What's a Woman?
1990 single by Vaya Con Dios
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"What's a Woman?" is a 1990 pop-rock song recorded by Belgian band Vaya Con Dios. It was the second single from band's second studio album, Night Owls (1990). It achieved success in many European countries, topping the chart in the Netherlands, and becoming a top-five hit for three weeks in France. To date, it is Vaya Con Dios' most successful song.
| "What's a Woman?" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Vaya Con Dios | ||||
| from the album Night Owls | ||||
| B-side | "Far Gone Now" | |||
| Released | 30 October 1990 | |||
| Recorded | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Pop soul, soul blues | |||
| Length | 3:56 | |||
| Label | Ariola | |||
| Songwriters | Dani Klein, Jean-Michel Gielen, Dirk Schoufs | |||
| Producers | Dani Klein, Dirk Schoufs | |||
| Vaya Con Dios singles chronology | ||||
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In 2006, the band re-recorded the song as a duet with Aaron Neville, available on its best-of The Ultimate Collection.[1] About this version by Neville, Dani Klein said in an interview : "We were discussing the whole project at Sony BMG and they asked me "Who would you like to do a duet with?" The first person that came into my mind was Aaron Neville, because I'd seen him a few months ago here in Brussels and I was just amazed at his voice! This man has a unique voice... his voice is incomparable. The song goes "What's a woman if a man doesn't treat her right?" And the fact that a man sings that gives it another dimension. I thought that was interesting."[2]
The song is featured in the Swedish movie Vingar av Glas (Wings of Glass), starring Alexander Skarsgård.
Critical reception
A review in pan-European magazine Music & Media elected "What's a Woman?" "Single of the week", stated that it "confirms that this duo are world class roots revivalists", adding that it "recalls late 60s Fax and Motown. A slow, blues rhythm, a big, fat brass sound and a vocal performance per excellence by Dani Klein add up to what should be one of the major hits of this summer".[3]
Track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "What's a Woman?".[4]
- 7" single
- "What's a Woman?" – 3:56
- "Far Gone Now" – 3:08
- CD maxi
- "What's A Woman?" – 3:56
- "Far Gone Now" – 3:08
- "I Sold My Soul" – 4:56
Credits
- Written by Dani Klein, Dirk Schoufs and Jean-Michel Gielen
- Arranged by Dirk Schoufs and Jean-Michel Gielen
- Artwork by Label & Labeat
- Photography by Roger Dijckmans
- Produced by Dani Klein and Dirk Schoufs
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[23] | Gold | 25,000* |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[24] | Gold | 75,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||