Woman

"Woman" by Doja Cat is a multifaceted anthem celebrating divine femininity and female empowerment. At its core, the song is an ode to the various roles women inhabit in society, from nurturing mothers and sensual lovers to powerful leaders and supportive friends. The lyrics explore the concept of the 'divine feminine,' a spiritual idea that connects womanhood to the sacred and life-giving forces of the universe. Doja Cat presents womanhood not as a single, monolithic identity, but as a spectrum of possibilities, encompassing strength, grace, sensuality, and leadership.

The song addresses a male partner directly, outlining what a woman can offer—creation, family, and a profound, soulful connection—while demanding protection and worship in return. However, it quickly broadens its scope to a wider social commentary. Doja Cat pushes back against patriarchal views that underestimate women and highlights the societal pressure on women to constantly prove their worth. A pivotal theme is the rejection of competition between women, a dynamic she suggests is often encouraged by men. The reference to "Regina on Mean Girls" serves as a metaphor for the toxic ways women are pitted against each other, with Doja Cat advocating for unity and mutual support instead. By name-dropping successful CEO Rihanna, she reinforces the message that women can achieve greatness in any field. Ultimately, "Woman" is a declaration of self-worth and an assertion of the indispensable and powerful role of women in every aspect of life, from the personal to the cosmic.

The song opens with a direct and confident address, an invitation to be seen and accepted in the fullness of what it means to be a 'woman.' The narrator positions herself as a powerful, life-giving force, capable of nurturing and creating a family from a single seed. She speaks of providing a deep, often unappreciated love and challenges her partner to reciprocate this profound connection. There's a celebration of her physical form, describing her hips and waist as objects of worship, embodying a grace that is inherently feminine and powerful. Her touch, she suggests, is not just physical but soulful, capable of deeply moving her partner.

As the narrative progresses, it expands beyond a personal relationship to a broader declaration of female capability and defiance against societal constraints. The narrator proclaims she is more than just a 'lady'; she is a multifaceted 'woman.' She acknowledges the societal tendency to create drama and discord, but she rises above it, asserting her role as a creator of life and stability. She confronts the patriarchal notion that women lack 'common sense' and feels the need to constantly prove her competence. A key theme emerges: the idea that divinity itself is incomplete without the feminine principle, that there can be no 'god' without a 'goddess.' This isn't just a boast; it's presented as an honest, fundamental truth.

The song then catalogues the diverse roles a woman can embody. She can be a leader of nations, a CEO—referencing Rihanna (Robyn Fenty) as a real-world example of female success—or she can use her feminine charm to her advantage. A significant portion is dedicated to female solidarity. The narrator speaks directly to her 'team girl,' urging her to recognize her worth and not be deceived by those who want to pit successful women against each other, referencing the toxic dynamics from the movie 'Mean Girls.' The song culminates in a powerful chant-like affirmation of the various facets of womanhood: 'Princess or queen, tomboy or king.' It invokes spiritual figures like Mother Earth and Mother Mary, tying womanhood to a sacred and divine power. It's a declaration that being feminine, in all its forms, is a source of ultimate strength and the key to reaching the top.

"Woman" is a track from Doja Cat's third studio album, Planet Her, released in 2021. The song was recorded in 2020 at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles, California. The writing credits are extensive, reflecting a collaborative creative process. The songwriters include Doja Cat (Amala Zandile Dlamini), Jidenna Mobisson (who also provides background vocals), Lydia Asrat, David Sprecher (Yeti Beats), Linden Jay, Aaron Horn (of Sam and the Womp), and Ainsley Jones. The production was handled by a team consisting of Yeti Beats, Linden Jay, Aynzli Jones, and Crate Classics.

Aaron Horn revealed that the initial sessions at Sarm Studios involved him, Linden Jay, Yeti Beats, and Ainsley Jones creating beats for Doja. The core of the chorus hook began with a simple chant of 'uma-way' which then evolved into the word 'Woman'. From that single word, Doja Cat wrote all the verses, crafting the entire narrative and powerful lyrical journey. The song was conceived as the opening track for Planet Her, designed to set the tone for the album's theme of celebrating the divine feminine and the majesty of womanhood. Though it became an anthem of empowerment, Doja Cat stated she didn't set out to make a grand political statement, but was pleased if listeners felt empowered by it.

The song was released as the album's fourth single on October 1, 2021, after gaining significant popularity in Europe. It became a sleeper hit, gradually climbing the charts and reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 nearly a year after the album's debut.

"Woman" is defined by its infectious rhythm and a dynamic interplay between its lyrical and musical structure.

Rhythm:

The song's rhythmic core is derived from Afrobeats, a genre known for its distinctive and danceable percussion. The foundation is a steady four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, which provides a constant pulse. Layered on top are complex, syncopated percussive elements, including rim knocks, bongos, and congas. This creates a high-energy, hypnotic groove that is central to the song's appeal. The tempo is upbeat and driving, encouraging movement. Doja Cat's vocal delivery works in concert with this rhythm; her rap verses are rhythmically dense and agile, while her sung choruses are smoother, creating a dynamic contrast that keeps the track engaging.

Rhyme Scheme:

Doja Cat employs a varied and often intricate rhyme scheme throughout the verses. She frequently uses multi-syllabic rhymes and internal rhymes to showcase her lyrical dexterity. For example, in the second verse, she rhymes "diorama" with "drama" and links "opposite" with "common sense" and "on top of shit." This creates a sophisticated and satisfying flow. The chorus, in contrast, relies on the sheer power of repetition rather than a complex rhyme scheme. The repeated word "Woman," functions as the central hook, making the song's core message clear and memorable. The verses exhibit a more free-form structure, closer to free verse, allowing Doja to prioritize narrative and flow over a rigid, predictable rhyme pattern.

