The third single from the sixth full-length studio album, "Secret Dreams And Forbidden Fire", by legendary British Rock singer.
After the success of "Faster Than The Speed Of Night" in 1983, Bonnie Tyler went on to work with Jim Steinman on a next album. "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" was released as the third single after the international success of first single "Holding Out For A Hero", which was originally released in 1984 from the soundtrack to the film "Footloose". It was written by Desmond Child and produced by Jim Steinman.
Upon its release, "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" debuted at number 42 in France, rising to number 6 two months later. It was certified Silver by the SNEP with sales of over 250,000 copies in France. Elsewhere in continental Europe, "If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man)" was a hit in Finland, Switzerland and West Germany, where it peaked at number 11, 16 and 36 respectively, the single stayed in the European Hot 100 Singles for 22 weeks. The song failed to significantly impact the UK singles chart, however, spending three weeks in the chart, peaking at number 78.
Across the Atlantic, the song peaked at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 87 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. "If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man)" has since been Tyler's last hit single in the United States.
Bonnie Tyler’s "If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man)" (1986) is the original version of what became Bon Jovi’s "You Give Love A Bad Name". Songwriter Desmond Child has since stated that the song was re-written as "You Give Love A Bad Name" with Bon Jovi after he was dissatisfied with the chart performance of "If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man)". Unsatisfied with the commercial success of the original, Child re-wrote the lyrics, recycled the chorus melody, and adjusted the style with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, turning Tyler’s gender-bending Synth Rock song into Bon Jovi’s Hard Rock #1 Hit.
Tyler’s version was successful in Europe (e.g., #6 in France) but only reached #77 in the USA. Bon Jovi’s version hit #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 29, 1986.
The song was later having an "interpolation" or similar melody to "Kings & Queens" by Ava Max in 2020.
Tyler re-recorded the song on her 2004 album, "Simply Believe".
CBS, 1986 (A 6867). Made in Holland. First press. Used.
Tracklist:
Side 1
If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man) 4:00
Side 2
Under Suspicion 4:20
Total playing time: 8:20 min.