A member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra during her youth, Winehouse signed to Simon Fuller's 19 Management in 2002 and soon recorded a number of songs before signing a publishing deal with EMI. She also formed a working relationship with producer Salaam Remi through these record publishers. Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was released in 2003. Many of the album's songs were influenced by jazz and, apart from two covers, were co-written by Winehouse. Frank was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The song "Stronger Than Me" won her the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
Winehouse released her follow-up album, Back to Black, in 2006, which went on to become an international success and one of the best-selling albums in UK history. At the 2007 Brit Awards it was nominated for British Album of the Year, and she received the award for British Female Solo Artist. The song "Rehab" won her a second Ivor Novello Award. At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, she won five awards, tying the then record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night and becoming the first British woman to win five Grammys, including three of the General Field "Big Four" Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (for "Rehab"), as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.
Winehouse was plagued by drug and alcohol addiction. She died of alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011, at the age of 27. After her death, Back to Black temporarily became the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century. VH1 ranked Winehouse 26th on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
1.12 Help Yourself
Amy Winehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I understand a man confused
There must have been but I don't care
I feel the way your soul does there
Darling they empathize
Looking through your bloodshot eyes
And I know you you're so frustrated
Be slight nobody can be that wise
I can't help you if you won't help yourself
No I can't help you if you don't help yourself
You can only get so much from someone yeah
You can get so much from me
I can't help you if you won't help yourself
You've got the degree in philosophy
So you think you're cleverer than me
('Cause you so smart)
But I'm not just some drama queen
(Drama queen)
'Cause it's where you're at not where you've been
So what do you expect from me
(What do you want)
To hold your head above the sea
(Keep you high and dry)
And carry you even though you're bigger
'Cause don't you know you crush my tiny figure
And anyway we're still so young
(Yeah I'm so young)
And this isn't yet the day
I can't help you if you won't help yourself
No I can't help you if you don't help yourself
(You won't help yourself)
You can only get so much from someone yeah
I can't help you if you won't help yourself
You might be twenty-five but in my mind
I see you at sixteen years oh most of the time
And I'm, I'm just a child and you're full grown
And no I'm nothing like I've ever known yeah
You are like nothing that I ever knew
The lyrics to Amy Winehouse's "Help Yourself" tell a story of frustration and disappointment. The singer is addressing someone she cares deeply about and is pleading with them to take control of their own life. The repetition of the line "I can't help you if you won't help yourself" is a powerful reminder that ultimately, we are responsible for our own happiness and well-being.
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer compares herself to the person she is addressing. By "walking in their shoes," she is demonstrating empathy and acknowledging the difficulties they are facing. The line "There must have been but I don't care" suggests that the singer has heard excuses before and is no longer willing to accept them.
The verses that follow are a mixture of frustration and concern. The singer is trying to get through to the person she cares about but is met with resistance. While she empathizes with their struggle and acknowledges their frustration, she is ultimately unable to help them if they are not willing to take action themselves. The line "Be slight nobody can be that wise" is a reminder that none of us know everything, and sometimes it takes difficult life experiences to truly understand.
Overall, "Help Yourself" is a powerful commentary on personal responsibility and the importance of taking control of our own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When I walk in your shoes
When I experience what you're going through
I understand a man confused
I understand the feeling of being lost and disoriented
There must have been but I don't care
There might be a reason for your struggles, but it doesn't matter to me now
I feel the way your soul does there
I feel the same emotions and pain that you're feeling
Darling they empathize
People can understand and share your feelings
Looking through your bloodshot eyes
Seeing things from your perspective, even though you're under the influence
And I know you you're so frustrated
I know you're feeling upset and angry
Above we all become what we once hated
Sometimes we end up being like the people we once despised
Be slight nobody can be that wise
It's unrealistic to expect anyone to have all the answers
I can't help you if you won't help yourself
I can't solve your problems if you're not willing to take action yourself
No I can't help you if you don't help yourself
I can't fix your issues if you refuse to work on them
You can only get so much from someone yeah
I can only give so much before you need to do your part
You can get so much from me
I'm willing to help, but I can only do so much
You've got the degree in philosophy
You have knowledge and education
So you think you're cleverer than me
You might feel superior, but that's not necessarily true
('Cause you so smart)
You think you're smart
But I'm not just some drama queen
I'm not being dramatic, I'm being practical
('Cause it's where you're at not where you've been)
It's more important to deal with your current situation than your past
So what do you expect from me
What kind of help are you looking for?
('What do you want)
What specifically do you need from me?
To hold your head above the sea
To keep you from drowning in your problems
('Keep you high and dry)
To keep you safe and protected
And carry you even though you're bigger
To support you even though you're more capable
'Cause don't you know you crush my tiny figure
Your problems are overwhelming and difficult to deal with
And anyway we're still so young
We still have plenty of time to figure things out
('Yeah I'm so young)
I still have a lot to learn and experience
And this isn't yet the day
This isn't the end or the final solution
You might be twenty-five but in my mind
Your age doesn't necessarily reflect your maturity
I see you at sixteen years oh most of the time
You still have some growing up to do
And I'm, I'm just a child and you're full grown
I'm still learning and growing, while you're more developed
And no I'm nothing like I've ever known yeah
This situation is new to me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Hogarth, Frederick James, Larry Stock, Amy Winehouse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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