Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Hall & Oates with Eddie Kendricks Lyrics
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I know ya wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go
If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy,
I don't mind coz' you mean that much to me
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Now I heard a cryin' man, is half a man
With no sense of pride
But if I have to cry to keep ya, I don't mind weepin'
If it'll keep you by my side
Ain't too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin'
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
If I have to sleep on your doorstep all night and day
just to keep you from walkin' away let your friends
laugh, even this I can stand cause I want to keep you any way I can
Ain't too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin'
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Now I've gotta love so deep in the pit of my heart
And each day it grows more and more I'm not ashamed
to come and plead to you baby
If pleadin' keeps you from walkin' out that door
Ain't too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin'
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Baby - baby - baby
In Hall & Oates with Eddie Kendricks's song "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," the lyrics express a sincere desperation and fear of losing someone they deeply care about. The singer acknowledges that the person they love wants to leave them, but they refuse to accept it. They are willing to go to great lengths, even if it means begging and pleading for attention and understanding, because this person means so much to them. The repetition of "ain't too proud to beg" emphasizes their vulnerability and humility in this situation.
The line "I heard a crying man is a half a man with no sense of pride" suggests that the singer believes that expressing emotions and vulnerability is essential for a whole and fulfilling relationship. They are willing to cry and show their emotions openly if it means keeping their loved one by their side. This shows a willingness to sacrifice personal pride for the sake of love.
The lyrics further convey the extent to which the singer is willing to go to keep the person from leaving. They say they would sleep on their doorstep day and night if it meant preventing their departure. Even if their friends laugh and ridicule them, they are willing to endure it because they want to hold onto this person in any way possible. This displays the lengths to which they are willing to go, disregarding social norms or embarrassment, to keep this relationship intact.
The final verse highlights the deep love the singer feels for this individual. They explain that love resides in the deepest part of their heart, and it continues to grow stronger with each passing day. They have no shame in pleading and coming back again and again to express their love. The repetition of "baby" at the end reflects the tenderness and urgency in their plea, emphasizing that they genuinely don't want this person to leave.
Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of someone who is willing to set aside pride, beg, plead, and do whatever it takes to keep the person they love from walking away. They are unashamed of their emotions and their desperation, demonstrating the power of love and their determination to fight for the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I know ya wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go
Even though you want to end our relationship, I am determined to hold on to you
If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy,
I am willing to humbly ask and implore for your understanding
I don't mind coz' you mean that much to me
I don't care about the discomfort because you hold immense value to me
Ain't too proud to beg, you know it (sweet darlin')
I have no shame in expressing my desperation, as you are aware (my dear)
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
I am earnestly pleading for you not to abandon me, my dear
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
I have no shame in begging, my dear, oh my dear
Now I heard a cryin' man, is half a man
I've learned that a man who cries is lacking self-respect
With no sense of pride
He has lost all dignity
But if I have to cry to keep ya, I don't mind weepin'
However, if shedding tears is necessary to retain your presence, I am willing to endure
If it'll keep you by my side
If it ensures that you remain with me
If I have to sleep on your doorstep all night and day
Even if I must spend sleepless nights and days outside your door
just to keep you from walkin' away let your friends
To prevent you from leaving, regardless of what your friends say
laugh, even this I can stand cause I want to keep you any way I can
I can tolerate their laughter, as I am determined to hold on to you however I can
Now I've gotta love so deep in the pit of my heart
I have a love that resides profoundly within the core of my heart
And each day it grows more and more I'm not ashamed
Every day, this love intensifies and I feel no embarrassment
to come and plead to you baby
to come and beg for your affection, my baby
If pleadin' keeps you from walkin' out that door
If begging prevents you from leaving through that door
Baby - baby - baby
My beloved - my beloved - my beloved
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jonathan Clary
RIP David Ruffin (1941-1991)
RIP Eddie Kendrick (1939-1992) God Rest your Souls✊❤☮🎵
nyshortline
My favorite version of this song!! Love Ruffin's ad-libbing during the choruses.
Cora Hudson
David Ruffin was the best ad-libber there ever was. Mary Wilson of the Supremes even said he was. Moreover, his interpretation of the Lyrics were phenomenal. My what a Singer. His showmanship was outstanding. Cora Hudson
Fremont Pathfinder
Love that Hall and Oates got into it
Marta Jottar
DAVID RUFFIN, THE KING !!
Rob Brown
KING 👑 DAVID RUFFIN SR. NUFF SAID 💯✌💗
Carol Esposto
David is missed
No It’s DiGiorno
Hes definitely high he said the same verse twice😂
Cora Hudson
David cut it out! Who are you pointing to? Now you know you're my MAN! Ha Ha. Cora P S. Miss you David and Eddie too.
Shelia McMillian
Linda Hines lol, very real