Spoonful
Bo Diddley Muddy Waters & Little Walter Lyrics

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It could be a spoonful of coffee
It could be a spoonful of tea
But one little spoon of your precious love
Is good enough for me

Men lie about that spoonful
Some cry about that spoonful
Some die about that spoonful

Everybody fight about a spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful

It could be a spoonful of water
To save you from the desert sand
But one spoon of love1 from my forty-five
Will save you from another man
Men lie about that spoonful
Some cry about that spoonful
Some die about that spoonful
Everybody fight about a spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful

It could be a spoonful of sugar
It could be a spoonful of tea
But one little spoon of your precious love
Is good enough for me
Men lie about that spoonful
Some cry about that spoonful
Some die about that spoonful
Everybody fight about a spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful

It could be a spoonful of sugar
It could be a spoonful of tea
But one little spoon of your precious love
Is good enough for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bo Diddley's song Spoonful can be interpreted as someone expressing their desire for their lover's attention and affection. The singer describes how a spoonful of mundane items like coffee, tea, or water cannot measure up to the joy and euphoria he feels when he receives a spoonful of his partner's love. He continues to emphasize how everyone in the world fights over love as if it were a valuable commodity, showcasing how everyone seeks to attain the same happiness that comes with receiving love.

The singer highlights the gravity of this love - some lie, cry or die about it. He then personifies his love, describing how one spoonful saved him from "another man" and emphasizing how a little bit of it is enough to suffice. The constant repetition of the word "spoonful" emphasizes the idea that love is a precious commodity, having the power to heal and unite people.

Line by Line Meaning

It could be a spoonful of coffee
Maybe it's just a simple thing, like coffee.

It could be a spoonful of tea
Or it could be something else, like tea.

But one little spoon of your precious love Is good enough for me
But all I really want is a little love from you.

Men lie about that spoonful
People will go to great lengths to have what they want.

Some cry about that spoonful
And some people are left heartbroken when they don't get it.

Some die about that spoonful
In extreme cases, people will even risk their lives for it.

Everybody fight about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful
Everyone wants it, and they'll do whatever they can to get it.

It could be a spoonful of water To save you from the desert sand
Sometimes it's not about love, but about survival.

But one spoon of love1 from my forty-five Will save you from another man
But when it is about love, it's a fierce competition.

It could be a spoonful of sugar It could be a spoonful of tea But one little spoon of your precious love Is good enough for me
In the end, it all comes back to wanting that one little thing – love.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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