From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
Better To Have and Not Need
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl you just don't give me no more (inspiration).
Listen to me,
You gone and lost that (lovin' feeling),
But you won't see me packin' up my clothes and (goin' leavin').
It's better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
Than need and don't have.
You know that a man without a woman,
Is sure gonna feel bad.
Girl you cause me so much (pain and sorrow),
But you know we haven't no money momma is it (so much harder).
You better know it yeah.
Friends stop by my house (instigating),
But you know there won't be no no (separating).
It's better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
Much better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
You know that a woman without a man,
Is sure gonna be sad.
(Feel so sad, yeah)
You know my clouds don't have a (silver lining),
Don't throw no umbrella on me 'cause the (sun is shinning).
I remember when you loved me you used to (keep me honey),
Well I like the lyrics to your song I just can't (feel the music).
It's better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
Much better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
Somebody is better than nobody,
To have, have, have.
(Oh yeah)
It's better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
Much better to have and don't need,
Than need and don't have.
You know that a man without a woman,
He's gonna feel so bad.
You know that a woman without a man,
She's gonna
She's gonna
Feel so sad.
The opening lines of "Better to Have and Not Need" are a play on the famous Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." Huey Lewis sings about not being able to find satisfaction, but instead of it being from a materialistic standpoint, he's referring to his lack of inspiration and motivation. He expresses frustration with his partner for not being able to give him that spark anymore, but at the same time, he's not willing to leave her because it's better to have her around than to be alone. The chorus emphasizes this point, stating that it's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.
The second verse continues with Lewis expressing his pain and sorrow at being in a less than ideal situation, including not having money to spare. He acknowledges that his friends are trying to help by pushing him to leave his partner, but he's not willing to give up what he has. The pre-chorus reinforces this sentiment, stating that even though he's not getting what he needs from his partner, having someone is better than being alone.
The final verse includes a reference to the song Lewis's partner wrote about him, but he can't connect with the music because of how he's feeling. The repeated chorus once again reinforces the idea that having someone, even if they're not perfect, is better than being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I can't get no more (satisfaction)
The singer is no longer feeling satisfied with his relationship.
Girl you just don't give me no more (inspiration)
His partner is no longer inspiring him.
You gone and lost that (lovin' feeling)
His partner's feelings of love for him have diminished.
But you won't see me packin' up my clothes and (goin' leavin')
The singer won't leave the relationship despite its issues.
It's better to have and don't need, Than need and don't have.
It is preferable to have something even if it is not necessary, than to need something and not have it available.
You know that a man without a woman, Is sure gonna feel bad.
Not having a partner can cause feelings of sadness and loneliness in a man.
Girl you cause me so much (pain and sorrow)
His partner has caused him a lot of emotional pain and heartache.
But you know we haven't no money momma is it (so much harder)
Their financial situation is making things even more difficult.
Friends stop by my house (instigating)
His friends are trying to push him to end the relationship.
But you know there won't be no no (separating)
Despite the outside pressure, the singer and his partner will not separate.
You know my clouds don't have a (silver lining)
The singer isn't seeing any positives in his current situation.
Don't throw no umbrella on me 'cause the (sun is shinning)
He does not need anyone to try and fix things for him because things are looking up.
I remember when you loved me you used to (keep me honey)
In the past, his partner was affectionate and attentive.
Well I like the lyrics to your song I just can't (feel the music)
The singer appreciates his partner's words, but is not connecting with her emotionally.
Somebody is better than nobody, To have, have, have.
It is better to have someone in his life, even if it is not the perfect relationship.
You know that a woman without a man, She's gonna, She's gonna, Feel so sad.
Not having a partner can cause feelings of sadness and loneliness in a woman.
Lyrics © RAWSTOCK MUSIC
Written by: D. COVAY, E. WATTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind