I Never Loved A Man
Aretha Franklin (Holiday) Lyrics


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You're a no good heart breaker
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, but they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could

I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
'Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

Some time ago I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again

Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
'Cause I ain't never
Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

I can't sleep at night
And I can't even fight
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me

Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad





No
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it

Overall Meaning

In Aretha Franklin's hit song "I Never Loved a Man," the lyrics describe a tumultuous and dysfunctional relationship. The singer is addressing a partner who she describes as a "no good heart breaker," a "liar," and a "cheat," yet she is unable to let go of the relationship. Despite her friends' warnings about her partner's poor character, she confesses that she would leave him "if she could." She then goes on to describe how she has never loved a man the way that she loves him, even though she is clearly unhappy with the relationship.


Through her lyrics, Franklin captures the complex emotions of love and obsession, as well as the confusion and vulnerability that often come with romantic relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer knows that the relationship is not healthy but is still unable to break free from her partner's hold on her. They also depict the self-doubt that can arise when someone is in a relationship with a partner who mistreats them, such as the feeling that they are not worthy of love and respect.


Overall, Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man" is a powerful song that touches on themes of love, heartbreak, and unhealthy relationships, and its lyrics have resonated with audiences for decades.


Line by Line Meaning

You're a no good heart breaker
You are a person who breaks hearts and does not have any good qualities.


You're a liar and you're a cheat
You are untruthful and dishonest.


And I don't know why
I am unsure why I let you treat me this way.


I let you do these things to me
I allowed you to treat me poorly.


My friends keep telling me
My acquaintances repeatedly inform me.


That you ain't no good
You are not an honorable person.


But oh, but they don't know
My acquaintances lack an understanding of this situation.


That I'd leave you if I could
If possible, I would depart from this relationship.


I guess I'm uptight
I am apprehensive.


And I'm stuck like glue
I am strongly attached and cannot remove myself.


'Cause I ain't never
As I have not had prior experience.


I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
I have never loved a man before.


(The way that I, I love you)
The depth and intensity of my love for you is exceptional.


Some time ago I thought
Previously I believed.


You had run out of fools
You had no more prospects to use.


But I was so wrong
I was mistaken.


You got one that you'll never lose
You have found someone that you will not let go of.


The way you treat me is a shame
Your actions towards me are disgraceful.


How could ya hurt me so bad
It is difficult to fathom how you caused me so much pain.


Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
You recognize that I am a valuable partner.


That you ever had
Of all your relationships, I am the most important.


Kiss me once again
Please show me affection one more time.


Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
Do not end our relationship.


'Cause I ain't never
As I have not had previous experience.


Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
I have never loved a man before.


(The way that I, I love you)
The depth and intensity of my love for you is exceptional.


I can't sleep at night
I am unable to rest during the night.


And I can't even fight
I am unable to resist or argue.


I guess I'll never be free
It appears I will always be under your control.


Since you got, your hooks, in me
As you have a strong hold on me.


Whoa, oh, oh
Expressing emotional feelings.


Yeah! Yeah!
Expressing agreement with previous statements.


I ain't never loved a man
I have never loved a man before.


I ain't never loved a man, baby
I have never loved a man before, my dear.


Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
I have never experienced such pain from a man before.


No
Emphatically no.


Well this is what I'm gonna do about it
I have a plan to address this situation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONNIE SHANNON

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

@mhayes33120

I'm a white guy born in the 50's.
I have very eclectic taste in music.
Love to listen to Aretha sing.
She sang like you talk, when you
are being honest, and saying what
is deep inside { the real you } .

Genuine, sincere, and above all soulful.
Thank You Ms. Franklin.
You were, still are, and will always be, pleasing to the ears.



@beatricekazadimbuyi2727

You're a no good heartbreaker
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could

I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
'Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

Some time ago, I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again

Don'cha never, never say that we we're through
'Cause I ain't never
Never, never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)

I can't sleep at night
And I can't eat a bite
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me

Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad

No
Well, this is what I'm gonna do about it
I tell you, I'm gonna...
Whoa-oh, no baby
I tell you, I'm gonna...
Whoa-oh, oh

Traduire en français



All comments from YouTube:

@angelafisher299

Can't NOBODY sing this song like Aretha. This song was about her husband at the time. I feel every emotion in her voice.

@angelafisher299

@yourmanwatson You are correct about the songwriter and he wrote a very touching song. According to several books that I have on Miss Franklin, the song was inspired by her toxic marriage. She loved Ted White, but wasn't willing to let him go despite pleas from family and friends. Mr. Shannon and Miss Franklin (and others) created a classic.

@angelafisher299

@yourmanwatson Thank you as well. You know you are very wise with music. I'm always open to learning. Many blessings to you in the New Year.

@tayler7366

please go listen to the way cynthia erivo sings it

@angelafisher299

@Tayler I have listened to the lovely Cynthia Erivo singing this song. She is extremely gifted. I enjoyed " Genius ", the FX series on Aretha.

@zimbinisishuba7391

Jhud tried but can't sing the way the queen sang it.Woow with that sexy voice

6 More Replies...

@J.EStokes

This hit way different when you actually in this situation!

@TheVerbalAssassinFAFO

Chiiile. . .you ain't neva lied smh

@ADDAuntDawnDisorder

FS! Lord have mercy. Those young passionate days of life made us make some wildly bad decisions. Tryna get my dtr to NOT do this!🙏💪

@Android.26

There will never be another Ms Aretha Franklin. We are honored to have lived during the time she was on this earth.

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