Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60's. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960's by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980's.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of "Time Is On My Side," which predated the hit version by the Rolling Stones. Otis Redding's hit "Pain In My Heart" was built on an earlier song, "Ruler of My Heart," recorded by Thomas.
Thomas is still active as a performer, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and various tour dates in the US and Europe. She has reigned as Queen of the Krewe du Vieux for the 1998 New Orleans Mardi Gras season and often headlined at her own club, the Lion's Den, which is now out of business due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Irma Thomas has participated in numerous post-Katrina charity projects including The New Orleans Social Club, and won numerous awards including the Offbeat Magazine Award, Mojo Magazine's Legends award, Big Easy Award, a Family Services Award and many more. In 2009, Scott Billington compiled a Rounder records retrospective "Irma Thomas: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Soul Queen of New Orleans: " .
14.wish someone would care
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting home alone, thinkin' about my past
Wonderin' how I made it, and how long it's gonna last
Success has come to lots of them, and failure's always there
Time, time waits for no one and I wish, how I wish someone would care
Some folks think you're happy, when you wear your smile
What about your tribulations, and all, all of your trials
The good, the bad, the hurt, all of this goes too
And I wish, how I wish, how I wish someone would care
I wish someone would care
Don't you think someone should care?
Ah don't you think someone should care?
Sit down and think about yourself
Ah don't you think someone should care?
Mm, don't you think someone should care?
Ah don't you think someone should care?
The lyrics to Irma Thomas's song "Wish Someone Would Care" reflect the feelings of isolation and loneliness that come with personal struggles. The singer of the song is sitting alone, reflecting on the successes of others and wondering how she made it this far and how long she will be able to continue moving forward. She recognizes that while success is attainable, failure is always waiting in the wings. Despite this, she longs for someone to care about her, to see beyond the smiles she wears and recognize the pain and trials she hides.
The chorus of the song expresses this desire for someone to care. The singer acknowledges that smiles can be deceiving, and that they hide both good and bad experiences. She longs for someone to understand her pain and struggles, to care about her as a person. The repetition of the phrase "I wish, how I wish someone would care" highlights the depth of the singer's need for connection and caring.
Overall, the lyrics to "Wish Someone Would Care" poignantly express the universal human desire for love and support in the face of life's hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
Cry, cry
Expressing sadness and feeling of being neglected
Sitting home alone, thinkin' about my past
Being alone and reminiscing about the past, considering one's regrets and limitations
Wonderin' how I made it, and how long it's gonna last
Contemplating one's accomplishments and longevity of one's success
Success has come to lots of them, and failure's always there
Acknowledging that success is not exclusive and failure is always a possibility
Time, time waits for no one and I wish, how I wish someone would care
Feeling helpless towards the inevitability of time and expressing a desire for someone to care
Some folks think you're happy, when you wear your smile
Pointing out how people can perceive happiness through external appearance
What about your tribulations, and all, all of your trials
Reminding others to consider the struggles that a person may face despite their smile
Smiles, smiles hide a lots a things
Emphasizing how smiles can conceal one's true emotions and burdens
The good, the bad, the hurt, all of this goes too
Acknowledging that everyone has highs and lows in life, but they eventually pass
And I wish, how I wish, how I wish someone would care
Reiterating the desire for someone to show concern and attention
Don't you think someone should care?
Asking others to consider the importance of showing compassion and empathy towards others
Sit down and think about yourself
Encouraging reflection on one's own actions and behavior towards others
Mm, don't you think someone should care?
Repeating the question to emphasize its significance
Ah don't you think someone should care?
Asking again to emphasize the importance of caring
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRMA THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Mueller
on These Honey Dos
Irma Thomas - These Honey Dos lyrics
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sittin' there
Two good legs, two good arms
Your butt stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, that's where yer at
C1/
I tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
V2/
Honey, when I'm away
You always got to know
Who I see, what I do
And everywhere I go
And it's, while yer out, here's the list
Drop off that, pick up this
Yer still in that chair, that's where you is
C2/
Please don't make me try
To get away from you
I'm right here for ya, baby
But ya gotta give me somethin' too
Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
B/
I'd do most everything
That I ever could do
All the love I got
I only give ta you
Honey, if you knew
A lover from a crutch
You'd know that everything yer doin'
Don't amount ta much
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sitting there
With two good legs, and two good arms
And your butt still stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, just gettin' fat
C1/
Tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Are gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
{Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?} ( 2x )
Spoken:
Honey do this, honey do that
Reach for this, reach for that
Now where is please?
Where is thank you?
Yer making a very large assumption
And you know what they say about the word assumption
Now you know you king of this castle
(As long as I'm in it)
But you gotta put a little please in there sometimes
And every now 'n' then think of some Honey Don'ts to say
Y'know? You got me
I wouldn't stay here, if I didn't love ya
But every now and then, put in some please and thank yous
Do ya Honey Do?
Turn 'em into Honey Don'ts
Moses Davis
on Hurt's All Gone
my goodness ump I cant get enough