I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha & Otis Lyrics


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The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
I say a little prayer for you
And while combing my hair, now
And wondering what dress to wear, now (wear, now)
I say a little prayer for you

Forever (forever), forever ('ever)
You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
Forever (forever), and ever (ever)
We never will part, oh, how I love you
Together (together), together (together)
That's how it must be
To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me

Mmh
I run for the bus, dear
While riding I think of us, dear (us, dear)
I say a little prayer for you
And at work I just take time
And all through my coffee break time (break time)
I say a little prayer for you

Forever (forever), forever ('ever)
You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
Forever (forever) and ever (ever)
We never will part, oh, how I love you
Together (together), together (together)
That's how it must be
To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me
Nobody but me

Forever ('ever), and ever (ever)
You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
Forever (forever), and ever (ever)
We never will part, oh, how I love you
Together (together), together (together)
That's how it must be
To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me

Mmh-mhm
My darling, believe me (believe me)
For me there is no one but you
Please love me true
I'm in love with you
(Answer my prayer) answer my prayer, babe
(Answer my prayer) say you love me true
(Answer my prayer) answer my prayer, baby
(Answer my prayer) yeah

Forever (forever), and ever (ever)
you'll stay (ever) in my heart and I will love you
Forever (forever), and ever (ever)
we never will part, oh, how I love you
Together (together), together (together)
That's how it must be
To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me
Oh, nobody but me

My darling, believe me (believe me)
For me there is no one but you
Please love me true
This is my prayer (answer my prayer, baby)
Answer my prayer now, babe (answer my prayer, baby)
This is my prayer (answer my prayer, baby)
Answer it right now, babe (answer my prayer, baby)
Say you love me true (answer my prayer, baby)




This is my prayer, baby (answer my prayer, baby)
I'm in love with you (answer my prayer)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding convey a deep sense of love, devotion, and companionship. The song portrays a routine that the singer goes through each day, starting with waking up in the morning and saying a prayer for their loved one before even beginning their day. The act of saying a prayer symbolizes the deep emotional connection and care the singer feels for their partner, seeking protection and well-being for them even in the mundane moments of getting ready for the day.


The repetition of "Forever and ever" throughout the song emphasizes the enduring nature of the singer's love. They express a belief that their partner will always hold a special place in their heart, and they vow to love them endlessly. The lyrics touch on the fear of living without this loved one, suggesting that it would result in heartbreak for the singer. The sense of togetherness and unity is highlighted, emphasizing that being without their partner would be an unbearable loss.


As the singer goes about their day – catching the bus, working, or taking a coffee break – they continue to say prayers for their loved one, showing that their thoughts are consistently centered on this person. The imagery of mundane activities intertwined with thoughts of love reflects the idea that the relationship permeates every aspect of the singer's life. The declaration that there is no one but their partner for the singer emphasizes the depth of their feelings and their unwavering commitment to this love.


The plea for the partner to answer their prayer and love them true further underscores the vulnerability and earnestness of the singer's emotions. The repetition of this plea and the urgency in their tone convey a sense of longing and a deep desire for reassurance in the relationship. The continuation of affirmations of love and devotion throughout the song culminates in a heartfelt plea for their partner to reciprocate that love, solidifying the idea that this love is central to the singer's existence and happiness.


Line by Line Meaning

The moment I wake up
At the start of my day


Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
Before I face the world with a fake persona


I say a little prayer for you
I wish well for you


And while combing my hair, now
As I prepare myself


And wondering what dress to wear, now (wear, now)
And choosing how I present myself


Forever (forever), forever ('ever)
Eternal love


You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
You remain in my thoughts and heart


We never will part, oh, how I love you
Our bond is unbreakable


Together (together), together (together)
Always united


That's how it must be
That is the only way for us


To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me
Being without you is unbearable


Mmh
Expressing a feeling


My darling, believe me (believe me)
Trust my feelings


For me there is no one but you
You are my one and only


Please love me true
Show me genuine affection


Answer my prayer
Grant my wishes




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@maribarreto6413

The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair, now,
And wondering what dress to wear, now,
I say a little prayer for you

Forever, and ever,
(You'll stay in my heart and I will love you)
(Forever) Forever, and ever,
(We never will part Oh, how I love you)
(Together) Together, forever,
(That's how it must be to live without you)
Would only mean heartbreak for me, ooh

I run for the bus, dear,
While riding I think of us, dear,
I say a little prayer for you
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time,
I say a little prayer for you

Forever, and ever,
(You'll stay in my heart and I will love you)
(Forever) Forever, and ever,
(We never will part Oh, how I love you)
(Together) Together, forever,
(That's how it must be To live without you)
Would only mean heartbreak for me

My darling, believe me
For me there is no one but you
Please love me too
Answer my prayer
Answer my prayer now babe, oh-oh

Forever, and ever, ever
(You'll stay in my heart and I will love you)
(Forever) Forever, and ever,
(We never will part Oh, how I love you)
(Together) Together, forever,
(That's how it must be to live without you)
Would only mean heartbreak for me, nobody but me

My darling, believe me
For me there is no one but you
Please love me too
Answer my prayer
Answer my prayer now babe
Say you love me too
Answer it right now babe
Answer my prayer



@ernesto7145

One of Miss Aretha’ s
Best!!!
Dionne’s was beautiful and melodic
BUT Aretha gave it meaning, made it real
One of her very bests of all her greatest
This and “A Natural Woman” should have Topped the charts Even though it was the “B” side to“The House That Jack Built”.
Too many of Aretha’s great hits didn’t go all the way to the top.i.e
“Until you come back to me”…
of pop charts that is.



All comments from YouTube:

@rbrockman6635

I'm a 60 something year old white guy, in Texas of all places, who was 9-10 yrs when she did this. Even then as a boy I knew she was very special. My mom, as a young widow, had a lot to do with my music appreciation. Man!! That women could sing. Won't be another one like her...... not even close.

@julianagimenes6819

Eu amo está música, está para mim transmiti um alto astral imensurável,sem contar que a Aretha é explendita 🎶🎶💕

@jameswilliams8568

You have great taste in music..

@jeffmorin5867

The Holy Spirit had a hand in this song. :)

@reginafreire7655

@@julianagimenes6819 Maravilhosa

@sjaywjayw70

Aretha transcends music behind color, people, or country. I'm 52 white guy from StL. My mom would listen to Motown back in the 80's, I'll never forgot all those dreams songs.

7 More Replies...

@donw5641

Aretha really lets the backup singers really shine.

@V-nMontague

ur the only comment
oh wow

@lwilkins9115

She sings WITH backing singers not over them 🙂

@vittorinabriccola6860

Simply Fantastic exceptional 👍🏼 Unique, ♥️🌹🌹♥️ ARETHA FRANKLIN 🌹

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