According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying." Catchy rhythms, stressed by handclaps and extemporaneous body moves, are an important feature of soul music. Other characteristics are a call and response between the soloist and the chorus, and an especially tense vocal sound. The style also occasionally uses improvisational additions, twirls and auxiliary sounds.
Bring It on Home to Me
Sam Cooke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About leaving, leaving me behind
Baby (oh), bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
I know I laughed when you left
But now I know I only hurt myself
Baby (oh), bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
I'll give you jewelry and money too
That ain't all, that ain't all I'll do for you
Baby (oh), if you bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
You know I'll always be your slave
'Til I'm buried, buried in my grave
Oh, honey bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
One more thing
I tried to treat you right
But you stayed out, stayed out at night
But I forgive you, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
In "Bring It on Home to Me," Sam Cooke pleads with a former lover to come back to him. The song opens with Cooke singing about the possibility of his former partner's return, and he begs them to do so. The chorus, "Bring your sweet loving, bring it on home to me," is a powerful and apt way to express his heart's desire. Cooke's emotionally charged voice coupled with the soaring harmonies of the backup vocalists creates an evocative and unforgettable sound.
In the second verse, Cooke addresses his pain from their past behavior, and he acknowledges that his laughing when they left was just an act to deal with his grief. The lyrics "I know I laughed when you left, but now I know I only hurt myself" serve to demonstrate the depth of his emotion and regret over what happened. He reiterates his plea to have them back, that he will do anything for them, as long as they come back to him.
In the final verse, Cooke speaks about being loyal to his beloved, even if it means suffering for them. In the last line, he reiterates his request, "bring it on home to me," and the song fades with a final striking "yeah" from Cooke.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever change your mind
If you regret leaving me, even if it's not what you originally intended
About leaving, leaving me behind
If you decide to leave me, even if it hurts me
Baby (oh), bring it to me
Please come back to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring your affection and care
Bring it on home to me
Come back to me
I know I laughed when you left
At the time, I didn't show how hurt I was
But now I know I only hurt myself
I realize now that my behavior negatively affected me and our relationship
I'll give you jewelry and money too
I'm willing to offer you material possessions as a sign of my commitment
That ain't all, that ain't all I'll do for you
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things work between us
You know I'll always be your slave
I'm committed to serving and pleasing you
'Til I'm buried, buried in my grave
I'll always be devoted to you, even upon my death
Oh, honey bring it to me
My affectionate term for you as I ask you to come back to me
One more thing
I have one more request
I tried to treat you right
I did my best to be good to you
But you stayed out, stayed out at night
You were unfaithful and stayed out late at night
But I forgive you, bring it to me
Despite your infidelity, I'm willing to forgive and move forward if you come back to me
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Repeating the phrase for emphasis and rhythm
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Repeating the phrase for emphasis and rhythm
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Repeating the phrase for emphasis and rhythm
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Repeating the phrase for emphasis and rhythm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil David
on Goin' Home
The lyric is not “Nothing loss of days...”
It is “Nothing’s lost, all is gain...”
You will notice this actually supports the rhyme.