Somebody
Bryan Adams/Jim Vallance Lyrics

I've been lookin' for someone
The singer has been actively seeking a specific person or connection

Between the fire and the flame
This might refer to the singer's position between two extremes or to the struggle of choosing between passion and danger

We're all lookin' for something
All people have a desire for contentment or fulfillment

To ease the pain
The something mentioned before is sought for to alleviate emotional distress or hurt

Now who can you turn to
The singer poses a rhetorical question about the difficulty of finding dependable sources of support or guidance

When it's all black and white
When situations present only two absolute choices, one right and one wrong

And the winners are losers
The supposed victors or successful ones do not give the satisfaction they should, and they also face their own troubles

You see it every night
The singer emphasizes that this is a widespread observation

I need somebody
The singer declares his need for companionship or love

Somebody like you
The singer specifies the qualities he is seeking in a romantic partner

Everybody needs somebody
The singer states a general truth about human needs

Hey what about you
The singer addresses the listener, wondering if they also recognize their need for love or companionship

When you're out on the front line
This could refer to a military or similar conflict, or to the trials and tribulations of daily life that can feel like battle

And you're watchin' them fall
The singer may be referring to fellow soldiers or citizens being killed or defeated

It doesn't take long to realize
From being in such a tough situation, one can easily understand or see the futility of fighting or the wasted effort

It ain't worth fightin' for, oh
The result of the conflict isn't worth the danger, suffering, and loss incurred during the fight

I thought I saw the Madonna
The singer compares the person he was looking for earlier to an important religious figure, likely because of the significance and rarity of the connection he is searching for

When you walked in the room
The singer first saw this special person in the current situation, likely implying they haven't been in contact before

Well your eyes were like diamonds
The singer describes the person's eyes as incredibly bright and captivating

And they cut right through, oh they cut right through
Their gaze or presence was very powerful and made the singer feel very seen or understood

Another night, another lesson learned
The singer implies he has gone through many similar experiences as this search and has learned from each one

It's the distance keeps us sane
Being apart or not finding what he wants keeps the singer from further disappointment or despair

But when the silence leads to sorrow
The lack of contact or intimacy can cause the singer pain and self-reflection

We do it all again, all again yeah
Despite the challenges and possible heartbreaks, the singer is ready to try again and keep searching

I need somebody
The singer repeats his declaration of wanting a romantic partner

Oh what about you
The singer again addresses the listener and asks them to consider their desires

Everybody needs somebody
The repetition of this line shows how important companionship is to human beings

Need somebody
The singer again reiterates his need and desire for meaningful connection

Everybody needs somebody
The final repetition of this line emphasizes the universality of the need for love or companionship

I need somebody (hey)
The song ends as it began, with the singer plainly stating his need for someone to share his life with.