her body language and voice. However, the show was stolen by Carly Bawden, playing Peron's jilted mistress singing "Another Suitcase". She received the loudest applause of the evening.


I also love these lyrics from the song:


Time and time again I've said that I don't care
That I'm immune to gloom, that I'm hard through and through...
...Call in three months time and I'll be fine, I know
Well maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow


My only - minor - criticism was Seamus Cullen as the narrator, Che. He did create a rapport with the audience and has an impressive voice, but he just came across as an actor in a khaki costume! I could see him as a good Joseph but he just didn't have that kind of charisma required for this role. I imagined being the Director and yelling "butch it up, you are a revered and reviled revolutionary leader". Also, I was looking forward to seeing how the tango between Che and Evita would be done, as in the film it was charged with the steaming sexuality of Madonna and Banderas. The actual "waltz" in this musical was about four pathetic steps and as sexy as two virginal teenagers being forced to dance at a wedding infront of their parents.


Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed it.