Donald Randolph was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. His father a Baptist preacher died when Don was eight. Covay resettled in Washington D.C. during the early 1950s and initially sang in the Cherry Keys, his family's gospel quartet. He crossed over to secular music with the Rainbows, a formative group which also included Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart. Covay's solo career began in 1957 as part of the Little Richard Revue.
A single "Bip Bop Bip" was released on Atlantic and produced by Little Richard, on which Covay was billed as "Pretty Boy". It also featured his backing band the Upsetters. Over the next few years Covay drifted from label to label, but a further dance-oriented track called "Popeye Waddle" was a hit in 1962. He also wrote and recorded "Pony Time" which later became a US #1 single for Chubby Checker. Covay meanwhile honed his songwriting skills by penning a hit for Solomon Burke, "I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You", while Gladys Knight & The Pips reached the US Top 20 with "Letter Full of Tears".
Covay's singing career continued to falter until 1964, when he signed to the Rosemart label. His debut single there with the Goodtimers, "Mercy Mercy" (accompanied by a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar), established his earthy bluesy style. Atlantic bought his contract, but, while several R&B hits followed, it was a year before Covay returned to the pop chart. "See Saw", co-written with Steve Cropper and recorded at Stax, paved the way for more hits.
Don Covay's songs still remain successful: Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her performance of his composition "Chain of Fools". He is a legendary composer and singer, best known for his R&B classic compositions "Mercy Mercy", "Chain of Fools", "See Saw" and "Sookie Sookie". Covay had success as a singer as Don Covay and The Goodtimers, and his compositions have been recorded by such varied artists as Steppenwolf, Bobby Womack, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, The Small Faces, Grant Green, Peter Wolf and many more.
Don Covay had a stroke in 1992, and the following year Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones appeared, with Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren and others on a Covay tribute album Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay. The same year he was presented by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation with one of its Pioneer Awards.
He released an album Adlib in 2000 on the Cannonball label, his first album in 23 years. Collaborating musicians included Paul Rodgers, Wilson Pickett, Lee Konitz, Otis Clay, Kim Simmonds, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, Paul Shaffer, Huey Lewis, and Dan Penn. The cover art was by Ronnie Wood.
Covay died on January 30, 2015 at the age of 76.
It's Better To Have
Don Covay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Satisfaction)
Girl, you know you won't give me no more
(Inspiration)
Listen to me
Lord, have mercy!
You know that I lost that
But you don't see me
Packin' up my clothes
(Goin' and leavin')
(Woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
It's better to have and don't need
Yes, better
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to have and don't need)
Whoa, when you ain't got nobody
(Than need and don't have)
You know
(A man without a woman)
Yes, sho'
(Sho' gonna feel bad)
Girl, you caused me so much
(Pain and sorrow)
Well, listen
Havin' nobody, mama
(Is so much harder)
You better know it, yeah
Friends stopped by my house
(Instigate you)
But they don't know
It ain't gon' be no, yeah
(Separating)
(Woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
(That's an almost)
It's better to have and don't need
Than need and don't have
(Almost gonna what?)
It's better to have and don't need
(Than need and don't have)
(A woman without a man)
(Sho' gonna be sad)
Yea-hey-hey
Ooh!
Boogie!
My-my-my-my, clouds so dark
Have lost their silver linin'
But don't throw away
Your umbrella, y'all
('Cause your sun is shining)
Oh, Lord!
I remember when your love, baby used to
(Keep me humming)
But I like the lyrics to your song
But I just can't feel
(Feel the music)
Oh!
(It's better to have and don't need)
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to have and don't need
(Than need and don't have)
It's better (to have and don't need)
(Somebody's havin' nobody, to ha-ha-have)
Take-a a chance!
(It's better to have and don't need)
(And need and don't have)
No mo'
(It's better to have and don't need)
Y'all
(Than need and don't have)
It's better, oh-oh
(To have and don't need)
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to ha-ha-ha-have.
In Don Covay's song "It's Better To Have", the singer expresses his frustration with his partner who is no longer giving him satisfaction and inspiration in their relationship. Despite losing his loving feeling, he decides not to leave because it is better to have someone than to be alone. The chorus iterates the theme that having something, even if it is not necessary, is still better than wanting and not having it. In the bridge, the singer reminds listeners that everyone experiences cloudy days, but it is important to hold onto one's umbrella because the sun will eventually shine. The song encourages people to take chances and to prioritize having something rather than being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, I can't get no more
I am unsatisfied with the current situation
Girl, you know you won't give me no more
You are not providing me with the inspiration I need
Listen to me
Pay attention to what I am saying
Lord, have mercy!
