About The Song
"Woman Is the Nigger of the World" is a controversial and politically charged song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, released in 1972 as a single with the Plastic Ono Band. The song's title and lyrics directly address the systemic oppression and mistreatment of women, drawing attention to gender inequality and discrimination. The provocative title, which stirred controversy upon release, was intended to underscore the severity of the issues faced by women and to draw parallels between the struggles of women and racial minorities.
Lyrically, the song explores the theme of women's oppression and advocates for gender equality. The title itself is a bold and provocative statement, highlighting the marginalization and exploitation of women in various aspects of society. The lyrics draw attention to the societal expectations and limitations imposed on women, suggesting that they face systemic oppression similar to the historical mistreatment of racial minorities.
Musically, the song features a powerful and intense arrangement, incorporating rock and blues elements. The emotionally charged vocal delivery by Lennon and Ono contributes to the song's impact, emphasizing the urgency and gravity of the message. The use of a gospel choir in the background adds a layer of intensity to the composition, amplifying the emotional resonance of the lyrics.
Despite its provocative title and the controversial nature of its message, "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" serves as a testament to Lennon and Ono's commitment to using their platform for social and political activism. The song reflects the couple's dedication to addressing pressing issues of the time, including feminism and human rights. The controversy surrounding the title, however, resulted in limited radio airplay and some bans, hindering its commercial success.
In retrospect, the song stands as a bold and unapologetic critique of societal norms and an early example of a mainstream artist using their platform to address issues of gender inequality. While the use of the racial epithet in the title remains controversial, it underscores Lennon and Ono's intention to shock the public into confronting the harsh realities faced by women. "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" remains a significant and polarizing entry in Lennon's solo discography, reflecting the artist's willingness to engage with social issues through his music.
Video
Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
Woman is the nigger of the world
Yes she is, think about it
Woman is the nigger of the world
Think about it, do something about it
We make her paint her face and dance
If she won't be aslave, we say that she don't love us
If she's real, we say she's trying to be a man
While putting her down we pretend that she is above us
Woman is the nigger of the world, yes she is
If you don't believe me take a look to the one you're with
Woman is the slave to the slaves
Ah yeah, better scream about it
We make her bear and raise our children
And then we leave her flat for being a fat old mother hen
We tell her home is the only place she should be
Then we complain that she's too unworldly to be our friend
Woman is the nigger of the world, yes she is
If you don't believe me take a look to the one you're with
Oh woman is the slave to the slaves
Yeah, alright
We insult her everyday on TV
And wonder why she has no guts or confidence
When she's young we kill her will to be free
While telling her not to be so smart we put her down for being so dumb
Woman is the nigger of the world, yes she is
If you don't believe me take a look to the one you're with
Woman is the slave to the slaves
Yes she is, if you believe me, you better scream about it
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance
We make her paint her face and dance