"I Just Want to Make Love to You" is a 1954 blues song written by Willie Di… Read Full Bio ↴"I Just Want to Make Love to You" is a 1954 blues song written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters.[2] The song was a major hit, reaching number four on Billboard magazine's Black Singles chart.

Blues-rock group Foghat released a version of "I Just Want to Make Love to You" on their self-titled debut album in 1972 and released the song as a single the same year where it reached #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was their first hit.[8] A live version was released on Foghat Live and released another 45 rpm single with "Fool for the City" as the b-side, the single was edited from over eight minutes to 3 minutes and 56 seconds.[9] This single version reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8]

Foghat's version of the song was used in the films Dazed and Confused and Halloween II.

I Just Want to Make Love to You
Foghat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want you, cook my bread,
I don't want you, make my bed,
I don't want your money too
I just want to make love to you

I don't want you, be no slave
I don't want you, work all day
I don't want you to be sad and blue

I just want to make love to you

I can tell by the way that you baby talk,
I can see by the way that you switch and walk,
I can tell by the way that you treat your man,
But I could love you baby, it's a cryin' shame

I don't want you, wash my clothes
I don't want you, keep a home
I don't want you to be true
I just want to make love to you

I don't want you, be no slave
I don't want you, work all day
I don't want you to be true
I just want to make love to you

I don't want you, keep a home,
I don't want you, wash my clothes

I don't want you to be true
I just want to make love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Foghat's "I Just Want to Make Love to You" express a straightforward desire for physical intimacy without any other expectations or obligations in the relationship. The singer lists all the things they don't require from their lover: no bread-making, bed-making, or money. They also reject the idea of the other person being a slave or working all day, emphasizing that they simply want to engage in sexual activity. The singer repeatedly acknowledges that they have no interest in anything beyond physical intimacy, highlighting the power and appeal of sexual desire. The bridge of the song suggests that the attraction is based on the way the person moves and speaks, while also acknowledging that they may not be an ideal partner in other ways.

This song reflects a common theme in blues and rock music: the desire for physical gratification without any emotional or personal investment. The lyrics depict an uncomplicated, pure desire that is often associated with base instincts and carnal urges. At the same time, the song also emphasizes the agency of both partners in this kind of relationship. The woman is not being forced to cook, clean, or work, and the man is not asking for anything beyond physical pleasure. This can be seen as a rejection of more traditional gender roles and expectations, as well as a celebration of individual freedom and self-expression.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, cook my bread,
I do not want you to cook for me

I don't want you, make my bed,
I do not want you to make my bed

I don't want your money too
I do not want your money

I just want to make love to you
I only want to have physical intimacy with you

I don't want you, be no slave
I do not want you to be my servant

I don't want you, work all day
I do not want you to work all day

I don't want you to be sad and blue
I do not want you to be unhappy

I just want to make love to you
I only want to have physical intimacy with you

I can tell by the way that you baby talk,
I can sense from the way you talk in baby voice

I can see by the way that you switch and walk,
I can see from the way you walk with a sway

I can tell by the way that you treat your man,
I can sense from how you treat your partner