Satisfaction
Aretha and Otis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
I have tried, I have tried
I have tried, I have tried

I can't get me no, ha-ha
And I can't get no, uh, now

When I'm driving in my car
And the man comes on the radio
Keep a-tellin' me more and more
About that useless information
He's tryin' to mess up my imagination

And I can get me no, no, no
And I can get me no
Hey, hey, hey, what I say?
You gotta, gotta, gotta-groovy
We gotta have it, we gotta have it
We gotta have it, we gotta have it
Keep on grooving, keep on grooving
We keep on grooving
Got, no, my, yeah, said

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no, no satisfaction
I have tried, I have tried
I have tried, I have tried, tried, tried
I can't get me no, no, no
And I can't get me no, no, no, no

We gotta groove it, groove it, oh my now
Keep-keep on knockin', knockin' baby, yeah
Ow, gotta, gotta have it, we gotta
Keep, keep, ah

Not ever, woman, she waits long time
This little girl is tryin' to put me down
I keep on runnin' round in my sleep
I keep on messin' up any beat
I keep on rockin', I try to find me
Somebody to love me
And give me some reaction
And I can find nobody, no, no, nobody
Give me no reaction, 'faction, 'faction got to have it
Satisfaction, we got to have it
Satisfaction, earlier in the morning

Satisfaction, later in the evening
Call it satisfaction, in the midnight hour

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aretha and Otis's song Satisfaction express the frustration of the singer in not being able to find true satisfaction in life despite trying various things. It starts off with the repeated phrase "I can't get no satisfaction" which sets the tone for the song. The singer then goes on to explain that even though they have tried, they still can't find satisfaction. They then describe a situation where they are driving in their car, and the radio presenter keeps providing useless information that is only messing up their imagination.

In the second half of the song, the singer continues to express their frustration in not being able to find satisfaction. They mention how they keep running around in their sleep and messing up any beat when they try to rock on. They then express their desire for somebody to love them and give them some reaction. However, they haven't been able to find anyone yet who can truly satisfy them.

Overall, the song expresses a feeling that many people can relate to- the idea that true satisfaction is elusive and hard to achieve. Despite the catchy, upbeat tune, the lyrics convey a sense of longing and dissatisfaction with life.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't get no satisfaction
Despite my efforts, I am unable to find any satisfaction

I have tried, I have tried
I have made multiple attempts

And I can't get me no, ha-ha
I am unable to get any satisfaction, no matter how hard I try

When I'm driving in my car
While I am operating a motor vehicle

And the man comes on the radio
One particular person starts to speak over the radio

Keep a-tellin' me more and more
Continuously sharing more and more information

About that useless information
Providing me with information that has no value or significance

He's tryin' to mess up my imagination
Their intent is to disrupt or negatively influence my imagination

And I can get me no, no, no
I am unable to achieve any satisfaction

Hey, hey, hey, what I say?
Indication of affirmation and agreement

You gotta, gotta, gotta-groovy
You have to find a way to be cool and enjoyable

We gotta have it, we gotta have it
We must get satisfaction

Keep on grooving, keep on grooving
Continuously move to the music

Got, no, my, yeah, said
An interjection showing excitement or enthusiasm

We gotta groove it, groove it, oh my now
We must keep moving and find enjoyment

Keep-keep on knockin', knockin' baby, yeah
Keep trying to achieve satisfaction

Ow, gotta, gotta have it, we gotta
We must obtain satisfaction

Not ever, woman, she waits long time
Women often wait a long time for satisfaction

This little girl is tryin' to put me down
This woman is trying to make me feel unhappy or insecure

I keep on runnin' round in my sleep
I am having trouble finding satisfaction, even in my dreams

I keep on messin' up any beat
I am ruining any situation where I could find satisfaction

I keep on rockin', I try to find me
I am searching for something to bring me satisfaction

Somebody to love me
Another individual to provide me with love and affection

And give me some reaction
Provide me with an appropriate emotional response

And I can find nobody, no, no, nobody
I am unable to find anyone to provide me with the satisfaction I seek

Give me no reaction, 'faction, 'faction got to have it
The fact that I am not receiving any reaction from others is painful, and I need satisfaction

Satisfaction, we got to have it
We must obtain satisfaction

Satisfaction, earlier in the morning
The need for satisfaction can arise at any time

Satisfaction, later in the evening
The need for satisfaction can come up at any time, regardless of the hour

Call it satisfaction, in the midnight hour
Even in the middle of the night, the need for satisfaction can still exist

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS