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What Every Woman Lives For

Rating:
3.0 / 5

Words & Music: Doc Pomus Mort Shuman

She may say she needs fancy bangles and beads
That's part of a woman's plan
But what every woman lives for
What every woman lives for
Is to give her love to a man

Wise men have known women can't live alone
So a woman should understand
That what every woman lives for
What every woman lives for
Is to give her love to a man

He may not be the kind you find in picture books
A real life hero with dashing handsome looks
He may not be the guy that you've been dreaming of
But that won't stop you from giving him your love

So dear, can't you see that it was meant to be
It's part, part of our destiny
'Cause what every woman lives for
What every woman lives for
Is to give her love to a man
And I hope that man is me

Recordingdate: 1965/05/13, first released on: Frankie and Johnny (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of What Every Woman Lives For:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(drums)
(piano)
(harmonica)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(trombone)
(trumpet)
(tuba)
(tuba)

Availability

Find available albums with What Every Woman Lives For.

Steve V wrote on March 31, 2009
Probably the most sexist lyrics ever written. From the great Pomus/Shuman team came this drab? Even they didnt care anymore at this point. Awful.
Rob Wanders wrote on November 08, 2009
yes, awful sexist lyrics; really drab.
derekd wrote on November 08, 2009
oh no, should never have been recorded. only remember one good song from the orginal Lp, that was 'Please don't stop living Me' as for the rest, I never play them.
old shep wrote on November 08, 2009
Rotten song,rotten film and a bloody awful soundtrack.
Aarons wrote on November 08, 2009
There not awful lyrics, a bit of sexist lyrics goes a long way. Relax there was no such thing as sexism. Either way not from one of my favorite movies.
dgirl wrote on November 08, 2009
Terrible like most of the LP. No such thing as sexism in those days? Hah! Try being a woman and getting ahead in the 60s'! By the way, for all of those against remixes, Elvis was infuriated with the final mixes of these soundtracks. Listen to how up front his voice is, while the rest of the band is miles away. So even though this is not how he heard the song in the studio, it was tamprerd with and came out bloody awful. He ranted about it but didnt seem to have much clout did he. Artistic control, what happened?
Deano1 wrote on November 08, 2009
A well sung, but mediocre ballad from the movie "Frankie And Johnny". The lyrics are a bit dated and may be perceived as sexist. That said, most women, as well as men, want to give their love to someone. The song, the movie and the soundtrack are not among Elvis' best, but they are enjoyable and innocuous.
NONE000000 wrote on November 08, 2009
A very bad song. A beautiful voice....but still a very bad song. It's not surprising they mixed it the way they did--with Elvis' voice way up front; his voice is the only thing this song has going for it!
JimmyCool wrote on November 08, 2009
I don't like this song, but I don't find the words to be sexist at all...
Jim Hoff wrote on November 08, 2009
Not exactly Pomus/Shumans brightest moment.
Gorse wrote on December 06, 2012
Add echo guys and you might find it a tad better. A nice inoffensive ballad that I don't find sexist but what do I know, I am just an unfeeling man. Nice little tune, not top notch, could have been better recorded, but by no means rubbish.
atomic powered poste wrote on March 24, 2018
With this song of the day list's I'll be reminded of how many mediocre and lousy songs (in this case it's sexist too) songs elvis recorded in his career, songs that i never listening to. Life is to short for stuff like this.
Cruiser621 wrote on June 10, 2018
Geez, from the "Frankie and Johnny" soundtrack? No wonder I didn't recognize this tune; a soundtrack so bad, I sold it! 1-star.
JerryNodak wrote on February 15, 2019
As a whole I like the soundtrack. Yes, I know I'm in the minority. But I've been part of a minority all mt life. Soundtrack: 3 stars. Song: 2 stars.
Gorse2 wrote on September 28, 2021
Revisiting this song again and just played it, and I stick by my previous comment. The lyrics perhaps should have perhaps been amended to quell the objections 'most' women instead of every woman, but it was a much less complicated age in the 1960's, and I don't remember using the term 'binary' other than in maths.
Milky White Way wrote on February 25, 2023
Not sexist but simplistic. Natures way is for man and woman to love and populate. This was the 60’s not the complicated 2020’s. It’s a pleasant song but not spectacular. Would be better if recorded better for sure. 2.5 stars
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