Introduction
Willie Nelson’s “A Woman’s Love,” featured on his 2017 album God’s Problem Child, is a straightforward and tender meditation on the enduring strength and complexity of female affection. Co-written by Mike Reid and Sam Hunter, the song serves as a simple yet profound tribute to the kind of unconditional devotion that sustains men throughout their lives. Nelson’s performance is appropriately reverent, delivering the lyrics with the quiet wisdom of a man who has experienced a lifetime of human connection.
The core of the song lies in its recognition that “A woman’s love goes deeper than a man’s / Into a place only she understands.” This suggests a love that is mysterious, foundational, and far more powerful than male affection, being able to “keep the faith through the long dark night.” The song is not a narrative but a series of reflections that highlight this protective and unwavering quality.
Set to a mellow, classic country arrangement, complete with the smooth touch of Mickey Raphael’s harmonica, the tune is warm and comforting. Nelson’s aged voice brings an undeniable sincerity to the words, giving weight to the idea that a man’s ultimate happiness and stability lie in this profound connection. “A Woman’s Love” ultimately functions as a grateful acknowledgment from the oft-wayward “good timin’ man” that the depth of a woman’s heart is the very thing worth living for.