The band's origins date from when Santana guitarist Neal Schon formed the band Azteca along with Larry Graham (bass guitar) and Gregg Errico (drums), both from Sly and the Family Stone, and Peter Sears (keyboards), from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship. Santana bass guitar player Tom Rutley would move into to the bass spot with Azteca. That band, like Santana with heavy Latin influences, would eventually morph into Graham Central Station, while Schon would found Journey.
Graham Central Station's biggest hit was Your Love, which charted at number 9 in 1975. The group integrated Graham's slap bass style along with influences ranging from marching band to gospel. They played with the dichotomy between the funk rock star image and the "sanctified" gospel group image. Some of their recordings feature their then Warner Bros labelmates Tower of Power horn section. Graham went solo in the later 1970's having a chart hit with "One in a Million, You".
While no longer as popular as in the 70's, Larry Graham (born in Beaumont Texas in 1946) continues to tour & play music into the 21st century, most notably with Prince with whom he shares an interest in the Jehovah's Witness religion. In 1999, Graham recorded an album for Prince's label under the Graham Central Station moniker that featured old Sly Stone era bandmates Cynthia Robinson and sax player Jerry Martini and performed on Prince's "Rave Un2 2000" live DVD and appeared as a featured act throughout Prince's Jam of The Year tour.
Feel the Need
Graham Central Station Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Notice ev'rything in me
Feel the need, oh feel, feel the need in me
I need you by my side to be my guide
Can't you see my arms are open wide, mh
Feel the need, oh feel, feel the need in me
I need your love - love - love
Ev'ry day I need it, ev'ry day I want it
I need your love - love - love
I need it constantly, your love takes care of me
Your love is better to me than apple pie - ooh
Just put your hand in mine, love me all the time
The proof you will plainly see, mh
Feel the need, oh feel, feel the need in me
I need you on the case to keep my heart in place
You make me what I need to be, ooh
Feel the need, oh feel, feel the need in me
Oh your love is tough, now can't get enough
Girl, your love is so important to me
Feel the need, hey feel it, feel the need in me - hi hi hi
I need you by my side to be my guide
Can't you see my arms are open wide
Feel the need, oh feel it, feel the need in me
I need your love - love - love
Ev'ry day I need it, ev'ry day I want it
Without your sweet, sweet love I'd rather die
I need your love - love - love
I need it constantly, your love takes care of me
Your love is better to me than cherry pie - ooh
See how I'm walkin', see how I'm talkin'
Notice ev'rything in me
Feel the need, oh feel it, feel the need in me - a ooh
Just put your hand in mine, love me all the time
The proof you will plainly see
Feel the need, hey feel it, feel the need in me
The lyrics to Graham Central Station's song "Feel the Need" convey an intense desire for love and companionship. The singer is urging someone to notice them, to understand their need for love, and to give it to them in abundance. They display vulnerability by opening their arms wide and pleading for their lover to be their guide. The lyrics also suggest that their lover's love is all-encompassing and crucial to their survival - they would rather die than be without it.
The repetition of the phrase "feel the need" emphasizes the importance of the singer's desire for love. They want to be seen and recognized by their lover as someone who needs their affection to survive. The way the lyrics repeat this message in various ways drives it home, making it all the more poignant.
Overall, the lyrics of "Feel the Need" offer a heartfelt plea for love and emotional support, painting a picture of someone desperately seeking validation and affection from their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
See how I'm walkin', see how I'm talkin'
Take a closer look at me, notice how I am carrying myself and how I speak
Notice ev'rything in me
Observe everything about me, pay attention to every detail
Feel the need, oh feel, feel the need in me
Experience the strong desire I have, feel it deeply
I need you by my side to be my guide
I require your presence to show me the way and guide me in the right direction
Can't you see my arms are open wide, mh
I am waiting for you with open arms, ready to embrace you
I need your love - love - love
I crave your affection and care
Ev'ry day I need it, ev'ry day I want it
I need and desire your love every single day
Without your sweet, sweet love I'd rather die
Your love is crucial to me, without it, life is meaningless
I need it constantly, your love takes care of me
I need your love all the time, it is what fulfills and nurtures me
Your love is better to me than apple pie - ooh
Your love is my favorite and most satisfying thing, even better than my favorite dessert
Just put your hand in mine, love me all the time
Hold my hand and show me affection all the time
The proof you will plainly see, mh
You will see the evidence of our love and connection clearly
I need you on the case to keep my heart in place
I need you to be attentive to my emotions and make sure I am stable
You make me what I need to be, ooh
You shape me into the person I want to be and fulfill my needs
Oh your love is tough, now can't get enough
Your love is strong and resilient, I just can't get enough of it
Girl, your love is so important to me
Your love is extremely valuable and meaningful to me
Feel the need, hey feel it, feel the need in me - hi hi hi
Experience my intense desire, feel it completely
Your love is better to me than cherry pie - ooh
Your love is my favorite thing, even better than my most beloved dessert
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blake Kersey
on Today
Wrong lyrics!