Billy Joel has spoken about how his 1977 ballad "She's Always A Woman", from the album *The Stranger*, was widely misread as sexist or degrading towards women, despite being written as a tender tribute. He explained that the song was actually intended to highlight a double standard: an assertive woman is labelled a "bitch" while an equally assertive man is called "ballsy", and the lyric was meant to celebrate his then-wife Elizabeth as his equal.

Joel, who has long faced criticism for lyrics some considered sentimental or occasionally misogynistic, pushed back specifically on this track, insisting critics missed the point of the song entirely. Alongside its contested lyrics, the song is also notable for its musical craftsmanship, particularly Joel's use of key changes, and remains one of the standout tracks on his acclaimed 1977 album *The Stranger*.