Tomorrow, March 8^th,  is International Women’s Day and completely coincidentally, yesterday I saw the biopic on Helen Reddy. Today’s song –  “I Am Woman” – was therefore cosmically inevitable! Very rarely does one create the icon for an entire movement, marking a spot in history forever. Helen wrote and sang the song that defined the nascent feminist movement in the early 70s and set out iconic lyrics become a part of the modern lexicon. This was the theme song for the UN’s International Women’s Year ! 

Helen Reddy had been a performer in Australia since she was four, and lived through two decades of men objectifying female performers, an industry rife with condescension and sexism. In early ‘71 just as the feminist movement was taking off, she was looking for a song that would help her express her feelings about all this.  One night, lying in bed seething with anger, the words “’I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman” just appeared in her head, as if by divine action. Next morning, she wrote out the lyrics to “I Am Woman” with this incredible chorus, and, her passion on fire, recorded it immediately. Neither Helen nor the label had much hope for the song though, and released it sandwiched at no.4 on the A-side on her debut album. However, women started calling radio stations all over the US asking for the song, and it began its slow but inexorable climb – taking over a year – to reach #1. Reddy won the Grammy for Best Female Singer that year for this song, and in her acceptance speech said, “I’d like to thank God, because SHE makes everything possible” Amen !! ???

“If I have to, I can do anything / I am strong / I am invincible /I am woman”

I first heard Helen Reddy on an LP that I borrowed from our next-door neighbours, a very dashing young Army Captain and his lovely young wife. They had brilliant records and the music would waft over the wall now and then – I remember borrowing this and Daliah Levy’s “Gypsies Tramps & Thieves” ?. Helen Reddy was on the radio a lot in Delhi too – “Angie Baby” was my favourite. On the surface it’s a nice enough melody and exactly what the 70s pop was all about. But the lyrics….oh wow…it’s a really weird, spooky song! This crazy girl who lives in her own world and has imprisoned the neighbour’s son in her radio so she can have a lover! Kooky – but spell binding. This song was a huge hit and went straight to #1 – not surprising given it’s weird tale. And Helen Reddy just sings the living daylights out of it:

“The headlines read that the boy disappeared, and everyone thinks he died  / Except a crazy girl with a secret lover who keeps her satisfied/  It’s so nice to be insane  / No one asks you to explain / Radio by your side / Angie Baby.”……..OOOOOOO!

Helen passed away in Sep 2020, leaving behind the song that is the music to a movement that is still WIP. Being a proud son, husband and father of three amazing, strong women all I can say is “Happy Woman’s Day” to Ma, Nidhi and Rukmini – and to all my wonderful female friends and colleagues!  You guys rock!!