About the song
Background
- Released in 1984, “Treat Her Like A Lady” by The Temptations was the lead single from their album “Truly for You.”
- It marked a bit of a comeback for the group, being their most successful single since the mid-70s.
- The song was significant for a few reasons:
- It was the first single featuring lead vocals by Ali-Ollie Woodson, a new member who also co-wrote the song with Otis Williams.
- It was produced by former Earth, Wind & Fire members Al McKay and Ralph Johnson, bringing a fresh sound to The Temptations.
- “Treat Her Like A Lady” did well on the R&B charts, reaching number 2, but didn’t quite crack the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it found surprising popularity in the UK, reaching number 12 on the charts.
Themes
The song is a celebration of chivalry and respect towards women. The lyrics outline qualities like kindness, understanding, and protectiveness as essential in treating someone like a lady.
Here’s a breakdown of some key themes:
- Respectful Romance: The song promotes a kind and respectful approach to relationships. It emphasizes treating a woman with care and consideration.
- Chivalry: The lyrics reference old-fashioned courtesies like opening doors and offering a coat, showcasing a classic form of chivalry.
- Womanhood: The song uplifts and celebrates women, highlighting their value and deserving respectful treatment.
While some might see the song’s view of gender roles a bit dated, “Treat Her Like A Lady” remains a popular choice for weddings and celebrations due to its positive message about love and respect.
Video
Lyrics
Treat her like a ladyHey, hey, heyInstrumentalOoh-ooh-oh-ooh-oh-oohOoh-ooh-oh-oohOoh, yeah, babyWhoa-whoa-oh-ohMmm
Now I-m the kinda guy who don’t believeThat chivalry is dead, no‘Cause I believe a woman should be treatedWith the utmost respect, mmm-hmm-
Don’t be afraid, don’t turn and walk awayI wanna get to know ya, wellDon’t be ashamed, don’t say that love’s to blameJust come and look me over
You’ll find a heart that you’ve always been lookin’ forHow could anybody ask for much more, woo-hoo-
Now I like openin’ doorsPickin’ up (Yeah) her hanky (Yeah) off the floorTreat her like a ladyLight her cigarette if she smokesEven (Help her with her coat) wellTreat her like a lady
In this world of liberationIt’s so easy to forget, mmm-That it’s so nice to have a man aroundTo lend a helping hand, you can bet, bet you can, baby
When I was young, my mama used to say, boyA woman’s like a flower, with love on her you showerEver since that day, her words never went awayI always will remember to treat my baby tender
You’ll find a heart that you’ve always been lookin’ forHow could anybody ask for much more, whoa-ooh-ooh-
Now I like openin’ doorsPickin’ up (Yeah) her hanky off the floorTreat her like a ladyLight her cigarette if she smokesEven help her with her coatTreat her like a ladyCompliment her on her hairEven help her with her chairTreat her like a ladyShe’s a bad son-of-a-gunI’m her lovin’ Don JuanTreat her like a lady
Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-ooh-Whoa-oh-oh-Hey-hey-Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-babyEvery day, ever wayHey, heyHey, hey, hey, hey, hey
You’ll find a heart that you’ve always been lookin’ forHow could anybody ask for much more, whoa-whoa-oh-ooh-
Now I like openin’ doorsPickin’ up her hanky off the floorTreat her like a ladyLight her cigarette if she smokesEven help her with her coat, help her outTreat her like a lady
Compliment her on her hairEven help her with her chairTreat her like a ladyNow boy, you should rememberTo be a gentleman
Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)Treat her like, treat her like (Hey-ey-)Treat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)
Treat her like (Well), treat her likeTreat her like a lady (Treat her like a lady)Treat her like, treat her like (Ooh-hoo-)Treat her like a lady (Hoo-hoo-oh, my, my, treat her like a lady)