Billy Stewart began singing publicly with his mother's group, the Stewart Gospel Singers, as a teenager. He made the transition to secular music by filling in occasionally for the Rainbows, a D.C. area vocal group led by future soul star Don Covay. It was also through the Rainbows that Stewart met another aspiring singer, a very young Marvin Gaye. Seminal rock and roller Bo Diddley has been credited with discovering Stewart playing piano in Washington, D.C. in 1956 and inviting him to be one of his backup musicians. This led to a recording contract with Bo Diddley's label, Chess Records, and Bo Diddley played guitar on Stewart's 1956 recording of "Billy's Blues". Stewart then moved to Okeh Records and recorded "Billy's Heartache" backed by the Marquees, another D.C. area group which was now featuring Marvin Gaye.
Back at Chess in the early 1960s, Stewart began working with A&R man Billy Davis. He cut a song called "Fat Boy". Showing additional promise with his recordings of "Reap What You Sow" and "Strange Feeling", major chart success was not far away. Stewart hit both the pop and R&B charts big in 1965 with the songs, “I Do Love You” and “Sitting in the Park.” His improvisational technique of doubling-up, scatting his words and trilling his lips made his style unique in the 1960s.
In 1966, wishing to appeal to a wider audience, Stewart recorded the LP "Billy Stewart Teaches Old Standards New Tricks" in 1966. The first single released from that album was Billy's radical stand-out interpretation of the George Gershwin classic "Summertime", a top ten hit on both the pop and R&B charts in 1966. The follow-up single was Billy's remake of the Doris Day hit "Secret Love", which just missed the top ten on the R&B chart.
While Stewart continued to record throughout the remainder of the 1960s, his weight problem worsened and he developed diabetes. He also suffered minor injuries in a motorcycle accident in 1969. His life was tragically cut short on January 17, 1970, just 2 months prior to his 33rd birthday, when the car he was driving plunged into the Neuse River in North Carolina, killing him and three members of his band.
Billy Stewart was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association Hall of Fame in 1982.
I Do Love You
Billy Stewart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All alright
I do love you, yes, I do now
I do love you, yes, I do now
I do love you
Oh, I love a you so a right now
Little darlin' I said, I love a you so a right now
Never, never gonna let, gonna let, gonna let you go, no, no, no
Pretty little baby said, I want you to try
To understand a that I, that I, that I
I want to be your lover man
Aw baby, love a me so a
I don't want you to go, no, no, no, no, no
Why don't you decide to be
I'll take you all of my dreams now
Oh, I love you, I pray for your love
Woulda come to me a someday
Because I love you so bad now
It's about to drive a me
Mad girl, I said
I do love you
I do love you (ouuh)
Oh I love you
And I need you
The lyrics to Billy Stewart's song "I Do Love You" convey a deep sense of love and commitment to a special someone. The repeated refrain of "I do love you" emphasizes the sincerity of the emotions being expressed. The singer is unequivocal in his expression of love - there are no doubts in his mind that his feelings are real and all-encompassing. The lines "I love a you so a right now" and "Never, never gonna let, gonna let, gonna let you go" further emphasize the depth of the singer's feelings - he is completely devoted to his love and would do anything to hold onto that love.
The second half of the song shows the singer pleading with his lover to reciprocate his feelings. He asks her to "try to understand" his desire to be with her and declares that he "want[s] to be [her] lover man". The singer's raw emotions are palpable in every line; he is hopelessly in love and cannot bear the thought of losing his love. He admits that his feelings are so strong that they are "about to drive [him] mad" and he prays for his love to one day be reciprocated.
The lyrics of "I Do Love You" therefore portray an intense sense of love and devotion that is all-encompassing and all-consuming. Billy Stewart's passionate delivery further reinforces the depth and sincerity of the emotions being expressed. This song is a true classic and has touched the hearts of listeners for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I do love you, but it's
I am in love with you, but everything is fine between us
All alright
No issues or problems, just unconditional love
I do love you, yes, I do now
I truly, deeply love you without any doubt
Oh, I love a you so a right now
I have an intense love for you beyond any explanation
Now a my, my, baby yeah, yeah, yeah
You are my precious baby and I will always love you
Little darlin' I said, I love a you so a right now
Darling, I am confessing my undying love for you right now
Never, never gonna let, gonna let, gonna let you go, no, no, no
I will always hold on to you and never let you go
Pretty little baby said, I want you to try
My sweet little baby, please make an effort to understand my love for you
To understand a that I, that I, that I
I want you to realize the strength of my love for you
I want to be your lover man
I desire to be your lifelong partner and lover
Aw baby, love a me so a
Baby, love only me with the same intensity as I do
I don't want you to go, no, no, no, no, no
I can't fathom the thought of you leaving me
Why don't you decide to be
Make a choice to be with me
I'll take you all of my dreams now
I am offering you all of my hopes and aspirations in life
Oh, I love you, I pray for your love
I not only love you but also long for your affection in return
Woulda come to me a someday
I am hopeful that one day you will love me as much as I love you
Because I love you so bad now
My love for you is so strong that it hurts
It's about to drive a me
My love for you is overwhelming me emotionally
Mad girl, I said
I am telling you passionately, girl
I do love you
My love for you is sincere and truthful
I do love you (ouuh)
My love for you is unwavering and forever
Oh I love you
My feelings of love for you are immense
And I need you
My love and craving for you is insatiable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Markman
I cry every time I hear this. Not just because the song is so beautiful but also because Stewart died way too young. Very few people today know what a talent he was. That voice was so amazing! RIP Billy.
Militzaadrid
...was he ill?
Lenore Padden
Love his voice. I did not know he died young. I'm sad too.
Wayne James
@Militzaadrid his brothers where his background singers that's why the harmony was so tight.
Wayne James
I think it was an automobile accident.
Michael Delattibeaudiere
Right on.
Sapele Steve
This song is definitely one of the best oldies ever written & recorded. It just doesn't get much better than this folks! 👍👍
Roger Brown
Billy need to be in the rock and roll hall of fame with his distinctive voice.
Asaliasali Molina
Well lets shake rattle and roll letsmake a stink into thegreatest lovesongthst everrang plz
Roger Brown
@Asaliasali Molina whenever you ready