Giving Up
Hathaway Donny Lyrics


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Giving up
Is hard to do
When you really
Love someone
Giving up
So hard to do
When you still depend upon
Her warm and tender touch
Her kiss and her caress
Ooh, they used to
Mean so much
And bring you happiness

Giving up
So hard to do
I've tried
But it just ain't no use
Giving up
So hard to do
I said I've tried
But it just ain't no use

But my light of hope
Is burning dim
But in my heart I pray
That my love and faith
In the girl
Will bring her back to me

Ooh, whether
Whether she knows or not
She really needs me too
The little girl
Is all I got
Yes she is
And giving up
Giving up is so hard to do

Giving up
So hard to do
Giving up
So very hard to do
I said I've tried it
But I just can't get loose
Giving up
So hard for me to do
I don't want to lose you
'Cause you mean




So much to me
Giving up...

Overall Meaning

The song Giving Up by Donny Hathaway is a ballad that deals with the difficulty of letting go of someone you love. It speaks to the desperation and the hopelessness that comes with the realization that a relationship is not working, but despite this knowledge, the person is unable to move on. The song is a soulful and emotional ballad that portrays the emotional turmoil of the singer.


The lyrics speak to the conflict that arises when one knows it's time to let go, but the deep love and dependence on that person create hesitancy towards doing so. During the chorus of the song, the singer speaks to his inability to give up on this person, despite their knowledge that it may be the best decision. The singer expresses the reality of the situation that the love between the two people has dwindled and died, but they still hang on to the hope that their relationship can be rekindled.


The song's powerful lyrics and Donny Hathaway's emotive delivery make Giving Up a timeless soul classic that speaks to people's hearts. It explores themes of love, hope, and heartbreak that can be related to by individuals in many different scenarios.


Line by Line Meaning

Giving up
Admitting defeat


Is hard to do
It's difficult to give up


When you really
When true feelings are involved


Love someone
Having affection for someone else


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So hard to do
It's difficult to give up


When you still depend upon
Relying on something that's no longer there


Her warm and tender touch
The intimacy and affection that she provided


Her kiss and her caress
The physical touch provided by the person


Ooh, they used to
They were once present


Mean so much
They held great importance


And bring you happiness
Provided joy and comfort


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So hard to do
It's difficult to give up


I've tried
Attempts were made


But it just ain't no use
But efforts were fruitless


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So hard to do
It's difficult to give up


I said I've tried
Acknowledging efforts


But it just ain't no use
Efforts were fruitless


But my light of hope
The optimism within me


Is burning dim
Is fading away


But in my heart I pray
But I hope and wish


That my love and faith
That my devotion and belief


In the girl
For the woman


Will bring her back to me
Will result in her return


Ooh, whether
Regardless of


Whether she knows or not
If she is aware or not


She really needs me too
She requires me just as much


The little girl
The woman being referred to as endearing or cherished


Is all I got
She is all I have


Yes she is
She is my everything


And giving up
Admitting defeat


Giving up is so hard to do
It's so difficult to give up


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So hard to do
It's difficult to give up


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So very hard to do
An even more difficult task


I said I've tried it
I've attempted it


But I just can't get loose
But I can't shake the feeling of holding on


Giving up
Admitting defeat


So hard for me to do
It's so difficult for me to do


I don't want to lose you
I'm afraid of losing you


'Cause you mean
Because you are significant


So much to me
To me, you hold great value


Giving up
Admitting defeat




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: VAN MCCOY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Fictitious Brown

