Since You've Been Gone
Booker T & The MG's Lyrics
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There's something that I just got to say
Baby baby, sweet baby
You left me hurtin' in a real cold way
Speak your name
And I'll feel a thrill
You said I do
I tell you that I'll stay true
and give you just a little time
Wait on me baby,
I want you to be all mine
I just get so blue
Since you've been gone, baby
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
(bridge)
Baby baby, sweet baby
I didn't mean to run you away
It was pride on my lips,
But not in my heart
To say the things that made you stray
But ah, babe
Hear me now
(hear me)
I don't know what I'm gonna do
(hear me)
Got to get you back somehow
(hear me now)
Oh, take me back,
consider me please
If you walk in that door,
I can get up off my knees
I just been so blue
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Well I've been so lonely
(sweet sweet, sweet sweet baby)
Baby, since you've been gone
(sweet sweet, sweet sweet baby)
I've been so lonely
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Baby baby baby been so lonely
(sweet sweet, sweet sweet baby)
The song "Since You've Been Gone" by Booker T & The MG's talks about the feeling of loneliness and regret after a breakup. The lyrics convey the message that the singer still loves their ex-lover and is pleading for them to come back. The first verse expresses the pain that the singer feels due to the absence of their partner. The second verse talks about the promises made in the relationship and the struggle to stay faithful even after the relationship has ended. The bridge describes the singer's apology for their pride and begs for another chance to make things right. The chorus repeats the phrase "Since You've Been Gone" and asks the rhetorical question, “Why’d you do it? Why’d you have to do it?"
The song has a soulful and upbeat feel to it, which is a common theme in the music produced by Booker T & The MG's. The instrumental aspect of the song features a lively organ, groovy guitar riffs, and a strong bassline that complements the vocals. The use of repetition in the lyrics, in both the chorus and bridge, creates a memorable tune for the listener to sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby baby, sweet baby
Addressing the person they care about in an affectionate manner
There's something that I just got to say
Starting a conversation about their feelings
You left me hurtin' in a real cold way
Expressing how much pain they felt
Speak your name
Remembering the good times they had when they were together
And I'll feel a thrill
Nostalgic, thinking of how happy they were together
You said I do
Reflecting on their commitment to each other
And I said I will
Recalling their own promise to always stay true
I tell you that I'll stay true
Reiterating their promise to be loyal
and give you just a little time
Asking for patience and understanding
Wait on me baby,
Assuring their partner that they still want to be together
I want you to be all mine
Declaring their love and desire for exclusivity
I just get so blue
Admitting how much they missed the person they lost
Since you've been gone, baby
Acknowledging their absence
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Questioning why their partner left them
(bridge)
Transition between the first and second verse
I didn't mean to run you away
Admitting their responsibility in the break-up
It was pride on my lips,
Explaining that their ego got in the way of their relationship
But not in my heart
Clarifying that their true feelings were not reflected in their actions
To say the things that made you stray
Realizing that their words had driven their partner away
But ah, babe
Expressing regret and remorse
Hear me now
Requesting their partner's attention
(hear me)
Repeating the request for attention
I don't know what I'm gonna do
Feeling unsure about how to fix things
(hear me)
Repeating the request for attention
Got to get you back somehow
Desperately wanting to reunite with their partner
(hear me now)
Stressing the urgency of their plea
Oh, take me back,
Begging their partner for forgiveness and a second chance
consider me please
Asking their partner to think about reconciling
If you walk in that door,
Describing an ideal scenario where their partner comes back to them
I can get up off my knees
Feeling that their life would be complete if their partner returned
Since you've been gone
Continuing to express how much they missed their partner
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Repeating their questions about why their partner left
Well I've been so lonely
Admitting that they've been unhappy without their partner
(sweet sweet, sweet sweet baby)
Expressing affection for their partner
Baby, since you've been gone
Repeating how much they missed their partner
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Ending the song with unanswered questions about the break-up
Baby baby baby been so lonely
Reiterating their feelings of loneliness and longing for their partner
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SPRINGTIME MUSIC INC
Written by: ARETHA FRANKLIN, TED WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind