I Need You Baby
B.B. King Lyrics


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Oh I need you baby
Yes I need you baby
Oh I need you baby
Come on back home to me
I'll make it all up to you, woman
Just you wait around and see

I was wrong baby
I thought I was having fun
I know I was wrong baby
I thought I was having fun
Yes I was young and foolish
I didn't know you was the one

Now I've settled down baby
And I know I'll treat you right
Oh I've settled down baby
And I know I'll treat you right
Yes, come on home now baby
I want you to come on home tonight

Oh I need you baby
Yes I need you baby
Well I need you woman
I need a good woman around




Every night about this time baby
My love comes tumbling down

Overall Meaning

In "I Need You Baby," B.B. King is expressing his longing for his lover to return to him. The repetition of the title phrase emphasizes just how important she is to him. He promises to make it up to her, but also takes responsibility for his past mistakes. He admits that he was wrong and foolish to think that he could have fun without her. Now that he has settled down, he knows that he can treat her right.


The lyrics are simple, but convey a powerful message of love and regret. King's soulful voice adds to the emotional intensity of the song. He sounds vulnerable as he pleads for his lover to come back to him, but there is also a sense of determination in his words. He knows what he wants and he will do whatever it takes to make it happen.


Overall, "I Need You Baby" is a classic blues love song that has stood the test of time. It speaks to the universal experience of missing someone you love and wanting them to return to you. King's talent as both a guitarist and a vocalist is on full display in this song, making it a must-listen for fans of blues music.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh I need you baby
Expressing a strong desire for the subject of the song, expressing how the singer is incomplete without their baby


Yes I need you baby
Reiterating the strong desire for the baby, and implying that the need is urgent


Oh I need you baby
Continuing to emphasize the cruciality of the presence of the baby in the singer's life


Come on back home to me
Asking the subject of the song to return home to the singer, providing a possible reason for the singer's unhappiness and longing


I'll make it all up to you, woman
Acknowledging that the singer has wronged their beloved and promising to make amends in their relationship


Just you wait around and see
Imploring the subject of the song to wait and see for themselves that the singer is serious and committed to the relationship this time


I was wrong baby
Admitting fault for mistakes made in the past that caused issues in the relationship


I thought I was having fun
Explaining the motives behind the past mistakes, that the singer was seeking entertainment or enjoyment at the expense of their relationship


I know I was wrong baby
Accepting full responsibility for the damage they've caused in the relationship


Yes I was young and foolish
Justifying the past bad behavior due to a lack of life experience and wisdom


I didn't know you was the one
Suggesting that the singer was unaware of the subject of the song's importance to them until after the mistakes were made and the damage was done


Now I've settled down baby
Stating that the singer has now matured and is willing to commit to a healthy relationship


And I know I'll treat you right
Expressing confidence in their ability to make the relationship work and treat the subject of the song with the love and respect they deserve


Come on home now baby
Reiterating the earlier request for the subject of the song to return home to the singer, confirming that the singer believes they are now capable of providing a safe and loving home for the subject of the song


I want you to come on home tonight
Adding urgency to the request for the subject of the song to come home, emphasizing the singer's need for their presence


Well I need you woman
Making it clear that the subject of the song is a highly valued and essential part of the singer's life


I need a good woman around
Further emphasizing that the singer not only needs the subject of the song back, but that they specifically need a compatible and positive partner in their life


Every night about this time baby
Providing an anecdote about the singer's daily life and routine, inviting the subject of the song to be a part of it and share in their experiences


My love comes tumbling down
Illustrating how the singer's love for the subject of the song overwhelms them and feels all-consuming, further highlighting the necessity of their presence in the singer's life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULES BIHARI, RILEY B. KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Always On My Mind

Here's BB King's Version - Lyrics

Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I should have
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I could have

If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm sorry I was blind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
I guess I never told you
That I am so happy that you're mine
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
ou were always on my mind

If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm sorry I was blind

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To satisfied
I'll keep you satisfied

Musical Interlude

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To satisfied
I'll keep you satisfied

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