Warwick's rendition is characterized by its elegant arrangement in G major, showcasing Bacharach's signature style. The song's original harmonic structure, particularly in the bridge and chorus, underscores the reflective and tender nature of the lyrics. It became one of Warwick's enduring hits, cementing her as a leading interpreter of Bacharach and David's works.
In 1968, Aretha Franklin recorded a soulful reinterpretation of the song for her album Aretha Now. Initially intended as the B-side to The House That Jack Built, Franklin's version gained momentum due to its inventive arrangement and emotional depth, driven by Clayton Ivey's dynamic piano work. Transposed to A major, Franklin's version introduced new harmonic elements that set it apart from Warwick's original. The single reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the R&B chart, while also charting internationally, peaking at number four in the UK and achieving significant success in Europe and Australia.
Franklin's I Say a Little Prayer became a cultural milestone, representing her ability to transform existing material into deeply personal and universally resonant performances. It was her ninth consecutive top-ten hit on the Atlantic label and her biggest UK hit until her 1987 collaboration with George Michael, I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).
Franklin's rendition received critical acclaim, with *New Musical Express* naming it the greatest single of all time in a 1987 poll. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the song at No. 117 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." The song remains a testament to Franklin's unparalleled vocal artistry and emotional expressiveness.
I Say a Little Prayer continues to be celebrated as a quintessential example of soul and pop music fusion. Both Warwick's and Franklin's versions showcase the versatility of the composition, appealing to diverse audiences through their distinct interpretations. Franklin's version, in particular, is often associated with her role in music history as a powerful voice of emotion and social resonance.
I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
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
Mmhm
I run for the bus, dear
But 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)
The lyrics to Aretha Franklin's "I Say a Little Prayer" express a deep and unwavering love for the subject of the song. The singer starts the song by describing the first things she does upon waking up, which involves saying a prayer for the person she loves. She then goes on to describe how this person occupies her thoughts throughout the day, even as she goes through routine activities like combing her hair and riding the bus. The lyrics also emphasize that the love between the singer and the subject of the song is forever and that being separated from them would be heartbreak.
The song uses faith as a metaphor for love, expressing how the singer's love for the other person is so great that it feels like a religious devotion. The repetition of "forever" and "never will part" reinforces this idea of the eternal nature of love. Throughout the song, the singer asks the person to answer her prayers and to love her back, expressing vulnerability and a deep need for reciprocal feelings.
Overall, "I Say a Little Prayer" is a heartfelt declaration of love that uses faith and religious language to emphasize its emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
The moment I wake up
As soon as I open my eyes in the morning
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
Before I start getting ready for the day, including putting on makeup
I say a little prayer for you
I take a moment to pray for the person I love
And while combing my hair, now
While I'm brushing my hair in preparation for the day
And wondering what dress to wear, now (wear, now)
And trying to figure out which dress I should put on
I say a little prayer for you
I say another prayer for the person I love
Forever (forever), forever ('ever)
Affirmation of a forever love
You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
The person I love will always be in my heart and I will always love them
Forever (forever), and ever (ever)
Affirmation of a forever love
We never will part, oh, how I love you
I will always love the person I am singing to and we will never be separated
Together (together), together (together)
We will always be together
That's how it must be
Being together and loving each other is the only way it can be
To live without you would only mean heartbreak for me
Living without the person I love would be too painful for me
Mmh I run for the bus, dear
I have to hurry to catch the bus
While riding I think of us, dear (us, dear)
As I'm on the bus on the way to work, I think about our relationship
I say a little prayer for you
