Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals was formed by American singer-songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals was formed by American singer-songwriter Ben Harper in 1999 for the album Burn to Shine. The band features Juan Nelson on bass, Leon Mobley on percussion, Oliver Charles on drums (although Dean Butterworth was on the drums for multiple albums from 1999 until the release of Diamonds on the Inside) , backup/lead guitarists (featuring Marc Ford and Michael Ward), and various keyboard players including Jason Yates. While Harper's latest efforts have been solo-credited, the Innocent Criminals remain his backing band, led by Nelson's ever affable presence.

Sexual Healing
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh baby, now let's get down tonight
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven
Woah, I need your lovin'
And baby, I can't hold it much longer
Now it's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get this feeling
I need sexual healing, sexual healing

It makes me feel so fine
It helps to relieve the mind
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something
That is so very good for me

Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
Oh no, and my emotional stability is leaving me
But there is something I can do
Oh, I can get on the telephone or call you up, baby
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me

So if you don't know the things you're dealing
Woah, I can tell you darling, oh, it's sexual healing
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Let's make love tonight
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
'Cause you do it right

Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling

Baby, you know I got sick this morning
Woah, a sea was storming up inside of me
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
Oh, the waves are rising
And when I get this feeling
I want sexual healing
Sexual healing

It makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
It helps to relieve the mind, Lord, it's good for us
Sexual healing is good for me
Sexual healing is something so, so good for me

Oh, it's so good for us, oh, it's so good to me, my baby
Woah-woah-woah
Just grab a hold, come take control
Of my body and mind, soon we'll be making love, honey
Hope we do it fine

You're my medicine
Open up and let me in
Oh, darling, darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate, uh

(Heal me, my darling) I can't wait for you to operate
(Heal me, my darling) I can't wait for you to operate
(Heal me, darling) I can't wait for you to heal me
Heal me, my darling

Heal me, my darling
(Heal me, my darling) I can't wait for you to
(Heal me, my darling) oh baby, whenever these blue teardrops are falling

(Heal me, darling) you know I could call in
(Heal me) my darling

Overall Meaning

The song "Sexual Healing" is a classic R&B song, released in 1982 by Marvin Gaye. Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals covered the song in their own style, adding their unique rock and blues sound to the already soulful classic. The lyrics of the song explore the desire for sexual intimacy with a partner, specifically the healing power that it can have. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and need for this type of intimacy, as the singer is struggling with emotional instability and physical discomfort. The use of "sexual healing" as a metaphor for emotional and physical healing is the main theme of the song, emphasizing the importance of intimacy and connection in supporting overall well-being.

The lyrics also suggest that the singer has a specific person in mind for this type of healing, as they mention being able to call them up when feeling these emotions. This highlights the importance of having a supportive partner who can provide comfort and aid in times of need. The use of simple, repetitive lines throughout the song adds to the feeling of urgency and desire for healing.

Overall, the lyrics of "Sexual Healing" are an exploration of the importance of intimate connection for physical and emotional well-being, portrayed through powerful metaphors and emotive language.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh baby now let's get down tonight
Let's have sex tonight

Baby, I'm hot just like your oven
I'm feeling very horny

I need some lovin'
I need to have sex

And baby, I can't hold it much longer
I'm going to orgasm soon

It's getting stronger and stronger
My sexual desire is increasing

When I get this feeling I want Sexual healing Sexual healing
When I'm feeling this way, I want to have sex to feel better

It makes me feel so fine It helps to relieve my mind
Sex is good for me both physically and mentally

Sexual healing, is good for us Sexual healing is something that is so very good for me
Sex is not only good for me, but also good for us as a couple

Whenever these blue tear drops are falling, oh no And my emotional stability is leaving me
When I'm feeling down and stressed, sex can help me feel better

But there is something I can do Oh I can get on the telephone and call you up baby Darling I know you'll be there to relieve me
I can call you to come and have sex with me to help me feel better

The love you give to me will free me So if you don't know the things you're dealing Well I can tell you darling, oh it's Sexual healing
Your love and sex can help me get through tough times

Get up, get up, get up, get up Let's make love tonight Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up 'Cause you do it right Heal me, my darling
Let's have sex now because it feels great and you're good at it

Baby, I got sick this morning Well a sea was storming inside of me Baby, I think I'm capsizing The waves are rising and rising
My sexual desire is so strong that it's making me physically sick and overwhelmed

Soon we'll be making love Honey, oh we're feeling fine You're my medicine open up and let me in Oh Darling darling, you're so great
Sex is like medicine to me and you're amazing at it

I can't wait for you to operate I can't wait for you to heal me
I can't wait to have sex with you

Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Ritz, Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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