I Need Your Love
Carl and The Commanders Lyrics


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Baby, I need your lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, 'nother night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'

Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I'd rather be
If it means having you to keep,
'Cause lately I've been losing sleep

Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'

Lonely nights echo your name
Oh, sometimes I wonder
Will I ever be the same?
Oh yeah! When you see me smiling
You know things have gotten worse
Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed
Darling, I can't go on without you
This emptiness won't let me live without you
This loneliness inside, darling
Makes me feel half alive

Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'




Baby I need your lovin'
Got to have all you lovin'

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I Need Your Lovin'" by Carl and The Commanders express the deepest feelings of longing and desperation for someone's love. The singer is confessing that despite the distance between them, he still yearns for his lover's voice and touch. He's so lonely that he can't bear to be without that affection, and it's affecting his mental and emotional state. He begs and pleads for his lover's love, despite the fact that society might label it as a sign of weakness. The singer knows that having that love would make him feel complete and that without it, he's empty and feels "half alive."


The lyrics suggest a deep emotional connection between the singer and his lover. The repetition of "Baby, I need your lovin'" emphasizes the singer's desperation and his belief that his lover holds the key to his happiness. It's a simple but powerful message that speaks to the universality of human emotion. The line "Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed" indicates that the singer is putting on a brave face, but deep down, he's hurting. He can't hide the fact that he needs his lover's love to survive.


Overall, "I Need Your Lovin'" is a timeless love song that captures the yearning, desperation, and pain that can come with love. It's a message that is likely to resonate with anyone who has experienced the heartache of longing for someone that they can't have.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, I need your lovin'
The singer is expressing his deep desire for the love and affection of his significant other.


Although you're never near
Despite the physical absence of his lover, the singer can still hear her voice and feels a strong emotional connection to her.


I long to hold you tight
The singer yearns for physical intimacy and closeness with his lover.


'Cause I'm so lonely
The singer feels very isolated and unhappy without the presence of his lover in his life.


Got to have all your lovin'
The singer emphasizes his absolute need for all of his lover’s love and affection to feel complete and happy.


For a man to beg
The singer acknowledges that some might view his expression of need as unmanly or weak.


Then weak I'd rather be
Despite any social criticisms, the singer would rather be considered weak than go without the love of his significant other.


If it means having you to keep
The singer believes that the rewards of holding onto his lover far outweigh any costs or risks.


'Cause lately I've been losing sleep
The singer is struggling to find peace and restful sleep due to his intense longing for his lover.


Lonely nights echo your name
The singer's nights are filled with a sense of sadness and isolation that are only accentuated by thoughts of his lover.


Oh, sometimes I wonder
The singer occasionally questions whether his life will ever feel complete without his lover by his side.


When you see me smiling
The singer often tries to mask his sadness by putting on a happy face for others to see.


You know things have gotten worse
Despite his efforts to hide his pain, the singer's internal struggle has only deepened and worsened over time.


This emptiness won't let me live without you
The singer feels an emptiness within him that he believes can only be filled by the love and presence of his significant other.


This loneliness inside, darling
The singer is experiencing a deep sense of loneliness that he believes can only be remedied by the love and companionship of his lover.


Makes me feel half alive
Without his lover, the singer feels like he is only living a half-life, and is unable to experience true joy and fulfillment.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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