Lyrics
Giving up
Is hard to do
When you really
Love someone
Giving up
So hard to do
When you still depend upon
Her warm and tender touch
Her kiss and her caress
Ooh, they used to
Mean so much
And bring you happiness
Giving up
So hard to do
I've tried
But it just ain't no use
Giving up
So hard to do
I said I've tried
But it just ain't no use
But my light of hope
Is burning dim
But in my heart I pray
That my love and faith
In the girl
Will bring her back to me
Ooh, whether
Whether she knows or not
She really needs me too
The little girl
Is all I got
Yes she is
And giving up
Giving up is so hard to do
Giving up
So hard to do
Giving up
So very hard to do
I said I've tried it
But I just can't get loose
Giving up
So hard for me to do
I don't want to lose you
'Cause you mean
So much to me
Giving up...
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Van Mccoy
Giving Up lyrics © Van Mccoy Music, Inc



Big Jay Tezzy

Giving up is hard to do
When you really love someone
Giving up... so hard to do
When you still depend upon
Her warm and tender touch
Her kiss and her hug.....her caress
Oooooh that used to mean so much
And bring you happiness
Woooo ooooooooh

Giving up, so hard to do
I've tried
But it just ain't no use
Giving up, so hard to do
I said I've tried
But it just ain't no use
But my light of hope is burning dim
But
But in my heart I pray
That my love and faith in the girl
My love...will bring her back someday

I'm talking 'bout when you really love someone

Whether
Whether she knows or not
She really needs me too
The little girl is all I got
Yes she is
And giving, giving up is hard to do
Giving up
So hard to do
Heey...giving up
So very hard to do
I said I've tried
Hey, but I just can't get loose
Giving up
So hard for me to do
I don't want to lose you
Cause you mean so much to me



Leslie Sanchez

Lyrics :
Giving up
Is hard to do
When you really
Love someone
Giving up
So hard to do
When you still depend upon
Her warm and tender touch
Her kiss and her caress
Ooh, they used to
Mean so much
And bring you happiness
Giving up
So hard to do
I've tried
But it just ain't no use
Giving up
So hard to do
I said I've tried
But it just ain't no use
But my light of hope
Is burning dim
But in my heart I pray
That my love and faith
In the girl
Will bring her back to me
Ooh, whether
Whether she knows or not
She really needs me too
The little girl
Is all I got
Yes she is
And giving up
Giving up is so hard to do
Giving up
So hard to do
Giving up
So very hard to do
I said I've tried it
But I just can't get loose
Giving up
So hard for me to do
I don't want to lose you
'Cause you mean
So much to me
Giving up...



All comments from YouTube:

Tamieka Gaines

This song healed my soul when I was forced to leave my ex. I almost died mentally. But he was hurting me in a toxic way and I left cold Turkey. But after I stayed gone I started healing, my love turned into common sense. I started to fall in love with myself. I replaced anger with thankfulness because I realized God brought me through and kept me. I loved him deeply but I loved myself more and now I'm happy, single, and more vibrant than I have ever been. Thanks Lenny for your words to ministering to my soul

Cy Anderson

Tamieka Gaines.....Kudos to u for getting out of a toxic relationship🙂 im glad your happy & more vibrant than u have ever been😊

Comedian Christopher Holmes

I'm in that same place right now..was forced to leave after catching my wife cheating on me. I love her but I don't want a woman that does me that way...she sent this song to me...imagine that.

Sarah Wheeler

Me too sis !!

Kevin Childs

This is Donny .. Hathaway.. not Lenny 😉

Kevin Childs

@Comedian Christopher Holmes
Check out the original sparkle .. Sista killed this song ….

8 More Replies...

georgia le

Donny Hathaway was on a whole other level. He just makes you get this unexplainable feeling that's so great but sad at the same time. It's so peaceful. Rip Donny

Brian Jones

What a terrific iconic saxophone solo by King Curtis in the middle of this beautiful song. It sure lifts the spirits. Donny was a master of vocal magic.

Sylvia Bellamy

Donny Hathaway totally underrated. I realized a lot of songs were somber! He was diagnosed a manic depression and schrizonina. Even with his challenges he was an incredible writer and singer! Miss you Donnie!

Denny

Eyes closed... shaking your head...stank face... that's what you feel when you hear this soulfulllll song!  

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