Do You Love Me
Berry Gordy Lyrics

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You broke my heart 'cause I couldn't dance,
You didn't even want me around.
And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down.

Do you love me?
(I can really move, )
Do you love me?
(I'm in the groove.)

Now do you love me?
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
Watch me, now.
(Work, work)
Ah,work it out baby.
(work, work)
Well, you're drivin' me crazy.
(work, work)
With just a little bit of soul, now
(work!)
Now I can mash potatoes, I can do the twist,
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?
Tell me,
(Tell me,)
Tell me.

Do you love me?
(I can really move, )
Do you love me?
(I'm in the groove.)
Now do you love me?
(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
Watch me, now.
(Work, work)
Ah,work it out baby.
(work, work)
Well, you're drivin' me crazy.
(work, work)
With just a little bit of soul, now
(work!)
Now I can mash potatoes, I can do the twist,
Tell me, baby, do you like it like this?

Tell me,
(Tell me,)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Berry Gordy's "Do You Love Me" speak to the power and confidence that can come with physical movement, specifically dancing. The singer of the song has been rejected by a lover because they couldn't dance, leading to heartbreak and exclusion from their social circle. However, through practice and self-improvement, they have returned to impress their former partner and demonstrate their newfound ability to "mash potatoes" and "do the twist." The chorus repeatedly asks the titular question of whether the lover now loves the singer now that they can dance, emphasizing the importance of physical ability in romantic attraction.

Line by Line Meaning

You broke my heart 'cause I couldn't dance,
You caused me pain because I lacked the ability to dance.

You didn't even want me around.
You didn't want me near you because of my lack of dancing skills.

And now I'm back to let you know I can really shake 'em down.
I have returned to demonstrate my newfound dancing skills and impress you.

Do you love me?
Do you have affection for me?

(I can really move, )
(I can dance very well,)

Do you love me?
Do you have affection for me?

(I'm in the groove.)
(I am perfectly synchronized with the music and rhythm of the song.)

Now do you love me?
Now that I can dance so well, do you have affection for me?

(Do you love me now that I can dance?)
(Now that I have showcased my dancing abilities, do you love me?)

Watch me, now.
Observe me closely, now.

(Work, work)
(Exert myself and dance energetically)