What's a Woman?

This article is about the song. For the documentary, see What Is a Woman?

"What's a Woman?" is a 1990 pop-rock song recorded by Belgian band Vaya Con Dios. It was the second single from band's second studio album, Night Owls (1990). It achieved success in many European countries, topping the chart in the Netherlands, and becoming a top-five hit for three weeks in France. To date, it is Vaya Con Dios' most successful song.

"What's a Woman?"
Single by Vaya Con Dios
from the album Night Owls
B-side	"Far Gone Now"
Released	30 October 1990
Recorded	1989
Genre	Pop soul, soul blues
Length	3:56
Label	Ariola
Songwriter(s)	Dani Klein, Jean-Michel Gielen, Dirk Schoufs
Producer(s)	Dani Klein, Dirk Schoufs
Vaya Con Dios singles chronology
"Nah neh nah" (1990) "What's a Woman?" (1990) "Night Owls" (1990)

In 2006, the band re-recorded the song as a duet with Aaron Neville, available on its best-of The Ultimate Collection.^[1] About this version by Neville, Dani Klein said in an interview : "We were discussing the whole project at Sony BMG and they asked me "Who would you like to do a duet with?" The first person that came into my mind was Aaron Neville, because I'd seen him a few months ago here in Brussels and I was just amazed at his voice! This man has a unique voice... his voice is incomparable. The song goes "What's a woman if a man doesn't treat her right?" And the fact that a man sings that gives it another dimension. I thought that was interesting."^[2]

The song is featured in the Swedish movie Vingar av Glas (Wings of Glass), starring Alexander Skarsgård.

Track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "What's a Woman?".^[3]

• 7" single

1. "What's a Woman?" – 3:56
2. "Far Gone Now" – 3:08

• CD maxi

1. "What's A Woman?" – 3:56
2. "Far Gone Now" – 3:08
3. "I Sold My Soul" – 4:56

Credits

• Written by Dani Klein, Dirk Schoufs and Jean-Michel Gielen
• Arranged by Dirk Schoufs and Jean-Michel Gielen
• Artwork by Label & Labeat
• Photography by Roger Dijckmans
• Produced by Dani Klein and Dirk Schoufs

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "What's a Woman?" Chart (1990) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] 28 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[7] 14 France (SNEP)[8] 5 Germany (GfK)[9] 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 6

Year-end charts 1990 year-end chart performance for "What's a Woman?" Chart (1990) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[13] 8 Belgium (Ultratop)[14] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 47 Germany (Media Control)[16] 55 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 7 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 7 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "What's a Woman?" Chart (1990–1999) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 32 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 23

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "What's a Woman?"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[22]	Gold	25,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[23]	Gold	75,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.