"Her Strut"
Bob Seger's "Her Strut" is a rock ballad celebrating a woman's confident walk ("she walks like a river flows"). Inspired by feminist icon Jane Fonda, it toes the line between appreciation and objectification, leaving interpretation open. While some see it as sexist, others view it as a tribute to female power and allure.
- CATEGORY: All Time Favorite Music
- BAND: Bob Seger
- GENRE: Hard rock
- YEAR: 1980
Released in 1980 on "Against the Wind," Bob Seger's "Her Strut" isn't a straightforward love song. Instead, it paints a vivid picture of a woman with captivating confidence, leaving the narrator both attracted and a little intimidated.
The song opens with a bluesy guitar riff, setting the tone for a tale of admiration mixed with apprehension. The lyrics describe a woman whose "smile could cut like a diamond" and whose "strut could stop a parade." Seger masterfully evokes her physical presence, mentioning her "high heels" and "tight jeans," but it's her inner fire that truly draws him in.
He admires her independence, singing, "She don't need no permission, she don't need no key." This self-assuredness, however, also creates a distance. He wonders, "Can a man like me handle a woman like her?" The lyrics hint at a potential power struggle, with lines like, "She's got the upper hand, she knows it too."
Despite the underlying tension, the song remains firmly in the realm of admiration. Seger acknowledges his own shortcomings, singing, "I ain't no jet setter, I ain't no movie star," but still finds himself captivated. The final line, "She walks on by, and I just stand there," leaves the listener wondering: will he pursue her, or will he remain a bystander, forever admiring from afar?
"Her Strut" transcends simple objectification. It's a snapshot of a captivating woman, seen through the lens of both desire and insecurity. With its bluesy swagger and Seger's gravelly vocals, the song remains a fan favorite, capturing the complex emotions sparked by an encounter with someone who both attracts and challenges us.