This rare nugget is an outtake from The Artful Dodger sessions and is available on the Once Bitten, Twice Shy compilation as well as Tilting The Mirror Rarities (box set only). Hunter rarely makes a foray into a funky sound but this basic track indeed does. Ian's sometime collaborator Darrell Bath also recorded the tune along with other Hunter tracks.
With Darrell Bath, Ian finally found a partner he was comfortable working with after the early demise of Mick Ronson. They met at the sessions for "Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry" in 1994 and worked together, on and off, for the next six years. When Ian was not touring, Darrell was busy plugging his own career with regular gigs in London - and he eventually released his first 'solo' album, "Same Old Brand New", in May 2000. This also marked the end of his working relationship with Ian.
The song bears no relation to the Helen Reddy hit but imitators Great White did record a song with the same title.
Lyrics
He likes to wear thousand dollar suits
He likes to lift weights, do little too
He likes to show off in front of all your friends
And then you go home and you beat her up again
That's no way to treat a lady (ain't no way)
You're as low as low you can be
That's no way to treat a lady (ain't no way)
If you don't respect her set her free
He never comforts her when she cries
The only tissues you got are lies
Her body shocked, her face is black and blue
How could she ever love scum like you
That's no way to treat a lady
There's something wicked there in your brain
That's no way to treat a lady
You're pretty dumb so I'll say it once again
Ain't no way, Ain't no way, (Ain't no way)
Ain't no way to treat a lady
No it ain't no way, Ain't no way, (Ain't no way)
It ain't no way to treat a lady
He never picked her up when she fell
You never gave her anything but hell
You don't support her even though she's got your kids
And you're trying to destroy her, best thing that you ever did
That's no way to treat a lady
You never learn, you're as stubborn as a mule
That's no way to treat a lady
There's ain't no fool like a young fool
Her feet are aching
Her back is breaking
Her nerves are shaking
From the crap she's taking
Her hands are raw
Her heart is sore
She doesn't know when she can take any more
He likes to play dirty little games
He likes to call her dirty little names
She got no money, she got nothing left of her
And everywhere she looks all she sees is dirt
That's no way to treat a lady (ain't no way)
You as low as low you can be
That's no way to treat a lady
Your dirty little secret is safe with me
Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady | 4:32 | Outtake from The Artful Dodger sessions. Originally issued on the Once Bitten Twice Shy compilation. It can also be found on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only). |