Peggy Lee wasn’t the primary to report Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “I’m A Woman,” however when she did, she owned it solely. A basic instance of the writing duo’s sensible and sassy narratives, its daring and liberated lyrics depicted a lady who might deal with herself, and of her man, on the similar time.
“I can rub and scrub ’til this old house is shinin’ like a dime, feed the baby, grease the car, and powder my face at the same time,” she sang. Then: “If you come to me hungry you know I’m gonna fill you full of grits, if it’s lovin’ you’re likin’, I’ll kiss you and give you the shiverin’ fits. ‘Cos I’m a woman, W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again!” Even listening from the gap of a Capitol Information 45, you’ll doubt her at your peril.
“I’m A Woman” was first launched in a horn-laden, brassy model in Might 1962 by soul-gospel artist Christine Kittrell. That studying, on Vee-Jay, loved native motion in Chicago however undeservedly missed out on nationwide chart honors, giving Lee and Capitol the chance for the vocal stylist to remake it in her alluring manner. The producer was “Big” Dave Cavanaugh, and the accompaniment by Benny Carter’s Orchestra.
In its December 1, 1962 situation, Money Field reviewed Lee’s launch admiringly, writing: “Performer delightfully represents the engaging semi-narrative blueser, which tells of a gal who’ll bet there’s nothing she can’t do, from being a housewife to painting the town red. May score with big deejay interest.” Later that month, Capitol’s commerce promoting was calling it “Another ‘Fever’!”
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The one entered the Billboard Sizzling 100 for January 5, 1963 at a promising No.75, second solely amongst that week’s debutants to the Rooftop Singers’ “Walk Right In.” However whereas that Vanguard launch went all the way in which to No.1, Lee climbed no greater than No.54. It was her first singles chart entry in any respect for greater than three and a half years, and highest peak since that signature “Fever” hit of 1958, however scant reward for a superb recording. By February 1963, the music turned the title observe of Lee’s new album, which additionally included variations of “Mack the Knife” and “A Taste of Honey.”
Later readings of “I’m A Woman” included one by Fontella Bass in 1966, forward of these by Maria Muldaur in 1974 and Reba McEntire in 1979. Muldaur had sung on the Jim Kweskin Jug Band’s model as lengthy earlier than as 1965. Bette Midler took it on in 2005, for the Barry Manilow-produced Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook. In 2020, the music was given a rocking remedy by feminine quartet WOMAN for Breast Most cancers Consciousness Month, with visitor guitar by Queen’s Brian Might.
In celebration of its sixtieth anniversary, Capitol Information and Common Music Enterprises (UMe), at the side of Peggy Lee Associates, launched a digitally expanded version of Peggy Lee’s I’m A Lady.
Purchase or stream I’m A Lady.