I take yet another moment to pray for the person I love
And at work I just take time
During my workday, I take a moment to reflect
And all through my coffee break time (break time)
During my coffee break, I continue to think about the person I love
I say a little prayer for you
And yet another moment is taken to pray for the person I love
My darling, believe me (believe me)
I want the person I love to believe me and trust me
For me there is no one but you
There is no one else for me but the one I love
Please love me true
I hope and pray that the person I love truly loves me back
This is my prayer (answer my prayer, baby)
This entire song is my prayer and plea to the person I love
Answer my prayer now, babe (answer my prayer, baby)
Please grant me what I am asking for
Say you love me true (answer my prayer, baby)
Please confirm your love for me
This is my prayer, baby (answer my prayer, baby)
This song is my heart's prayer to the person I love
I'm in love with you (answer my prayer)
The person I am singing to needs to know that I am in love with them
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DhariaLurie
"The Longing of a Dafa Follower
Leaving behind the land of China, I’m exiled in the West
Longing for my homeland
And thinking of the lady whom I love
Most people are Gods descended to the world
Waiting for the Creator to save them back to heaven
Modern notions and conduct are deceitful tricks of demons
Atheism and evolutionary theory are fanciful lies
To spread this truth widely
I am persecuted, displaced to foreign lands
2018, Summer
*
For You and All Beings
Wonderful times kept only in my memory
Warm breezes of love through so many days and nights
Persecution brings everything back to the first wish
Oppression makes you worry for me, tormented and restless
Most people are Gods descended to the world to await the Creator
Atheism and evolutionary theory are deceiving people
Modern notions and conduct are dead ends with no way out
The meaning of life is to return to heaven
To tell the truth to all beings
To keep you away from troubles
Wonderful times kept only in my memory
December 12, 2018
*
The Love of a Dafa Disciple
Returning to where we started—what other choice have I
Persecution is ongoing, I wish not to bring trouble to you
Let us part, so you will not be hurt
For I want to tell people where life’s meaning lies
Most people are Gods incarnate, awaiting the Creator
Atheism and evolutionary theory are destroying mankind
Modern notions and conduct are errors in life
For the salvation of you and the world’s people
I want to spread the truth all over China and beyond
December 23, 2018
*
No Other Choice
I met you on the journey of life
Love seeded in our hearts
Yet I am persecuted; to not bring you trouble
I left, for I had no other choice
Most people of the world are Gods incarnate
Awaiting the Creator’s salvation
Atheism and evolution are false doctrines
Modern notions and conduct are harming us
To spread this important message
I am persecuted, so we have to part
When the red tide falls, you and I shall meet again
January 6, 2019"
Master Li Hongzhi (Hong Yin VI, from Falun Dafa teachings)
@Chaplin_Verve
LYRICS:
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair now
I'm wondering what to wear now (wear now)
I say a little prayer for you (for you, ooh)
Oh, baby
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) togethеr (together) togethеr
(That's how it must be to live without you)
(Would only mean heartbreak for me)
Ooh, ooh, ooh
I run for the bus, dear
While riding, I think of us, dear (us, dear), hey
I say a little prayer for you, oh, oh-oh, oh-oh (oh, shawty)
At work, I just take time
And all through my coffee breaktime (breaktime)
I say a little prayer for you
forever
(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)
Only mean heartbreak for me
Ooh-ooh
@jackringo9878
When my wife listened to this song she smiled and sang along. It was the last time I saw her really happy. A couple of days ago she suddenly died. We were together for 36 years. This song will always remind me of her last smile.
@charleygarza4473
She’s still around you! Live the life she wants you to live, to the fullest! For her.💕
@phyllisquinnie7167
Sincere condolences for you 🙏🏽🌟💫she is with you in spirit now ❤️
@billyjenemusiclover667
My heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family! God bless all of you and may God give you all strength. Thirty-six years is full of beautiful memories and I hope you relive all of them over and over again.
@misspeacelove7395
I´m sorry for the loss of your wife that must be very hard. Music can definitely help you heal though.
@EVER4MJ
Hugs 🤗🤗 to you
@EternalGospelMelodies8888
1968- this song is awesome!
2024 - this song is awesome!
@justpassingbyy
2084 - this song is awesome!
@tuncsoydemir6831
'Cause Aretha is awesome. ❤
@gillesguillaumin6603
3824 , this song ŵillbe awesome. ❤🎉