Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60's. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960's by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980's.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of "Time Is On My Side," which predated the hit version by the Rolling Stones. Otis Redding's hit "Pain In My Heart" was built on an earlier song, "Ruler of My Heart," recorded by Thomas.
Thomas is still active as a performer, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and various tour dates in the US and Europe. She has reigned as Queen of the Krewe du Vieux for the 1998 New Orleans Mardi Gras season and often headlined at her own club, the Lion's Den, which is now out of business due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Irma Thomas has participated in numerous post-Katrina charity projects including The New Orleans Social Club, and won numerous awards including the Offbeat Magazine Award, Mojo Magazine's Legends award, Big Easy Award, a Family Services Award and many more. In 2009, Scott Billington compiled a Rounder records retrospective "Irma Thomas: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Soul Queen of New Orleans: " .
Anyone Who Knows What Love Is
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anyone
Anyone
Anyone
You can blame me
Try to shame me
And still I'll care for you
You can run around
Even put me down
Still I'll be there for you
The world
May think I'm foolish
They can't see you
Like I can
Oh but anyone
Who knows what love is
Will understand
Anyone
Anyone
Anyone
I just feel so sorry (anyone)
For the ones
Who pity me
(Anyone) 'Cause they just don't know
(Anyone) Oh they don't what happiness love can be
I know
I know to ever let you go
Oh, it's more than I could ever stand
Oh, but anyone
Who knows what love is
Will understand
Oh (anyone) they'll understand
(Anyone) If they try love, they'll understand
(Anyone) Oh, try to understand
The lyrics of Irma Thomas's "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is" convey a deep sense of commitment and devotion to another person, even in the face of adversity. The first verse outlines the singer's willingness to care for someone regardless of how they treat her, while the second verse suggests that her love is misunderstood by others who view her as being pitiful for her dedication. However, the chorus offers reassurance that anyone who has experienced true love would understand the singer's actions and feelings. The final lines leave the listener with an invitation to try and understand love as the singer does.
This song speaks to the universal experience of loving someone deeply and unconditionally, even when it is not reciprocated in the way we hope. It highlights the often-misunderstood nature of true love and the willingness to stand by someone, even in the face of outside judgment. The chorus serves as a reminder that love is a powerful force that transcends societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
You can blame me
Even if you hold me responsible for something or accuse me of something, I will still take care of you.
Try to shame me
Even if you try to embarrass me for something I did or said, I will still take care of you.
And still I'll care for you
Despite everything you do or say to me, I will always take care of you.
You can run around
Even if you go around and do whatever you want, I will still be there for you.
Even put me down
Even if you insult me or belittle me, I will still be there for you.
Still I'll be there for you
No matter what actions you take towards me, I will never abandon you.
The world
People in general
May think I'm foolish
Others may perceive me as being silly or unintelligent for the way I act towards you.
They can't see you
The people who judge me do not know you or understand the depth of our relationship.
Like I can
I have a unique perspective on you and our love that others do not have.
Oh but anyone
However, people who have also experienced true love will understand.
Who knows what love is
People who have experienced genuine love in their lives.
Will understand
They will comprehend the actions and feelings described in this song as they have been through it themselves.
I just feel so sorry (anyone)
I pity those who have never experienced true love.
For the ones
For people in general.
Who pity me
Individuals who think they feel sorry for me due to their lack of understanding for our relationship.
'Cause they just don't know
Because these people have not yet experienced love's great depth and capacity for happiness.
Oh they don't what happiness love can be
They do not truly know how happy and fulfilling love can be until they have experienced it themselves.
I know
I am aware.
I know to ever let you go
I know I could never let you go due to the tremendous amount of love I have for you.
Oh, it's more than I could ever stand
The thought of releasing you is unbearable to me.
Oh, but anyone
However, people who have also experienced true love will understand.
Who knows what love is
People who have experienced genuine love in their lives.
Will understand
They will comprehend the actions and feelings described in this song as they have been through it themselves.
Oh (anyone) they'll understand
People who have experienced true love will have empathy for the singer's situation.
(Anyone) If they try love, they'll understand
People who have not experienced true love can understand by experiencing it themselves.
(Anyone) Oh, try to understand
The singer appeals to people to try to understand her situation despite their lack of experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEANNIE SEELY, RANDY NEWMAN, JUDITH ARBUCKLE, PAT SHEERAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Mueller
on These Honey Dos
Irma Thomas - These Honey Dos lyrics
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sittin' there
Two good legs, two good arms
Your butt stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, that's where yer at
C1/
I tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
V2/
Honey, when I'm away
You always got to know
Who I see, what I do
And everywhere I go
And it's, while yer out, here's the list
Drop off that, pick up this
Yer still in that chair, that's where you is
C2/
Please don't make me try
To get away from you
I'm right here for ya, baby
But ya gotta give me somethin' too
Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
B/
I'd do most everything
That I ever could do
All the love I got
I only give ta you
Honey, if you knew
A lover from a crutch
You'd know that everything yer doin'
Don't amount ta much
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sitting there
With two good legs, and two good arms
And your butt still stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, just gettin' fat
C1/
Tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Are gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
{Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?} ( 2x )
Spoken:
Honey do this, honey do that
Reach for this, reach for that
Now where is please?
Where is thank you?
Yer making a very large assumption
And you know what they say about the word assumption
Now you know you king of this castle
(As long as I'm in it)
But you gotta put a little please in there sometimes
And every now 'n' then think of some Honey Don'ts to say
Y'know? You got me
I wouldn't stay here, if I didn't love ya
But every now and then, put in some please and thank yous
Do ya Honey Do?
Turn 'em into Honey Don'ts
Moses Davis
on Hurt's All Gone
my goodness ump I cant get enough