About the Song
“Hard Headed Woman” stands as a cornerstone in the realm of rock and roll, immortalized through Elvis Presley’s rendition and published by Gladys Music, Presley’s dedicated publishing entity, back in 1958. Originating from the creative genius of African American songwriter Claude Demetrius, this American 12-bar blues found its prominent place as a rock and roll anthem in Presley’s 1958 motion picture, King Creole. The song, a vibrant inclusion in the eponymous record album, was not only released as a single in both 78 RPM and 45 RPM formats but also ascended to the coveted No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts in 1958. Simultaneously, it secured a remarkable No. 2 position for two consecutive weeks on the R&B chart, etching its name in the annals of music history. Notably, “Hard Headed Woman” holds the distinction of being the inaugural rock and roll single to achieve the prestigious RIAA designation of Gold Record.
This musical gem found its way into the hands of Wanda Jackson, gracing the album Live at Town Hall Party 1958. Released as a 45 rpm, the song enjoyed substantial airplay during the late 1950s. Jackson’s rendition, marked by an audacious utilization of vocal fry, introduces a captivating ambiguity, leaving the listener pondering over the singer’s gender.
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Lyrics
Well, a hard headed woman
A soft hearted man
Been the cause of trouble
Ever since the world began
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
Adam told Eve
“Listen here to me
Don’t you let me catch you
Messing ’round that apple tree”
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
Samson told Delilah
Loud and clear
“Keep your cotton picking fingers
Out my curly hair”
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
I heard about a king
Who was doing swell
‘Til he started playing
With that evil Jezebel
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
I got a woman
A head like a rock
If she ever went away
I’d cry around the clock
Oh yeah (oh yeah)
Ever since the world began
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man
A hard headed woman
Been a thorn in the side of man