Expressing surprise, frustration, or disappointment
You know that I lost that
I no longer have that feeling
(Lovin' Feelin')
The feeling of being in love
But you don't see me
You are not aware of my feelings
Packin' up my clothes
Leaving the current situation behind
(Goin' and leavin')
Departing from the current place or relationship
(Woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
Expressing emotion or enthusiasm
It's better to have and don't need
Having something is better than not having it, even if you don't currently need it
Yes, better
Agreement or affirmation
(Than need and don't have)
Not having something is worse than having it and not needing it
(It's better to have and don't need)
Reiteration of the above statement
Whoa, when you ain't got nobody
When you don't have anyone in your life
(Than need and don't have)
Not having someone is worse than needing someone and not having them
You know
An acknowledgement of understanding or agreement
(A man without a woman)
A man who is single or not in a relationship with a woman
Yes, sho'
Affirmation or agreement
(Sho' gonna feel bad)
He will likely feel bad
Girl, you caused me so much
You have caused me a lot of
(Pain and sorrow)
Emotional distress and sadness
Well, listen
Pay attention to what I am about to say
Havin' nobody, mama
Being alone
(Is so much harder)
It is difficult
You better know it, yeah
An affirmation of the previous statement
Friends stopped by my house
My friends came to visit me
(Instigate you)
To provoke or encourage action
But they don't know
They are unaware
It ain't gon' be no, yeah
It will not be like this much longer
(Separating)
Creating distance or division
(That's an almost)
Something that is very close, almost about to occur
It's better to have and don't need
Reiteration of the main message
Than need and don't have
Lacking something that you need is worse than having something you don't currently need
It's better to have and don't need
Reiteration of the main message
(A woman without a man)
A woman who is single or not in a relationship with a man
(Sho' gonna be sad)
She will likely feel sad
Yea-hey-hey
Expressing emotion or enthusiasm
Ooh!
Expressing emotion or surprise
Boogie!
A call to dance or move to the music
My-my-my-my, clouds so dark
The situation is gloomy or negative
Have lost their silver linin'
There is no positive aspect to the situation
But don't throw away
Don't give up
Your umbrella, y'all
The things that protect you
('Cause your sun is shining)
There is something positive or good happening in your life
Oh, Lord!
Expressing surprise, frustration, or disappointment
I remember when your love, baby used to
Recalling a previous experience of love
(Keep me humming)
An expression of a feeling of happiness or contentment
But I like the lyrics to your song
I enjoy the words you say
But I just can't feel
I am unable to experience the emotions
(Feel the music)
To be emotionally moved by the music
(It's better to have and don't need)
Reiteration of the main message
(And need and don't have)
Lacking something you need is worse than having something you don't currently need
No mo'
No more
(Somebody's havin' nobody, to ha-ha-have)
Expressing the hardships of being alone
Y'all
You all
(Than need and don't have)
Lacking something you need is worse than having something you don't currently need
It's better, oh-oh
Reiteration of the main message
(To have and don't need)
Having something is better than not having it, even if you don't currently need it
(Than need and don't have)
Lacking something you need is worse than having something you don't currently need
(It's better to ha-ha-ha-have)
Reiteration of the main message
Lyrics © RAWSTOCK MUSIC
Written by: DON COVAY, ERSKIN WATTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
You know, I can't get no more
(Satisfaction)
Girl, you know you won't give me no more
(Inspiration)
Listen to me
Lord, have mercy!
You know that I lost that
(Lovin' Feelin')
But you don't see me
Packin' up my clothes
(Goin' and leavin')
(Woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
It's better to have and don't need
Yes, better
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to have and don't need)
Whoa, when you ain't got nobody
(Than need and don't have)
You know
(A man without a woman)
Yes, sho'
(Sho' gonna feel bad)
Girl, you caused me so much
(Pain and sorrow)
Well, listen
Havin' nobody, mama
(Is so much harder)
You better know it, yeah
Friends stopped by my house
(Instigate you)
But they don't know
It ain't gon' be no, yeah
(Separating)
(Woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
(That's an almost)
It's better to have and don't need
Than need and don't have
(Almost gonna what?)
It's better to have and don't need
(Than need and don't have)
(A woman without a man)
(Sho' gonna be sad)
Yea-hey-hey
Ooh!
Boogie!
My-my-my-my, clouds so dark
Have lost their silver linin'
But don't throw away
Your umbrella, y'all
('Cause your sun is shining)
Oh, Lord!
I remember when your love, baby used to
(Keep me humming)
But I like the lyrics to your song
But I just can't feel
(Feel the music)
Oh!
(It's better to have and don't need)
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to have and don't need
(Than need and don't have)
It's better (to have and don't need)
(Somebody's havin' nobody, to ha-ha-have)
Take-a a chance!
(It's better to have and don't need)
(And need and don't have)
No mo'
(It's better to have and don't need)
Y'all
(Than need and don't have)
It's better, oh-oh
(To have and don't need)
(Than need and don't have)
(It's better to ha-ha-ha-have.
Mrs Jones
Don Covay SLAYED this song and the band Definitely went ALL THE WAY IN!!! W-E-L-L!!! ✌❤🎤🎶🎵🎹🎷🥁
Louis Washington
Heard this song today for the first time and fell in love with it.
xx7egg
the only thing wrong with this song is its 18 mins too short....greatest tune ever ...no doubt
Kim Pittman
Put the needle on the record! Again and again lol!
Tony Coxall
It is a good one.
Francine Johnson
My mom would play this (twice, every time) we (kids) would be running around the house, like we done lost our dammm minds. Having hella fun....👏
Thank you, for sharing!!
steph sampy
My mom would play these type of songs like Joe Tex, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, and Sam Cooke while we cleaned up the house. The good times! ❤❤❤
Verna Brown
Omg I haven’t heard this in 45 years even though I still quote the words! Wow!
rogersofrhodri
Heard 3 days ago on Radio 6 (UK) and did it take me back, played on the juke in my local ....smiles all round.
Debs West
I love this song. Was a teen first time I heard it!