About the song
“You Ain’t Woman Enough” is the seventh solo studio album by the renowned American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. Released on September 12, 1966, by Decca Records, this album marked a significant milestone in Lynn’s illustrious career. It became her first album to reach the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard Hot Country Albums chart and also made its way onto the Billboard Top LPs chart, highlighting Lynn’s growing influence in the music industry.
The album showcases Lynn’s songwriting prowess, featuring five compositions penned by her, one of which was co-written with other songwriters. In addition to her original work, Lynn included cover versions of popular hits by other artists, such as Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” and Dolly Parton’s “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.” This blend of original songs and covers illustrates Lynn’s versatility and ability to reinterpret contemporary hits with her unique country flair.
Upon its release, “You Ain’t Woman Enough” received widespread acclaim. Cashbox magazine, in its September 24, 1966, issue, praised the album, noting the recent success of its title track on the Country charts and predicting robust sales in the expanding country music market. The review highlighted standout tracks such as “God Gave Me a Heart to Forgive” and Lynn’s rendition of “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” suggesting that the album would quickly become a commercial success.
AllMusic also lauded the album, particularly Lynn’s rendition of the Wilburn Brothers’ hit “It’s Another World,” which was described as an “excellent version” of the song. The album’s commercial performance matched its critical reception, debuting at No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot Country Albums chart on October 8, 1966. It swiftly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 1 on November 12, making it Lynn’s first album to top the chart. Additionally, “You Ain’t Woman Enough” was Lynn’s first album to appear on the US Billboard Top LPs chart, where it reached No. 140 on March 25, 1967.
The album’s impact was further solidified by the success of its title single, “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” which was released in May 1966. This single became Lynn’s biggest hit at the time, peaking at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Another notable track from the album, “A Man I Hardly Know,” also found chart success in 1967, reaching No. 72 when it was released as the B-side of “If You’re Not Gone Too Long” from Lynn’s 1967 album “Singin’ with Feelin’.”
In summary, “You Ain’t Woman Enough” is a landmark album in Loretta Lynn’s career, demonstrating her talent as both a songwriter and a performer. Its critical and commercial success solidified her position as a leading figure in country music and paved the way for future achievements.
Video
Lyrics
You’ve come to tell me somethin’
You say I ought to know
That he don’t love me any more
And I’ll have to let him go
You say you’re gonna take him
Oh, but I don’t think you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Women like you, they’re a dime a dozen
You can buy ’em anywhere
For you to get to him I’d have to move over
And I’m gonna stand right here
It’ll be over my dead body
So, get out while you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Aw, pick it out there, Dave
Sometimes a man’s caught lookin’
At things that he don’t need
He took a second look at you
But he’s in love with me
Well, I don’t know where that leaves you
Ah, but I know where I stand
And you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
Women like you they’re a dime a dozen
You can buy ’em anywhere
For you to get to him I’d have to move over
And I’m gonna stand right here
It’ll be over my dead body
So, get out while you can
‘Cause you ain’t woman enough
To take my man
No, you ain’t woman enough
To take my man