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: " .
Be You
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you forget how to pretend
And when you only got a beginning
I'll be your end
Everything falls apart
I'll be your brand new star
[Chorus]
All you got to do baby is be you
I'll be your every kind of money
When you down to your last dime
Ill be a year or 2 when your running out of time
And if your star don't ever shine
It still be there in the light of mine
[Chorus]
I'll come up with something
As long as you are somewhere
And no matter where or when you need me
I'm going to get it there
I'll be your granulated sugar
When your craving something sweet
If your out of sink
I'll get you back on the beat
Your still my horse an case
You never ever win a race
[Chorus]
I'll be your super fast express when you train is running slow
And when the signs all say stop
I'll make em all say go
If your star don't ever shine
You'll be in the light of mine
[Chorus: x3]
The lyrics of the song "Be You" by Irma Thomas are a testament to the unconditional love and support between two people. In the first verse, the singer assures her loved one that she will help him keep his imagination alive, even when he forgets how to pretend. She also promises to be there for him in every beginning and end he experiences. When everything seems to fall apart, she will be the brand new star he needs.
In the following verses, the singer extends her support to her loved one by offering him financial help, emotional support, and even the motivation to keep going when he feels like giving up. She is the granulated sugar when he craves something sweet, and also the super-fast express when his train is running slow. No matter what, she will always be his light and guide him to find his own way.
The chorus, "All you got to do baby is be you" is a sweet reminder that the person she's singing to doesn't need to be anyone else but himself. The singer accepts him as he is, without any conditions and encourages him to embrace his true self, no matter what people may say.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be your imagination,
I will provide you with ideas to imagine when you can't do it yourself.
If you forget how to pretend
I will help you pretend when you forget how to.
And when you only got a beginning
I will be there to help you get started when you have nothing.
I'll be your end
I will be by your side until the end.
Everything falls apart
When everything seems to be falling apart, I will be there to help you pull yourself together.
I'll be your brand new star
I will give you hope and illuminate your path when you need it most.
Chorus: All you got to do baby is be you
Just be yourself and have confidence in your abilities.
I'll be your every kind of money
I will support you financially when you don't have anything left.
When you're down to your last dime
I will be there for you even when you have nothing left.
I'll be a year or 2 when your running out of time
Even when you feel like you're running out of time, I will be there to help you make the most of it.
And if your star don't ever shine
Even if your dreams seem impossible, I will still believe in you and help you shine.
It still be there in the light of mine
I will help you find your way to success even if your path seems dark and uncertain.
I'll come up with something
I will find creative solutions to any problem you may face.
As long as you are somewhere
No matter where you are or what you're doing, I will be there to help you.
And no matter where or when you need me
I will always be there for you, no matter what.
I'm going to get it there
I will do everything in my power to make sure you succeed and achieve your goals.
I'll be your granulated sugar
I will be there to sweeten the bad times and make them tolerable.
When you're craving something sweet
Even when you're feeling down or lost, I will be there to lift your spirits.
If you're out of sync
When you feel out of balance or disconnected, I will help you find your rhythm.
I'll get you back on the beat
I will help guide you back to a place of stability, purpose, and progress.
You're still my horse in case
I will support you even when you struggle or fail, because I believe in your potential.
You never ever win a race
Even if you never achieve your main goal, I will still be there to celebrate your journey and all you've accomplished.
I'll be your super fast express when your train is running slow
I will help you move forward quickly even when obstacles arise.
And when the signs all say stop
Even when it seems like the world is holding you back, I will be there to support and encourage you.
I'll make em all say go
I will help you overcome any and all barriers to success and progress.
Chorus: All you got to do baby is be you (x3)
Just be yourself and have confidence in your abilities.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOC POMUS, MAC REBENNACK, MALCOLM J. REBENNACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@strathattack4325
Black Mirror fans, stand for your national anthem!
@dyjomusic
Strath Attack 😂😂🙌🏻
@toms6728
National anthem
@shanaleepalmer9819
PRESENT!!!!
@SuperSMT
Get that pig AWAY FROM ME
@marthacastro9263
PRESENT IN 2019!
@jacel987
This song feels like drinking a glass of juice while watching complete chaos outside your window.
@darkmodeaj
True it feels like an end of the world type of song
@DivyashreeMangalorkar
Juice?
@a.n.g.3709
@@DivyashreeMangalorkar hes Talking about Black mirror ep. 2