Introduction
Clay Walker – “This Woman and This Man”
“This Woman and This Man” is a celebrated country song by Clay Walker, featured on his second studio album If I Could Make a Living, released in 1994. Written by Jeff Pennig and Michael Lunn, it was issued as the album’s second single in December 1994, following the title track If I Could Make a Living.
The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for two consecutive weeks in March 1995 (March 18–25). It also topped the Radio & Records chart in the U.S. and the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada—marking the first time a Clay Walker single held the #1 position for multiple weeks for Giant Records.
💔 Song Content
Unlike the upbeat love songs Clay Walker had previously released, “This Woman and This Man” carries a more somber and introspective tone. The lyrics take a unique approach: the narrator doesn’t directly sing about “you” and “me,” but instead tells the story of “a man” and “a woman” in a hypothetical sense. This subtle distance allows listeners to project their own experiences into the song—whether or not they are the characters being described.
The narrator wrestles with emotional communication—knowing what he wants to say but struggling to find the right words to convey it to his partner. The song delves into themes of disconnection, regret, and the longing to rebuild intimacy. Poignant lines such as:
“A stranger’s eyes in a lover’s face … It’s a circle we’re going round … If we don’t get us out from under … It’s gonna take us down”
capture the fragility of a relationship at a breaking point.
🎙 Achievements and Impact
“This Woman and This Man” became Walker’s fifth consecutive #1 single, marking a turning point in his career from lighthearted, radio‑friendly hits to deeper, more emotionally charged material. According to Clay, this was the first song that made audiences see him as a serious artist rather than just a handsome cowboy entertainer.
The track’s success helped propel Walker into headlining tours and paved the way for more heartfelt ballads such as “Hypnotize the Moon,” “Only on Days That End in Y,” and “Jesus Was a Country Boy,” showcasing his growing emotional depth as a country performer.
🎬 Music Video
Directed by Bill Young, the music video opens with Walker and a woman in a sterile office setting—suggesting a legal meeting or divorce proceedings—before transitioning to black‑and‑white, old‑Hollywood‑style scenes. In the end, Walker sheds his business attire, dons a denim jacket, and walks away, with the woman following, hinting at reconciliation. While the visuals suggest hope, the lyrics leave the relationship’s future uncertain.
📌 Conclusion
With its inventive storytelling, heartfelt delivery, and emotional resonance, “This Woman and This Man” remains one of Clay Walker’s signature songs. It transcends simple pop‑country appeal, speaking to private heartbreaks while connecting with a universal audience—cementing its place as one of the most enduring and poignant tracks in Walker’s career.