Think
Aretha Franklin & Blues Brothers Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You better think (think)
Think about what you're trying to do to me
Think (think, think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free

Let's go back, let's go back
Let's go way on, way back when
I didn't even know you
You couldn't have been too much more than ten (just a child)
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees
But, it don't take too much high IQ's
To see what you're doing to me

You better think (think)
Think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free

Oh, freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom)
Oh, freedom, yeah, freedom
Freedom (freedom), oh, oh freedom (freedom)
Freedom, oh freedom

Hey, think about it, think about it

There ain't nothing you could ask
I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
But I was gonna change, but I'm not
If you keep doing things I don't

You better think (think)
Think about what you're trying to do to me
Oh Lord, think (think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free

People walking around everyday
Playing games, taking scores
Trying to make other people lose their minds
Ah, be careful you don't lose yours, oh

Think (think)
Think about what you're trying to do to me, ooh
Think (think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me)
And I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing people can do, oh

Oh, hey, think about it, baby (What are you trying to do me)
Yeah, oh baby, think about it now, yeah
(Think about forgiveness, dream about forgiveness)
Think about forgiveness
Think about it, baby, baby
Think about forgiveness




Think about forgiveness
Think about forgiveness

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aretha Franklin's song Think are a message to the person she is addressing. She opens the song by insisting that this person needs to take a moment to think about their actions and the impact they are having on her. She encourages them to let go of their thoughts, to free themselves and consider the consequences of their actions. Franklin then takes the listener through a journey back in time to a point where she did not know this person, highlighting that this person is relatively new to her life. She acknowledges that she does not hold any professional degrees, but notes that it does not take one to recognize what the person is doing to her. She then reiterates her earlier point, urging the person to think about their actions and how they are affecting her.


The chorus of the song 'Think' highlights the importance of freedom. The songstress insists that she wants to be free and have the freedom to think of herself and to decide what she wants for herself. She implores the person to consider this and to let her be free. As the song ends, it becomes apparent that the message of the song is geared towards everyone. Franklin highlights that people walk around every day, playing games and trying to make other people lose their minds. In the end, she encourages people to think about their actions and consider the impact they might have on people.


Line by Line Meaning

You better think (think)
You need to think carefully and seriously about your actions toward me.


Think about what you're trying to do to me
Consider the impact of what you're doing to me and how it affects me.


Think (think, think)
Emphasizing the importance of thinking about the situation and taking it seriously.


Let your mind go, let yourself be free
Allow yourself to be liberated from any negative thoughts or feelings and let yourself think clearly.


Let's go back, let's go back
Let's return to a previous time when things were simpler.


Let's go way on, way back when
Let's go back to a distant time in the past.


I didn't even know you
We didn't have any prior relationship or connection.


You couldn't have been too much more than ten (just a child)
You were very young and inexperienced at the time.


I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees
I don't have any professional qualifications, but I still know what's happening to me.


But, it don't take too much high IQ's
It doesn't take a genius to understand.


To see what you're doing to me
To recognize and comprehend the negative impact of the other person's actions.


Oh, freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom)
A joyful celebration of freedom and liberation.


Hey, think about it, think about it
Hey, take this seriously and think about it deeply.


There ain't nothing you could ask
There's nothing you could ask me that I don't already know.


I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I don't feel like answering your questions.


But I was gonna change, but I'm not
I was planning to adjust and be more flexible, but you're making it hard for me to do so.


If you keep doing things I don't
If you continue to do things that upset me or go against my wishes.


People walking around everyday
Everyone around us in their daily lives.


Playing games, taking scores
Engaging in manipulative, competitive behavior in order to win or get ahead.


Trying to make other people lose their minds
Aiming to drive others crazy or upset them through their actions.


Ah, be careful you don't lose yours, oh
Be mindful to not let others get to you and make you lose your own sanity and composure.


You need me (need me)
You require me to fulfill your needs or desires.


And I need you (don't you know)
I also have needs that require your assistance or involvement.


Without each other there ain't nothing people can do, oh
We're dependent on each other, and without one another we can't accomplish much.


Think about forgiveness
Consider the idea of forgiveness and its healing powers.


Think about it, baby
Seriously contemplate and reflect on the situation, my dear.


Think about forgiveness
Again, think about the possibility of forgiveness as a resolution to our problems.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SPRINGTIME MUSIC INC
Written by: Aretha Franklin, Ted White

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@galpeleg143

allow me to answer this:
Princess Bride
GodFather
Godfather 2
Highlander (1 ONLY !!!!! )
the good the bad and the ugly (or as i call it -> the Packo story :) )
empire strike back
blazing saddles
terminator (i'm of the minority who prefare 1 over 2)
and i'm sure many have more movies top add :) probably u to :)

Blues Brother is a GREAT MOVIE , a CONTENDER for SURE !!!!, but there is a STRONG competition on best movie ever :)



All comments from YouTube:

@FactBuffet

Dan Aykroyd would later say that his "legs, stomach and solar plexus turned to jelly" when Aretha started to sing during the filming of this scene.

@somedutchguy7582

Same thing here, every time!

@TheJerbol

Raising his arms above his head a couple times was too much?

@pattyayers

It was amazing, but she was lip-syncing, to herself obviously

@thismanismentallyinsane2982

​@@TheJerbol I think it's just that Aretha sings so good

@TheGermanObserver

Aretha was just from another planet. God, what a voice, what a woman!!! If I'd had the choice, I'd have stayed. ❤️

33 More Replies...

@StevieB8363

I love how Blue Lou kept his sax on hand, because you never know when you might have a spontaneous musical event happen in a diner. He was a true professional.

@fennugreek-gs5zb

The sax accompaniment really takes this version to another level. If you listen to the original you really miss it.

@thedorkone1516

Guy knew he lived in a musical comedy world.

@scarab944

Similarly, Matt "Guitar" Murphy somehow had his guitar in its case and ready to go at the end of the counter.

More Comments

More Versions