Aretha Franklin released a version of the song that reached #9 on the U.S. R&B chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. The song appeared on her 1968 album, Aretha Now.
See Saw
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you hurt me so bad, my tears run like water
You get me out right before your friends
And then you disown me baby, until we're alone again
Your love is like a see saw
Your love is like a see saw, baby
Your love is like a see saw
Goin' up an' down, all around, like a see saw
Sometimes you tell me you don't need my sweet candy man
And then sometimes, baby, never know where I stand
You lift me up when I'm on the ground
But as soon as I get up, child, you send me tumbling down
Now your love is like a see saw
Your love is like a see saw, baby
Your love is like a see saw
Goin' up, down, all around, it's like a see saw
When I kiss you and I like it
And I ask you to kiss me again
When I reach at you, you jump to lean out of sight
You change just like the wind
That ain't right, that ain't right, that ain't right
That ain't right, baby
Your love is like a see saw
Your love is like a see saw, baby
Your love is like a see saw
Goin' up, goin' down, all around, it's like a see saw
Your love is like a see saw
Your love is like a see saw, baby
Your love is like a see saw
Goin' up, goin' down, all around, it's like a see saw
Yeah, seesaw, baby
In the song "See Saw," Aretha Franklin describes the turbulence of a romantic relationship that fluctuates between highs and lows, like a see saw going up and down. The lyrics depict a partner who is unpredictable and inconsistent in their feelings towards her. The song suggests that while the partner can show love and affection at times, there are also moments of pain and hurt. Aretha Franklin sings about the way that her partner's behavior leaves her feeling bewildered, uncertain of where she stands and longing for consistency. The lyrics describe a situation in which the singer is both lifted up and let down, with feelings changing abruptly and unexpectedly. Despite this turbulence, the singer is not willing to give up on the relationship, indicating that she is willing to ride the ups and downs of the see saw like journey.
"See Saw" offers a vivid portrayal of the emotional rollercoaster that can be part of relationships, as they shift between high and low points. The lyrics illustrate the difficulties of navigating such a situation, particularly when one partner can be so inconstant in their behavior. Aretha Franklin's vocal performance captures the turmoil and range of feelings that come with this kind of relationship, with soaring belts and tormented interjections. Overall, the song offers an insightful and moving portrayal of the complexities of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes you love me like a good man oughta
You treat me with respect and care at times, as a good partner should
Sometimes you hurt me so bad, my tears run like water
You have the power to cause me great emotional pain, sometimes resulting in tears
You get me out right before your friends
You show off our relationship in front of others
And then you disown me baby, until we're alone again
But when we're alone, you distance yourself from me and pretend we have no connection
Your love is like a see saw
Your love is unpredictable and unstable, like a playground see-saw
Goin' up an' down, all around, like a see saw
Your affection fluctuates frequently, causing emotional highs and lows
Sometimes you tell me you don't need my sweet candy man
You claim that you don't desire my affection, even though you seemed to before
And then sometimes, baby, never know where I stand
Your behavior becomes so erratic that I cannot discern your true feelings towards me
You lift me up when I'm on the ground
You support me when I'm low and need help
But as soon as I get up, child, you send me tumbling down
But then you abandon me just as quickly, causing me to feel low again
When I kiss you and I like it
When we share physical intimacy and I enjoy it
And I ask you to kiss me again
And I express my desire for more affection
When I reach at you, you jump to lean out of sight
But then you avoid my advances and distance yourself
You change just like the wind
Your emotions and actions shift and change unexpectedly
That ain't right, that ain't right, that ain't right
This behavior is unfair and unjustified
Your love is like a see saw
Your affection continues to be unstable and unpredictable
Goin' up, goin' down, all around, it's like a see saw
Your treatment of me shifts back and forth with no consistency or predictability
Yeah, seesaw, baby
You continue to treat me like a see-saw, with no signs of changing your behavior
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Covay, Steve Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael McGovern
Shout out to THE BAND BEHIND Ms. Franklin!!!!
Ms Franklin's piano leads and she SOARS, but, the band...
From Wikipedia: includes all tracks on Arertha Now
Aretha Franklin – lead vocals (all), piano (1-5, 7, 10)
Tommy Cogbill – guitar (1-3, 10), bass guitar (6, 8-9)
Carolyn Franklin – background vocals (6, 8-9)
Roger Hawkins – drums (all)
Jerry Jemmott – bass guitar (1-5, 7, 10)
Jimmy Johnson – guitar (1, 3, 5-6, 8-10)
Spooner Oldham – Hammond organ (1, 5), electric piano (3, 6-7, 10), piano (8)
The Sweet Inspirations – background vocals (all)
Bobby Womack – guitar (6, 8-9)
Horns:
Floyd Newman – baritone saxophone
Willie Bridges – baritone saxophone (1, 3-5, 7, 10)
Charles Chalmers, Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
King Curtis, Seldon Powell – tenor saxophone
Bernie Glow, Wayne Jackson, Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman – trumpet
Haywood Henry – baritone saxophone (6, 8)
Tony Studd – bass trombone
Frank Wess – tenor saxophone, flute
All arrangements by Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin
Tom Dowd – engineering. [ed. note: GEEKS ROCK]
Debbie Lampert
How in the hell have I missed this fantastic song for 60 freaking years!?! OMG 😳
Wanda Price
Love this song
Clarissa Ann
Wow
Ger Dik
Same for me. 57 y.o. and only heard it yesterday on the radio!
Veg4Ev
One of my fav. of the 'Queen' of Soul not forgetting the musicians who made it possible especially the solo sax player
ginny white
this is the Stax record bunch
Beverly Dwyer
Growing up in the 60s and 70s I use to rely on Aretha’s words and badass music like this when I couldn’t express my own feelings into words … I’d get pissed and play songs like Seesaw good and loud .. 😂 Love this woman 💚😊😎☀️
Perdidos na História
Rainha, em toda a extensão da palavra❤
Gerard Galan
Love 😍 Black Queen 👑. 😎 Manouche. 😎.
LANGEL LOVE
GREAT ALBUM.
OUR FAMILY USE TO OWN THIS ALBUM AND MANAGED TO ENJOY
IT FROM COVER TO COVER.