Dolly Parton’s Inspiration Behind Her Song “Just Because I’m A Woman”

Women rights weren’t the same as it was in the past. Today, in certain countries, some women are treated as equal. We become more aware of who we are, what we are capable of, and our rights as human beings. But, the battle for equality is still ongoing.

Women’s voice in our society in the past was shadowed by men. It was a difficult situation for women back then. However, despite that women weren’t treated equally, this didn’t stop some to stand up for themselves.

Inspiration Behind “Just Because I’m A Woman”

Dolly Parton showed us how fierce she was when she wrote the song “Just Because I’m A Woman” in 1968. She shared to Mojo how she came up with her song. After eight months of marriage with her husband Carl, Dolly was confronted by her husband. He asked her if she had been with other men before him. Without hesitation, Dolly answered him the truth. This upset her husband, but Dolly didn’t feel guilty about it. She knew that she has committed mistakes, but that doesn’t mean she’s a bad person.

Despite the fact that society limits women’s rights at that time, Dolly didn’t let this stop her from voicing herself out. She stands up on what she believes to be the truth.

The Song’s Content

The narrator in the song stood up for herself. She defended herself from what she was accused of. The narrator pointed out to her lover that she makes mistakes, and so does he. She emphasizes that he is not different from her or anyone else.

Yes, I’ve made my mistakes

But listen and understand

My mistakes are no worse than yours

Just because I’m a woman

The Album and Song’s Chart Performance

“Just Because I’m A Woman” was the lead single on her same-titled album. The song reached number seventeen on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Meanwhile, her album scored the twenty-second position on the Billboard Album chart.

Dolly’s album was reissued in 1995 and 2003. In her 2003 album, she re-records her single “Just Because I’m A Woman.”