As house composers for Stax Records, Hayes and Porter penned most of Sam & Dave's hits, including "Soul Man", “I Thank You,” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby” and "Hold On I'm Comin'". They also wrote material for Carla Thomas (“B-A-B-Y”), Johnnie Taylor (“I Got to Love Somebody’s Baby” and “I Had a Dream”), and The Soul Children. Starting in the late '60s, Hayes became increasingly involved in his own recording career, eventually leading to the end of the partnership. The Hayes-Porter duo composed 200 songs during their collaboration.
Porter then began recording his own albums for Stax. He also released on other labels under the pseudonyms Little David and Kenny Cain, and had done a single for Stax itself in 1965, "Can't See You When I Want To", a remake of which became a Top 30 RB hit for Porter, and he cut several albums for Stax in the early '70s, including a concept LP, "Victim of the Joke?".
Porter began working with songwriting partner Ronnie Williams, and later went on to engineer the brief relaunch of the Stax label in 1978, after the bankrupt label's assets were acquired by Fantasy Records.
He and Hayes received Pioneer Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999. On June 9, 2005, Porter was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Bill Withers, Steve Cropper, Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, John Fogerty and his longtime writing partner Isaac Hayes.
I Don't Know Why I Love You
David Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know why I cry so but I do
I only know I'm lonely and that I want you only
I don't know why I love you but I do I can't sleep nights because I feel so restless
I don't know what to do, I feel so helpless
And since you've been away, I cry both night and day
I don't know why I love you but I do My days have been so lonely
My nights have been so blue
That I will fall in love with someone else
I guess I'm wastin' time but I've got to clear my mind
I don't know why I love you but I do
David Porter's song "I Don't Know Why I Love You" is a ballad that expresses the singer's deep yearning and confusion over his unexplained love and painful feelings of missing someone. The repeated phrase "I don't know why I love you but I do" emphasizes the singer's awareness of his irrational emotions, but his inability to change them. The song's opening line sets the tone for the entire song, conveying the singer's vulnerability and confusion as he tries to make sense of his emotions.
The second verse talks about the singer's insomnia and his feelings of restlessness and helplessness. His heartache has consumed him so much that he cries both night and day. The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing his loneliness and his desire for the person he loves. The third verse describes the singer's daily struggle with loneliness and depression. Despite these overwhelming emotions, he tries to convince himself that he will fall in love with someone else, acknowledging the need to move on from the pain. However, he ends the song with the same acknowledgement of uncertainty and confusion.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey a sense of raw vulnerability and honesty about the complexities of love and the human heart's emotions. The singer's confusion and struggle with his feelings are relatable to anyone who has experienced unrequited love, heartbreak, or emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why I love you but I do
I cannot explain the reason for my love towards you, but it exists.
I don't know why I cry so but I do
Although I don't understand the cause, I find myself shedding tears involuntarily.
I only know I'm lonely and that I want you only
All that I'm certain of is that I feel lonely and that you're the only one I desire.
I can't sleep nights because I feel so restless
I experience a great deal of agitation and can't seem to find peace or sleep at night.
I don't know what to do, I feel so helpless
I feel at a loss and powerless as I don't know how to resolve this situation.
And since you've been away, I cry both night and day
Ever since you've been gone, I have cried during both day and night.
My days have been so lonely
I have been alone and without companionship during the daytime.
My nights have been so blue
My evenings have been melancholic and filled with sadness.
I don't know how I manage, but I do
I don't know how I am getting by, but somehow I am still continuing on with my life.
Each night I sit alone and tell myself
Every night, I spend time by myself having an inner monologue.
That I will fall in love with someone else
I am trying to convince myself that I will eventually move on and fall in love with someone new.
I guess I'm wastin' time but I've got to clear my mind
Perhaps I am engaging in a futile endeavor, but I see it as necessary to clear my thoughts.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Paul Riser, Stevie Wonder, Don Powell Hunter, Lula Mae Hardaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pryorinc
One of the best covers of this song‼️
Jamie Farrington
I've felt like this an few times thanks Mr Porter Jamie
Vickie Gunn
Oh ya
Marcos
Track 5 * * * * *.