Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
She Needs Me
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He doesn't know it, but he needs me.
And so no matter where he goes,
Though he doesn't care,
He knows that I'm here.
He needs me.
I ought to leave him, but he needs me.
Just to tag along,
Oh, but right or wrong
I'm his and I'm here,
And I'm gonna be his friend or his lover.
'Cause my one ambition is
To wake him and make him discover
That he needs me.
I've got to follow where he leads me
Or else he'll never know that I need him
Just as he needs me.
The song "She Needs Me" by Bobby Darin is a poignant portrayal of unrequited love. The singer is fully aware that the object of her affection does not reciprocate her feelings, but she cannot bring herself to leave him. In fact, she feels compelled to stay by his side, even though she knows it may not be in her best interest. The lines "I ought to leave him, but he needs me / I know that I ain't very bright / Just to tag along" speak to the singer's conflict between her head and her heart. Her head tells her to leave, while her heart tells her to stay.
The refrain of "He needs me" is repeated throughout the song, underscoring the singer's belief that she is indispensable to the object of her affection. She sees herself as his true friend and lover, willing to follow him wherever he may go. Her one ambition, she declares, is to make him see that he needs her just as much as she needs him. The song's final lines are both bittersweet and hopeful: "Or else he'll never know that I need him / Just as he needs me." The singer seems resigned to her fate, but still holds out hope that someday her love will be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
He needs me.
I am important to him and he depends on me.
He doesn't know it, but he needs me.
He may not realize it, but I am essential to his well-being.
And so no matter where he goes,
I will be there for him, no matter where he goes.
Though he doesn't care,
Even if he doesn't seem to appreciate it,
He knows that I'm here.
he knows that I am always present.
He needs me.
He cannot handle everything by himself, he needs my support.
I ought to leave him, but he needs me.
Although I might have a reason to leave him, I cannot abandon him because he counts on me.
I know that I ain't very bright
I may not be the smartest, but I understand what he needs.
Just to tag along,
Even if my role seems insignificant,
Oh, but right or wrong I'm his and I'm here,
I am committed to him, even if it is not the right decision.
And I'm gonna be his friend or his lover.
I am willing to take on any responsibility to support him, whether it be as a friend or lover.
'Cause my one ambition is
My only goal in life is
To wake him and make him discover
to help him realize
That he needs me.
how much he relies on me.
I've got to follow where he leads me
I am willing to go wherever he goes and support him at all times.
Or else he'll never know that I need him
If I don't follow him, he might never understand how much I depend on him too.
Just as he needs me.
I need him just as much as he needs me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY NILSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.