I Must Have That Man
Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't need a friend
My heart is broken
It won't ever mend
I ain't much carin'
Just where I will end
I must have that man
That's cryin' for heat
He treats me awful
Each time that we meet
It's just unlawful
How that boy can cheat
But I must have that man
He's hot as Hades
A lady's not safe in his arms
When she's kissed
But I'm afraid that he's cooled off
And maybe I'm ruled off his list
I'll never be missed
I need that person much worse'n just bad
I'm falf alive and it's drivin' me mad
He's only human if he's to be had
I must have that man
Don't want my mammy
I don't need a friend
My heart is broken
It won't ever mend
I ain't much carin'
Just where I will end
I must have that man
I'm like an oven
That's cryin' for heat
He treats me awful
Each time that we meet
It's just unlawful
How that boy can cheat
But I must have that man
He's hot as Hades
A lady's not safe in his arms
When she's kissed
But I'm afraid that he's cooled off
And maybe I'm ruled off his list
I'll never be missed
I need that person much worse'n just bad
I'm half alive and it's drivin' me mad
He's only human if he's to be had
I must have that man
"I Must Have That Man" is a song made famous by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra in 1937. The song was written by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh. The song is an expressionistic piece by which the character of Lady Day explains her need for a man who she doesn't trust and who has treated her terribly, solely based on her passion for him. The opening lines speak of her heartbreak and depression, and she insists on her need to have her lover in her life, regardless of the cost.
Billie Holiday's delivery was one of the contributing factors that added to the classic feel of the song. Her voice is raw and expressive, and when she sings the lyrics "I'm like an oven that's crying for heat," she conveys such longing and desire, and when she sings about how that boy cheats, the listener can understand the conflict and the passion that the singer is feeling.
The song is also famous for beginning the School of Swing era. Tommy Dorsey, who was one of the most reputable trombone players, took the trumpet's lead and gave it to Bunny Berigan, who ran through the melody of "I Must Have That Man, marking the first time that a big band had played rhythmically complex-brass lines in ensemble-facing vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't want my mammy
I don't need anyone to take care of me
I don't need a friend
I don't need someone to console me or be there for me
My heart is broken
I am deeply hurt emotionally
It won't ever mend
My pain and sorrow will never go away or be healed
I ain't much carin'
I don't care much about anything or where my life is headed
Just where I will end
I am uncertain about my future and where life will ultimately lead me
I must have that man
I need and desire that man above anything else, even if he is bad for me
I'm like an oven
I am a burning flame of passion and desire
That's cryin' for heat
That longs for physical intimacy and affection
He treats me awful
He mistreats and abuses me every time we are together
Each time that we meet
Every encounter with him is filled with pain and disappointment
It's just unlawful
His behavior towards me is morally wrong and unjustifiable
How that boy can cheat
He has a habit of being unfaithful and disloyal to me
But I must have that man
Despite his flaws and negative behavior, I still desire and crave him
He's hot as Hades
He is incredibly attractive and alluring, but also dangerous
A lady's not safe in his arms
Being in his embrace could put me in harm's way
When she's kissed
Even a simple kiss from him can be intense and emotionally overwhelming
But I'm afraid that he's cooled off
I am worried that his feelings for me have diminished or disappeared
And maybe I'm ruled off his list
Perhaps he has decided that he no longer wants to be with me
I'll never be missed
If he does leave me, he won't care or think about me anymore
I need that person much worse'n just bad
I need him so desperately that it goes beyond simply wanting him
I'm half alive and it's drivin' me mad
My need for him is so intense that it is affecting my mental and emotional state
He's only human if he's to be had
He is not perfect, but if he is available, I still want him
I must have that man
Above all else, I need and desire him, even if it leads to my own destruction
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barry Liknaitzky
Sublime!
Liam Watson
Everyone performing here would later record for Verve Records.