Tell It Like It Is
Carla Thomas & Otis Redding Lyrics

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Baby, you know I will, honey, you know I will

Tell it like it is, yeah
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
Tell it like it is
I want you to forget your foolish pride, oh yeah

Life is too short to have sorrow (oh, yes it is)
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, Carla honey, baby, go on and live

I'm just tell it like it is
Just you can threat me right, go and find yourself a little little baby boy

I'm just tell you like it is
Cause I'm to good to you forget, don't you mess over me

Overall Meaning

In the song "Tell It Like It Is", Otis Redding and Carla Thomas sing about a relationship where one partner is not taking it seriously while the other feels their time is far too valuable for games. The lyrics speak to the frustration and anger felt by the partner who wants a real commitment and a true understanding of their worth. The song gets quite passionate at times, with Otis pleading for Carla to treat him right while also warning her not to play with his heart. He acknowledges that he's not a "little bitty baby boy", meaning he's not someone who can be easily toyed with. The chorus encourages honesty and self-reflection, telling the listener to "tell it like it is" and not be ashamed of their true feelings. Overall, the song is a powerful statement about standing up for oneself and demanding respect in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

If you want something to play with
If you're not serious about a relationship and just looking for a fling

Go and find yourself a toy
Look for someone else to fool around with

Baby my time is so expensive, girl, yeah
I value my time and won't waste it on something that won't last

And I'm not just a little little bitty baby boy, no no
I'm a grown man who knows what he wants and won't settle for less

Tell it like it is, yeah
Speak the truth and don't sugarcoat things

Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
Don't feel guilty for being honest about your feelings

I want you to forget your foolish pride, oh yeah
Set aside your ego and admit what you truly want

Life is too short to have sorrow (oh, yes it is)
Life is finite, so don't waste it on anything that doesn't make you happy

You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You never know when life will end, so make the most of it

You might as well get what you want
Take advantage of the time you have and pursue your desires

So go on and live, Carla honey, baby, go on and live
Don't hold back and enjoy life to the fullest

I'm just tell it like it is
I'm being straightforward with you

Just you can threat me right, go and find yourself a little little baby boy
Treat me with respect or find someone else who will put up with your immaturity

I'm just tell you like it is
I'm being honest about how I feel

Cause I'm to good to you forget, don't you mess over me
I deserve better treatment than what you're giving me, so don't take me for granted

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ZELLS MUSIC, M. JONES PUBLISHING CO., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George Davis, Lee Diamond

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ThomHappy

5y↑3

If you want something to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby my time is so expensive, girl, yeah
And I'm not just a little little bitty baby boy, no no

Otis, if you are
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
But if you want me to love you
Baby, you know I will, honey, you know I will

Tell it like it is, yeah
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
Tell it like it is
I want you to forget your foolish pride, oh yeah

Life is too short to have sorrow (oh, yes it is)
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, Carla honey, baby, go on and live

I'm just tell it like it is
Just you can threat me right, go and find yourself a little little baby boy
I'm just tell you like it is
Cause I'm to good to you forget, don't you mess over me

All comments from YouTube:

@willieschick7315

4y↑7

19 year old light skin Hispano kid from New York , I am so glad I have this sensitivity to music. Especially Motown, Bitter sweet that not a lot of people my age appreciate these tunes man.

@johnevans1952

3y↑2

DO IT DUO TELL IT LIKE IT THE PIANO PLAYER
HORNS

THE INCREDIBALE
OTIS REDDING
-- CARLA THOMAS

@clydedahler9572

7y↑15

About the best blues singers i love to hear, The King and Queen, Otis and Carla, had their album many years ago, they past to young in their life's but will Always be remembered.