"Woman" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to create its infectious and empowering effect.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track is a masterful blend of Afrobeats, Pop, and R&B, with hints of reggae. This fusion creates a vibrant, high-energy, and globally appealing sound.
• Rhythmic Complexity: The song is built on a driving Afrobeats rhythm, characterized by a four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern and tight, percussive sounds like rimshots, bongos, and congas rather than heavy snares. This rhythmic foundation makes the track incredibly danceable and hypnotic.
• Vocal Delivery: Doja Cat showcases her versatility by seamlessly shifting between a smooth, soulful singing voice in the chorus and quick-witted, rhythmic rap verses. Critics have compared her vocal delivery to Rihanna and her rap flow to Kendrick Lamar, highlighting her technical skill.
• Instrumentation: The production contrasts the driving percussion with jazz-influenced keyboards, creating a contemporary R&B arrangement that is both groovy and sophisticated.

Literary Techniques:

• Direct Address: The song often uses a direct address ("Hey, woman," "come here, papa") which creates an intimate and confrontational tone, drawing the listener directly into the song's narrative.
• Allusion: Doja Cat makes several cultural allusions, most notably to the film Mean Girls and to business mogul Rihanna ("just a like a Robyn Fenty"). These references anchor the song's themes in contemporary culture, making them more relatable and impactful.
• Repetition: The simple, repetitive chant of the word "Woman" in the chorus acts as a powerful, memorable hook. Its constant repetition reinforces the song's central theme, turning the word into an empowering affirmation.
• Juxtaposition: The lyrics juxtapose various roles a woman can play, such as "Princess or queen, tomboy or king," challenging traditional gender roles and celebrating the fluidity of female identity.

"Woman" has had a significant cultural impact since its release, solidifying Doja Cat's status as a major force in pop music. The song was a global commercial success, particularly in Europe where it gained early traction before becoming a sleeper hit in the US. It spent several months on the charts, eventually peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart. This sustained popularity demonstrated the song's widespread appeal.

The track's Afrobeats-infused sound was praised and contributed to the continued mainstreaming of the genre in Western pop music. Lyrically, it became an anthem for female empowerment and the celebration of the "divine feminine," resonating with listeners and contributing to contemporary feminist discourse.

The music video, directed by Child, was also highly influential. Its cinematic quality and rich symbolism, drawing from African mythology and the film Dune, were widely discussed. Most notably, the video became the first-ever codable music video through a partnership with the organization Girls Who Code. This innovative project, called "DojaCode," allowed fans to alter the video using basic programming languages like JavaScript and Python, promoting tech literacy among her young fanbase. The video's choreography also received acclaim, winning Best Choreography at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. The song's popularity on platforms like TikTok further cemented its place in contemporary culture.

"Woman" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that elevate its message about femininity and power.

• Divine and Mythological Figures: The lyrics reference "Mother Earth, Mother Mary," connecting womanhood to both primordial, life-giving forces and revered spiritual figures. This elevates the concept of the feminine to a divine status. The music video expands on this, with Doja Cat portraying various African goddesses, such as Oshun (goddess of beauty) and Oya (warrior goddess of the wind), symbolizing the different facets of female power—beauty, strength, and protection.
• The Womb and The Seed: The lines "come here, papa, plant your seed / She can grow it from her womb, a family" are a direct and powerful metaphor for female procreative power. The womb symbolizes a woman's ability to create, nurture, and manifest life, a central tenet of the divine feminine principle.
• Regina George / Mean Girls: The reference "they wanna see us end up like we Regina on Mean Girls" is a potent cultural metaphor. It symbolizes the toxic societal narrative that fosters competition and Schadenfreude among successful women, a trap that Doja Cat warns against, advocating for solidarity instead.
• The Elements in the Music Video: The visuals for "Woman" use the four alchemical elements—fire, air, water, and earth—to represent the complete and multi-dimensional nature of the feminine principle. For example, Doja Cat is shown as a tree of life (Earth) and a goddess of the air, illustrating that the feminine embodies all aspects of existence.
• Hips and Waist: The lyric "worship my hips and waist" uses these body parts as symbols of feminine sensuality and life-bearing potential. The focus on the hips is a recurring symbol for the womb and a woman's power to manifest life.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song "Woman," reinforcing its central themes and enhancing its memorability.

• The word "Woman": This is the most significant recurring motif. Chanted repeatedly in the chorus ("Woman, woman, woman"), it acts as a powerful, declarative hook. Its repetition strips the word of any simple definition and transforms it into an all-encompassing anthem of female identity. It's not just a title but an invocation of power, sensuality, and divinity.
• "Let me be your woman" / "I can be your woman": This recurring phrase, which frames the chorus, operates on two levels. On a personal level, it's an offer of partnership and intimacy. On a broader level, it's a declaration of capability, suggesting that a "woman" is what is needed to complete, elevate, or save a situation. It's both an invitation and a statement of inherent value.
• The concept of the Divine Feminine: This is a recurring thematic motif throughout the song. It appears explicitly in the line "Divine feminine, I'm feminine" and is reinforced through allusions to "Mother Earth, Mother Mary" and the life-giving power of the womb. This motif elevates the song from a simple pop track to a spiritual celebration of womanhood.
• Juxtaposition of Roles: The motif of a woman's multifaceted nature recurs in lyrics like "Princess or queen, tomboy or king" and in the listing of potential roles like "leader" and "CEO." This recurring idea challenges one-dimensional stereotypes and celebrates the versatility and adaptability of women.