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Don't Give Up
Eric L. Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
When I found you stranded on a highway
I took you home in town
I also taught you how to live good
And now you want to move me down
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
I know your tried to make a decision
Between him or me
But knowing in you all the time you got something
That you feel you need, yeah baby
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
If you don't want it
If you don't want it
If you don't need it
find somebody else
If you don't want my love
If you don't want it
If you don't need it
Give it back
If you don't want my love
Give it back
The lyrics of Eric L. Woods's song Don't Give Up showcase the struggle of a man who feels like he has given his all to a relationship, only to have the affection reciprocated in a lukewarm manner. The song encapsulates the frustration that arises when one feels like they have done everything in their power to make someone feel loved, and yet, they still seem to want more. The opening lines, "If you don't want my love, if you don't need my love, baby, give it back," underscores the feeling of being unappreciated, and the subsequent lines, "When I found you stranded on a highway, I took you home in town, I also taught you how to live good, and now you want to move me down," goes on to emphasize the betrayal one can feel after investing so much in someone.
The lyrics of the song are also reflective of the inherent power dynamics within a relationship. The singer bemoans the fact that the person he loves seems to have more agency, as they are free to choose between him and someone else, whereas he is left feeling powerless, with no other option but to give his love away completely or risk being hurt. The lines, "But knowing in you all the time, you got something that you feel you need, yeah baby" suggests that the person he loves, despite being aware of the hurt they are causing the singer, has made a calculated decision based on what they think is best for them.
Overall, Eric L. Woods's song Don't Give Up is a poignant reflection of the complexities of love and relationships. It highlights the struggle of giving oneself completely to another person and the inherent risks involved, and the heartache that arises when it appears that the love is not being reciprocated in the same measure.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't want my love
If you no longer desire my love and affection
If you don't need my love
If my love and companionship are no longer important and necessary to you
Baby, give it back
Please return my love and affection if you no longer want or need it
Baby, give it back
Please return my love and affection if you no longer want or need it
If you don't want my love
If you no longer desire my love and affection
If you don't need my love
If my love and companionship are no longer important and necessary to you
Baby, give it back
Please return my love and affection if you no longer want or need it
Baby, give it back
Please return my love and affection if you no longer want or need it
When I found you stranded on a highway
When I first met you, you were in need of help and direction
I took you home in town
I provided you with shelter and care in a welcoming environment
I also taught you how to live good
I helped you improve and better your life
And now you want to move me down
But now you seek to undermine and hurt me despite my previous efforts to help you
If you don't want my love
If you no longer desire my love and affection
If you don't need my love
If my love and companionship are no longer important and necessary to you
If you don't want it
If my love and affection are not what you truly want
If you don't want it
If my love and affection are not what you truly want
If you don't need it
If my love and companionship are not important or necessary to you
find somebody else
Try seeking affection and companionship from another person who can meet your needs
If you don't want my love
If you no longer desire my love and affection
Give it back
Please return my love and affection if you no longer want or need it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Bobby Womack, Gordon De Witty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind