Irma Thomas (b. February 18, 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana) whose only natio… Read Full Bio ↴Irma Thomas (b. February 18, 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana) whose only national chart hit in a 50 year career is 1963's "Wish Someone Would Care", is an enduring, Grammy winning, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. Known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans", she is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but did not tour as relentlessly, and industry support and major commercial success eluded her for decades. Thomas, who once was told by execs at Atlantic in the late 60's that "she just didn't have it anymore", remained undaunted, and continues to perform to a loyal and growing following worldwide. She was finally awarded a Grammy for her 2006 Rounder album " After the Rain", after more than 40 years as singer. She won The Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy again for her 2008 album "Simply Grand".

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: " .

He's My Guy
Irma Thomas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

he;s my guy
I don't care what they say about him
he's my guy
I don't know what I'd do with out him
as long as he needs me
right by his side i'll be
cause he;s my guy

I pray that we;ll always be together
I pray that he'll love me forever

no one else
could ever kiss me the way he does at night
and no one else
could ever hold me the way he holds me

as long as he wants me

right by his side i'll be
cause he's my guy

Overall Meaning

In "He's My Guy," Irma Thomas talks about a relationship where she is deeply committed and devoted to her man. It appears that other people have negative opinions and beliefs about him, but she refuses to listen to them. She repeats the statement that he is her guy, which implies that she holds on to him no matter what. In the second verse, Thomas prays for their love to last forever. This prayer and her declarations of love and devotion couple with the physical gestures of affection and intimacy. He is the only one who can hold her a certain way or kiss her a specific way. In this relationship, her loyalty is unmatched.

The song is generally about the power and depth of love in a committed relationship, particularly when it's challenged by other people's negative opinions. Irma Thomas's voice and delivery are authentic and powerful in conveying the strength of her convictions. The song signifies that love can endure all, as long as both parties are fully committed to each other. It tells a universal story of love, loyalty, and commitment that people can relate to and attach their experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

he's my guy
I am in love with him and I have chosen him to be my partner.

I don't care what they say about him
I am not bothered about any negative comments made about him by other people.

I don't know what I'd do with out him
I cannot imagine my life without him, he is an important part of my life.

as long as he needs me
I will always be there for him whenever he needs me.

right by his side i'll be
I will always be there to support and stand by him.

cause he's my guy
He is the one I love and I am committed to being with him.

I pray that we'll always be together
I hope that we can maintain our relationship and stay together forever.

I pray that he'll love me forever
I hope that he will continue to love me for a long time and that our love will never fade.

no one else could ever kiss me the way he does at night
The way he kisses me is unique and special, no one else can replicate it.

and no one else could ever hold me the way he holds me
The way he holds me is special and no one else can hold me like he does.

as long as he wants me
As long as he continues to want me, I will be with him.