When You Got A Good Friend
Eric Clapton 2004 / Me & Mr. Johnson Lyrics
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When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right
I mistreated my baby, and I can't see no reason why
I mistreated my baby, but I can't see no reason why
Every time I think about it, I just wring my hands and cry
Mmm-mmm-mmm, would she sympathize with me?
She's a brown-skin woman, just as sweet as a girlfriend can be
Mmm-mmm, babe, I may be right or wrong
Baby, it's your opinion, oh, I may be right or wrong
Watch your close friend, baby, then your enemies can't do you no harm
When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right
The song When You Got A Good Friend is about the importance of having someone faithful and reliable by your side in life. The first stanza emphasizes the value of a true friend who will stick with you through thick and thin, and who you should treat with kindness and love. The second part of the song is more reflective, as the singer laments mistreating their loved one and wonders if they should apologize or if they would even be willing to forgive him. The final stanza advises listeners to keep their enemies closer than their friends, as a true friend can offer protection and support in times of need.
Overall, the song expresses the importance of valuing and cherishing friends, and the consequences of mistreating them. It also touches on the complexities of the human relationships and the difficulty of making amends after causing pain.
Line by Line Meaning
When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side
True friends are the ones who stand by you no matter what happens in life. They are a source of constant support and love.
Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right
To maintain a good friendship, it's important to give it ample time, affection, and respect. Treat them with kindness and compassion.
I mistreated my baby, and I can't see no reason why
Sometimes in life, we wrong the people we care about and cannot come up with a reason as to why we did it.
Every time I think about it, I just wring my hands and cry
Remorse and guilt are heavy emotions that can make a person feel helpless and hopeless.
She's a brown-skin woman, just as sweet as a girlfriend can be
The artist admires a woman for her qualities, including her skin color, sweetness, and girlfriend-like qualities.
Mmm-mmm-mmm, would she sympathize with me?
The singer is unsure if the woman he wronged would be understanding towards him.
Mmm-mmm, babe, I may be right or wrong
The singer acknowledges that he may not always be correct in his actions and realizes the importance of admitting fault.
Watch your close friend, baby, then your enemies can't do you no harm
By being vigilant towards one's friends, it's easier to avoid harm from potential enemies.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind