"The Woman in Me" by Donna Summer

Song#:  1288
Date:  12/18/1982
Debut:  78
Peak:  33
Weeks:  16
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Summer's third single from her second LP for Geffen did slightly better than the second single, "State of Independence" (#41). It would be the diva's 18th Top 40. The song also reached #17 at AC and #30 R&B. The rock band Heart would cover the song for their 1993 album "Desire Walks On." It was released as a single, but failed to hit the pop chart. However, it did reach #24 at AC.

ReduxReview:  Summer is not really known for her ballads so this sultry number was a nice change of pace and I think it fits her well. It takes a few listens to get into the song, which is not a good thing for pop radio, but it finally lured me in. Heart's version is comparable with Ann Wilson turning in a good vocal performance (as usual). I don't think you could go wrong with either version.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  For Summer's album, David Geffen contacted Bruce Springsteen's manager, Jon Landau, to ask if Springsteen would write a song for Summer. Springsteen obliged and wrote the song "Cover Me." However, Landau thought that Springsteen should keep that one for himself and asked for another. Springsteen came up with "Protection" and recorded a version of it with the E-Street Band. Summer chose to record the song and did so with the help of Springsteen who played the guitar solo and provided backing vocals. Initially, the song was to be a duet between Summer and Springsteen and it was apparently recorded. However, the duet didn't seem to work and it became a solo song for Summer. It was issued as the fourth single from her"Donna Summer" album, but it did not chart. Springsteen's recorded version was considered for his "Born in the U.S.A." album, but got shelved. It remains unreleased although leaked bootlegs have found their way to YouTube.

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