Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore (November 8, 1913, Topeka, Kansas - May 19, 2004, … Read Full Bio ↴Arnold "Gatemouth" Moore (November 8, 1913, Topeka, Kansas - May 19, 2004, Yazoo City, Mississippi) was an American blues and gospel singer, songwriter and pastor.

A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, he claimed to have earned his nickname as a result of his loud speaking and singing voice.
During his career as a recording artist, Moore worked with various jazz musicians, including Bennie Moten, Tommy Douglas and Walter Barnes, and had songs recorded by B.B. King and Rufus Thomas.
In 1949, Moore was ordained as a minister First Church of Deliverance in Chicago and went on to preach and perform as a gospel singer and DJ at several radio stations in Memphis, Birmingham and Chicago.
Moore holds distinctions as a survivor of the 1940 Natchez Rhythm Club Fire and as the first blues singer to perform at Carnegie Hall. A brass note on Beale Street Walk of Fame was dedicated to Moore in 1996. He was also featured in Martin Scorsese's 2003 documentary The Blues.

Somebody's Got To Go
Gatemouth Moore Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"Somebody"
(Performed by Bridgit Mendler)

Can you see me?
′Cause I'm right here
Can you listen?
′Cause I've been trying to make you notice
What it would mean to me

To feel like somebody
We've been on our way to nowhere
Tryin′ so hard to get there

And I say
Oh!
We′re gonna let it show!
We're gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try
To make it come alive
C′mon let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
Somebody (Somebody)
Somebody, yeah (Somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody

I'm so tired
Of being invisible
But I feel it, yeah
Like a fire below the surface
Trying to set me free
Burnin′ inside of me
'Cause were standing on the edge now
It′s a long way down

But I say
Oh!
We're gonna let it show!
We're gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try
To make it come alive
C′mon let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
Somebody (Somebody)
Somebody, yeah (Somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody

We will walk out of this darkness
Feel the spotlight glowing like a yellow sun
Ohohohohoh (Ohohohohoh)
And when we fall we fall together
′Til we get back up and we will rise as one
Ohohohohoh

Oh!
We're gonna let it show!
We′re gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try
To make it come alive
C'mon let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
Somebody (Somebody)
Somebody, yeah (Somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody

Somebody
Ooo Oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Somebody" talks about the desire to be seen and heard by others, to feel like somebody instead of being invisible. The lyrics emphasize the importance of pursuing dreams and letting go of everything that holds one back. The singer expresses how she feels like a fire below the surface, burning inside of her, and that it's time to let it shine and make it come alive. The purpose is to inspire others to be confident and take charge of their lives, to walk out of the darkness and embrace the spotlight.

The lyrics send a strong message about how important it is to feel valued and noticed by others. The song encourages people to take steps to pursue their dreams and not let fear hold them back. It emphasizes how crucial it is to walk out of the darkness, into the light and shine as an individual. This message applies to people of all ages and backgrounds, and that makes the song relatable for everyone.

Line by Line Meaning

Can you see me?
Asking if the person can see the singer's true self

'Cause I'm right here
Asserting that the singer is present and wants to be noticed

Can you listen?
Asking if the person can hear the singer's plea

'Cause I've been trying to make you notice
Stating that the singer has been putting forth effort to be seen

What it would mean to me
Explaining how much it would matter to the singer

To feel like somebody
To have a sense of self-worth and belonging

We've been on our way to nowhere
The current path is not leading to a fulfilling life

Tryin' so hard to get there
Putting forth effort to change this path

Oh!
Expression of excitement and determination

We're gonna let it show!
We will let our true selves be seen

We're gonna just let go of everything Holding back our dreams
Not held back by fears or insecurities and going after personal aspirations

And try To make it come alive
Putting forth tremendous effort to make a change for the better

C'mon let it shine so they can see
Inviting those around to take notice and recognize the singer's worth

We were meant to be Somebody (Somebody) Somebody, yeah (Somebody) Somehow Someday Someway Somebody
Reiterating that everyone has a unique purpose in life and deserves to be valued and seen as important

I'm so tired
Feeling exhausted and hopeless

Of being invisible
Feeling like one's true self is not being seen or valued by others

But I feel it, yeah Like a fire below the surface
Feeling like there is a passion and potential that is yet to be unleashed

Trying to set me free Burnin' inside of me
Describing that the passion and potential feels like it's suffocating and needs to be released

'Cause were standing on the edge now It's a long way down
Feeling like the current path is on the brink of failure

We will walk out of this darkness
The decision has been made to move towards a brighter future

Feel the spotlight glowing like a yellow sun
The potential of success and recognition is like a warm, comforting feeling

Ohohohohoh (Ohohohohoh)
Singing in excitement about the potential future

And when we fall we fall together 'Til we get back up and we will rise as one
Encouraging a supportive community during times of failure and a commitment to perseverance

Somebody
The chorus repeats the theme of being valued and recognized in life.

Ooo Oh
A playful repetition of the song's title.

Contributed by Elijah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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