Lee first experienced commercial success as the lead guitarist with Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. Quitting the Thunderbirds in 1968, Lee joined Heads Hands & Feet in 1969 until the breakup in 1973.
In 1974 Lee left the UK for Los Angeles, California, and joined The Crickets through his friend bassist Rick Grech (of Blind Faith). The band cut three albums together including A Long Way From Lubbock. By then Lee was receiving many offers of session work. In 1976, Lee was asked to join Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, replacing one of his heroes, James Burton, who was returning to perform with Elvis Presley. Starting in 1978, Lee worked for five years with Eric Clapton, playing and singing for a live concert recording at the Budokan in Japan.
Lee was responsible for The Everly Brothers 1983 reunion concert and was its musical director. He played regularly with the Everlys for over twenty years.
In 1987, Lee was invited by Gerry Hogan to headline at a steel guitar festival in Newbury, Berkshire. Lee was at first intimidated by the prospect of having to front a band, however, the gig was successful and he now tours with Hogan's Heroes on a regular basis.
A new Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes album entitled Like This was released in spring 2008 to coincide with their European tour. Lee continues to work in the studio and tours on a regular basis with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
If I Needed You
Albert Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you come to me
Would you come to me
For to ease my pain
If you needed me
I would come to you
I would swim the seas
For to ease your pain
Well the night's forlorn
And the morning's born
And the morning shines
With the lights of love
And you'll miss sunrise
If you close your eyes
And that would break
My heart in two
If I needed you
Would you come to me
Would you come to me
For to ease my pain
If you needed me
I would come to you
I would swim the seas
For to ease your pain
Baby's with me now
Since I showed her how
To lay
Her lilly
Hand in mine
Who would ill agree
She's a sight to see
A treasure for
The poor to find
If I needed you
Would you come to me
Would you come to me
For to ease my pain
If you needed me
I would come to you
I would swim the seas
For to ease your pain
The song "If I Needed You" by Albert Lee is a poignant and heartfelt expression of love and devotion. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability and humility, with the singer asking for help and offering to help in return. The song begins with a simple question: "If I needed you, would you come to me?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a plea for comfort and support during difficult times. The repetition of the phrase "For to ease my pain" emphasizes the deep emotional connection between the singer and the person they are addressing.
The second verse of the song introduces a metaphorical image of the night and the morning, which symbolize darkness and light, respectively. The singer suggests that if the person they are addressing closes their eyes and misses the sunrise, it would "break my heart in two." This line emphasizes the importance of being present and attentive to one another's needs.
The final verse of the song introduces a new character, "Baby," who is now with the singer. The image of their hands clasping is a powerful symbol of intimacy and affection. The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the strength and depth of their connection, and the willingness to go to great lengths to ease each other's pain.
Overall, "If I Needed You" is a powerful and deeply emotional song about the power of love and the importance of mutual support and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
If I needed you
Asking if the person would be willing to help if the singer was in need
Would you come to me
Asking if the person would physically come to help the singer
Would you come to me
Repeating the question to emphasize its importance
For to ease my pain
Clarifying that the help is needed to reduce the singer's suffering
If you needed me
Offering assistance if the person were in need
I would come to you
Promising to physically go to the person to provide help
I would swim the seas
Emphasizing that the singer is willing to go to great lengths to help
For to ease your pain
Clarifying that the help is offered to reduce the other person's suffering
Well the night's forlorn
Describing the loneliness of the night
And the morning's born
Signifying the beginning of a new day
And the morning shines
Describing the brightness and hopefulness of the morning
With the lights of love
Imagery of the new day being full of love and warmth
And you'll miss sunrise
Warning that the person will miss the beauty of the morning if they don't open their eyes
If you close your eyes
Reiterating that if the person doesn't take action, they'll miss out
And that would break
Expressing how sad it would be if the other person misses the sunrise
My heart in two
Suggesting that it would be emotionally painful for the singer if the person didn't experience the beauty of the new day
Baby's with me now
Referencing a positive change in the singer's life
Since I showed her how
Implying the singer helped the person in some way
To lay her lilly hand in mine
Describing a moment of intimacy and connection between the singer and the other person
Who would ill agree
Asking who wouldn't admit that the person is beautiful
She's a sight to see
Complimenting the other person's appearance
A treasure for the poor to find
Describing the other person as valuable and worthy of love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOWNES VAN ZANDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind