I Never Loved a Man
Aretha & Otis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could
I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
Some time ago I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again
Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
Cause I ain't never
Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
I can't sleep at night
And I can't even fight
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me
Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
No
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it
The lyrics to "I Never Loved A Man" by Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding depict a tumultuous relationship filled with pain and betrayal. The singer expresses frustration and hurt towards their partner, labeling them as a "no good heart breaker" and accusing them of being a liar and cheat. Despite knowing that their friends disapprove of the relationship and warn them that the partner is not good for them, the singer confesses that they are unable to leave the toxic situation, feeling stuck and bound to their partner in a way they cannot explain.
The singer reveals their vulnerability and deep emotional attachment to their partner by admitting that they have never loved a man the way they love this person. Despite the mistreatment and pain inflicted upon them, they struggle to break free from the hold their partner has on them. The lyrics suggest that the singer is conflicted between their feelings of love and the rational judgment that they should leave the relationship for their own well-being.
The song continues with the singer acknowledging that they were foolish to believe that their partner had run out of victims to manipulate, realizing that they have become ensnared in a cycle of mistreatment and hurt. They lament the shame and sorrow of being hurt by someone they care deeply for and express the belief that they deserve better treatment. The singer pleads with their partner to kiss them once more and never say that their relationship is over, despite the emotional turmoil it causes them.
The lyrics convey the singer's inner turmoil and desperation as they grapple with their inability to escape the toxic relationship. They confess that they cannot sleep at night and feel powerless to fight against the emotional hold their partner has over them. The repeated refrain of "I ain't never loved a man the way that I love you" underscores the complexity of their emotions, highlighting the deep connection they feel despite the pain inflicted upon them. Ultimately, the song hints at a sense of resignation and a decision to take action, suggesting that the singer may finally be ready to break free from the destructive relationship and reclaim their independence and self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a no good heart breaker
You consistently break my heart with your deceitful ways.
You're a liar and you're a cheat
You deceive and betray me with your dishonesty.
And I don't know why
I'm unsure of why I allow you to mistreat me.
I let you do these things to me
I allow you to continue hurting me.
My friends keep telling me
My friends warn me constantly.
That you ain't no good
They know you're not right for me.
But oh, they don't know
But they don't truly understand.
That I'd leave you if I could
I would leave you if I had the chance.
I guess I'm uptight
I feel tense and anxious.
And I'm stuck like glue
I am stuck in this unhealthy relationship.
Cause I ain't never
Because I have never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
felt such intense love for a man.
(The way that I, I love you)
(The kind of love I feel for you)
Some time ago I thought
I used to believe
You had run out of fools
You had exhausted your supply of gullible people.
But I was so wrong
I was mistaken.
You got one that you'll never lose
You have found someone who will always be there for you.
The way you treat me is a shame
Your treatment of me is disgraceful.
How could ya hurt me so bad
How could you cause me so much pain.
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
You are aware that I am the most valuable person
That you ever had
That has ever been in your life.
Kiss me once again
Show me affection one more time.
Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
Don't ever declare that our relationship is over.
I can't sleep at night
I struggle to find peace in the darkness.
And I can't even fight
I lack the strength to resist.
I guess I'll never be free
I fear I will never escape.
Since you got, your hooks, in me
You have a firm hold on me.
Whoa, oh, oh
Expressing emotional distress.
Yeah! Yeah!
Affirmation of emotions.
I ain't never loved a man
I have never loved anyone
I ain't never loved a man, baby
I have never loved a man before
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
I have never been hurt by a man like this before.
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it
This is the action I plan to take.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronnie Shannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind