It is his second biggest hit in the U.S., reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Use Me
Bill Withers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep tryna tell me
All you want to do is use me
But my answer, yeah
Yeah, to all that use me stuff
I-i-i, and I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
My brother
Sit me right down and he talked to me
Oh-oh, he told me, yeah
That I ought not to let you just walk on me
And I'm sure he meant well
Yeah, but when our talk was through
I-i-i said, brother
If you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Oh-oh, sometimes
It's true, you really do abuse me
Oh, you get me in a crowd of high-class people
And then you act real rude to me
Aah-ha, but, oh baby, baby, baby, baby
When you love me, I can't get enough
I, I, I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Girl, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talkin' 'bout you usin' people
It all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're usin' me
'Cause I sure am usin' you
To do the things you do
Ah, how to do the things you do
The song "Use Me" by Bill Withers speaks about a toxic relationship where the singer is being used, but he allows it because he enjoys the feelings it brings. The opening lines state how the singer's friends keep warning him that all his lover wants is to use him. He refuses to listen to them and instead wants to spread the news that getting used feels good. He believes that the more his lover uses him, the better their relationship becomes, and he will allow it until she uses him up entirely.
In the second verse, the singer states that his brother has also advised him against letting his lover take advantage of him, but he disagrees. He feels that if his brother knew how good it felt to be used, he would wish he was in his position too. The singer further says that there are times when his lover abuses him and behaves rudely, especially in high-class gatherings. However, when she expresses her love for him, he can't get enough, and he wants to inform the world how pleasurable getting used can be.
The song focuses on the singer's self-destructive patterns and his willingness to be taken advantage of in a relationship because of the temporary pleasure it provides. It is also possible that the song speaks about a reliance on drugs or alcohol, which are often referred to as "use me up" substances. Overall, the song has a vibrant and upbeat tune that is in contrast to the darker subject matter, showing the resilience of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends feel it's their appointed duty
My acquaintances believe that it is their responsibility to warn me about your ulterior motives
They keep tryna tell me
They constantly try to persuade me
All you want to do is use me
Your sole intention is to take advantage of me
But my answer, yeah
Nevertheless, my reply is
Yeah, to all that use me stuff
I'm not amused by your selfish intentions
I-i-i, and I wanna spread the news
I want to share a message
That if it feels this good getting used
If being taken advantage of feels as satisfying as it does
Oh, you just keep on using me
Then, please continue to exploit me
Until you use me up
Until you exhaust all you can from me
My brother
My sibling
Sit me right down and he talked to me
Sat me down to have a conversation with me
Oh-oh, he told me, yeah
He informed me
That I ought not to let you just walk on me
I should not allow you to take advantage of me without consequences
And I'm sure he meant well
Although his intentions were pure
Yeah, but when our talk was through
However, when our conversation ended
I-i-i said, brother
I replied, brother
If you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
If you knew what I know, you would want to have my experiences instead of yours
Oh-oh, sometimes
Occasionally
It's true, you really do abuse me
It is indeed factual that you take unfair advantage of me
Oh, you get me in a crowd of high-class people
You put me in social settings with wealthy people
And then you act real rude to me
Afterwards, you treat me disrespectfully
Aah-ha, but, oh baby, baby, baby, baby
However, my dear
When you love me, I can't get enough
I crave your love and affection
Girl, you just keep on using me
My dear, please continue taking advantage of me
Talkin' 'bout you usin' people
Speaking about how you exploit others
It all depends on what you do
It relies on your actions
It ain't too bad the way you're usin' me
The way you are using me is not entirely negative
'Cause I sure am usin' you
Because I am taking advantage of you as well
To do the things you do
To accomplish the tasks that you do
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iffatmarufiza5982
That drum is just amazing
@phyllispetras2181
GADSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@terrystepp
Absolutely to go along with that funky groove
@RogueMonkeySeattle
Well im a drummer and im playing this song now! Im nailing it 💥
@fastaddicts5273
James Gadson arguably one of the best drummers of all time!!!!
@romanroberts4478
@@RogueMonkeySeattle so did you just comment that to try n demean his drumming skills or wut?
@winstonwolf6828
R.I.P to another legend of soul music
@jenniferbaker5167
Just came by to listen and celebrate him. RIP
@brianmcrae7724
Another legend gone 😢
@thornajal1045
This legends music got me through so many dark days. May he rest in peace.