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: " .

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Irma Thomas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wish I knew how
It would feel to be free
I wish I could break
All the chains holding me
I wish I could say

All the things that I should say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear

For the whole round world to hear
I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart

Remove all the bars
That keep us apart
I wish you could know
What it means to be me
Then you'd see and agree
That every man should be free

I wish I could give
All I'm longin' to give
I wish I could live
Like I'm longin' to live
I wish I could do
All the things that I can do
And though I'm way over due
I'd be starting a new

Well I wish I could be
Like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be
If I found I could fly
Oh I'd soar to the sun
And look down at the sea

Than I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
Then I'd sing 'cause I know

I'd know how it feels
Oh I know how it feels to be free
Yea yea! oh, I know how it feels

Yes I know
Oh, I know
How it feels

How it feels
To be free

Overall Meaning

In Irma Thomas's song "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free," the repeated refrain "I wish I knew how it would feel to be free" embodies the struggle for personal and collective freedom. The song speaks to the experiences of those who are oppressed and confined, who long for liberation and the ability to be themselves without fear of judgment or reprisal. The "chains" and "bars" that are mentioned in the lyrics represent the social and cultural restrictions that prevent individuals from realizing their full potential and living fulfilling lives.

The song is a call to action, urging listeners to break free from their own bonds and work towards a more just and equitable society. It encourages people to speak out and share their truth with the world, to love deeply and remove the barriers that keep them from connecting with others, and to pursue their dreams and aspirations without fear or hesitation.

As a self-proclaimed "queen of New Orleans soul," Irma Thomas's powerful vocals give the song a sense of urgency and conviction that resonates with audiences. Her performance embodies the courage and determination required to overcome obstacles and achieve true freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I knew how
I desire to possess knowledge of a feeling

It would feel to be free
The feeling I desire is that of liberation

I wish I could break
I yearn to rid myself of the shackles

All the chains holding me
Those which have restricted my actions and freedom

I wish I could say
I aspire to verbalize

All the things that I should say
My innermost thoughts and emotions that I have been holding back

Say 'em loud say 'em clear
To express them vociferously and coherently

For the whole round world to hear
So that everyone can be aware of my true feelings

I wish I could share
I long to impart

All the love that's in my heart
The deep affection that I possess within me

Remove all the bars
Eliminate any hindrances

That keep us apart
Which are causing distance between us

I wish you could know
I wish you understood

What it means to be me
My individual experiences and identity

Then you'd see and agree
If you comprehend, you will acknowledge

That every man should be free
All humans should possess the liberty to act and live without external constraints

I wish I could give
I yearn to bestow

All I'm longin' to give
Everything I aspire to present

I wish I could live
I wish to be able to exist

Like I'm longin' to live
As I long to live - freely, and without any limitations

I wish I could do
I desire the ability to act

All the things that I can do
Things that are within my capability, but have been denied to me in the past

And though I'm way over due
Despite the delay and missed opportunities

I'd be starting a new
I would initiate a fresh beginning

Well I wish I could be
I dream of transforming into

Like a bird in the sky
As free as the avian creature soaring in the heavens

How sweet it would be
It would be supremely pleasant

If I found I could fly
If I discovered my own ability to fly

Oh I'd soar to the sun
I would take flight and climb to the sun

And look down at the sea
And admire the ocean from above

Than I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
I would express my happiness through song, without any doubt or hesitation

I'd know how it feels
I would become aware of the sensation

Oh I know how it feels to be free
That sensation being the feeling of liberation, which I have already experienced before

Yea yea! oh, I know how it feels
Yes, indeed! I am already familiar with the sensations of freedom

Yes I know
I hold the knowledge

Oh, I know
Indeed, I am certain

How it feels
About the sensation of freedom that I have experienced before

How it feels
I am fully aware of how it feels

To be free
The sensation I am discussing is that of liberation from external constraints

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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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