"If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" | ||||
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Single by Bonnie Tyler | ||||
from the album Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire | ||||
B-side | "Under Suspicion" | |||
Released | May 1986 | |||
Format |
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Recorded | 1986 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:15 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Desmond Child | |||
Producer(s) | Jim Steinman | |||
Bonnie Tyler singles chronology | ||||
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"If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" is a song recorded by Bonnie Tyler for her 1986 rock album Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire. It was written by Desmond Child and produced by Jim Steinman. Child has since stated that the song was re-written as "You Give Love a Bad Name" for Bon Jovi after he was dissatisfied with "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)"'s chart success. Tyler re-recorded the song on her 2004 album Simply Believe.
The song was successful in Europe, reaching number 6 in France and sold over 200,000 copies. The song also reached number 77 on the US Hot 100, and has since been Tyler's last hit single in the country.
After the success of Faster Than the Speed of Night in 1983, Tyler went on to work with Jim Steinman on a second album. "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" was released as the third single from Tyler's 1986 album Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire after the international success of first single "Holding Out for a Hero", which was originally released in 1985 from the soundtrack to the film Footloose. Steinman recruited Desmond Child for two tracks (the other being "Lovers Again"). Steinman told Child that he wanted a song about androgyny. "I want a special song. The verses have to sound like Tina Turner, the B Section has to sound like The Police, U2, or Hall & Oates, and the chorus has to sound like Bruce Springsteen," he continued.