If You Need My Love Tonight
Aretha Franklin Lyrics


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Inside my mind
the hands of time rewind
To when you're love was mine so magically
We shared a song
and even though it's gone
I can still recall the melody
Don't be scared if you lie awake in the dark (I won't be afraid, baby)
'Cause I still truly care with all my heart

If you need my love tonight
all you have to do is call me
And I'm always here when you need a friend
If you need my love tonight
I promise to keep you from falling
And I'll stay with you
if you need my love tonight

Tonight
tonight, tonight

So soft and pure
your love was the cure
Then I felt lost and so alone
Now it's my turn
to give you what you yearn
Return the love that you have always shown
And what a joy if I could see you once again (oh, I see you tonight, baby)
I will treat you so right
you're mine, body and soul

If you need my love tonight
all you have to do is call me
And I'm always here when you need a friend
If you need my love tonight
I promise to keep you from falling
And I'll stay with you
if you need my love tonight

Tonight
Tonight
I'll be there

If you need my love tonight
all you have to do is call me
And I'm always here when you need a friend
If you need my love tonight
I promise to keep you from falling
And I'll stay with you
if you need my love tonight
Stay with lady, with your baby

If you need my love tonight
all you have to do is call me
And I'm always here when you need a friend
Tonight





I want to be with you, baby

Overall Meaning

In the song "If You Need My Love Tonight" by Aretha Franklin, the singer reminisces about a past love and offers to be there for them should they need her love tonight. The first verse illustrates the power of memory and how the mind can transport you back to a time when love was present. The second verse describes how the singer felt lost after the love was gone, but now she wants to return that love and be the support the other person needs. Throughout the song, she reassures the other person that she still cares and is willing to be there for them.


The chorus repeats the offer to provide love and support if needed. The phrase "if you need my love tonight" is repeated several times, emphasizing the depth of the offer. The bridge offers a declaration of how the singer will treat the other person if they could be together again. The climax of the song is the repetition of the chorus, affirming the singer's willingness to be there in times of need.


Overall, this song is about the power of love and the importance of being there for others. It shows how memories of love can stay with us long after the love has faded and how we can still offer support to those we once cared for deeply.


Line by Line Meaning

Inside my mind
In my thoughts


the hands of time rewind
Remembering the past


To when you’re love was mine so magically
Remembering the time when we were in love


We shared a song
We had something special together


and even though it’s gone
Even though our love is lost


I can still recall the melody
I can still remember the good times we had


Don’t be scared if you lie awake in the dark (I won’t be afraid, baby)
Don't be afraid to reach out


'Cause I still truly care with all my heart
I still care deeply about you


If you need my love tonight
If you need me


all you have to do is call me
I'll be there for you


And I’m always here when you need a friend
I'll be your friend


I promise to keep you from falling
I'll support you through everything


And I’ll stay with you
I'll be with you


if you need my love tonight
Whenever you need me


So soft and pure
Gentle and loving


your love was the cure
Your love healed me


Then I felt lost and so alone
When we lost our love, I felt lonely


Now it’s my turn
Now I want to give back to you


to give you what you yearn
To give you what you need


Return the love that you have always shown
To show you the same love you showed me


And what a joy if I could see you once again (oh, I see you tonight, baby)
If we could be together again, it would be amazing


I will treat you so right
I'll treat you with love and respect


you’re mine, body and soul
I love you with my whole being


Tonight
Right now


tonight, tonight
Right now, right now


I'll be there
I'll be with you


Stay with lady, with your baby
Stay with me, your love


I want to be with you, baby
I want to be with you, my love


Tonight
Right now




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan Glass, Narada Michael Walden, Preston W. Glass

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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