About the song
Loretta Lynn, the iconic queen of country music, delivered a powerhouse anthem with the 1966 single “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).” This song, now considered one of her signature pieces, is a bold declaration of confidence and resilience in the face of romantic competition.
The song’s origins are as colorful as its message. In 2016, Lynn recounted meeting a fan backstage before a concert. The fan confided in her about another woman attempting to steal her husband. Lynn’s immediate response, a defiant “Honey, she ain’t woman enough to take your man!” sparked the creation of this now-legendary song. The frustration and unwavering spirit evident in that single sentence translated into the powerful lyrics we hear today.
Released in May 1966, the song was recorded at Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville. Produced by the renowned Owen Bradley, the session yielded not just “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” but also other gems like “Dear Uncle Sam.” The song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles survey in 1966. It became Lynn’s eighth top ten single and her biggest hit up to that point.
The impact of “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” transcended genre and generation. The Grateful Dead, with their iconic female vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux, covered the song in 1973. Southern soul artists like June Edwards, Gloria Edwards, and the legendary Tina Turner all delivered their own powerful renditions. The song even found its way into the pop culture sphere, with a comedic version by Dwayne Johnson for the 2005 film “Be Cool.”
More recently, Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, has incorporated the song into her live sets and even recorded it for the 2010 tribute album “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn.” This enduring popularity speaks volumes about the song’s ability to resonate with a wide audience.
In 2021, Lynn herself revisited the song, re-recording it as a duet with fellow country music powerhouse Tanya Tucker for her final studio album, “Still Woman Enough.” This act serves as a testament to the song’s timeless appeal and its place as a cornerstone of Lynn’s legacy.
“You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” is more than just a catchy country tune. It’s a declaration of female empowerment, a celebration of self-worth, and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful weapon is unwavering confidence.
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Lyrics
You’ve come to tell me somethin’
You say I ought to know
That he don’t love me any more
And I’ll have to let him go
You say you’re gonna take him
Oh, but I don’t think you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Women like you, they’re a dime a dozen
You can buy ’em anywhere
For you to get to him I’d have to move over
And I’m gonna stand right here
It’ll be over my dead body
So, get out while you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Aw, pick it out there, Dave
Sometimes a man’s caught lookin’
At things that he don’t need
He took a second look at you
But he’s in love with me
Well, I don’t know where that leaves you
Ah, but I know where I stand
And you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Women like you they’re a dime a dozen
You can buy ’em anywhere
For you to get to him I’d have to move over
And I’m gonna stand right here
It’ll be over my dead body
So, get out while you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
No, you ain’t woman enough
To take my man