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: " .
What Can I Do
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you need from me to believe I need it?
What would it take, to change your heart and start again?
[Chorus]
Tell me, what can I do to make you happy?
Ill make you happy if you just let me
What can I do to make you love me again?
What do I need to leave you?
What does it take to quit when your heart wont let you?
Nothing I know so here I am, and there you are
[Chorus]
So tell me what it takes? Thats what ill do
Just don't tell me that its over,
Say I've got a chance, its not so much to ask
[Chorus]
And want me again, tell me what can I do?
Tell me what can I do?
In Irma Thomas's song "What Can I Do," the lyrics express the desperation of someone who has lost the love of their life and is desperate to win it back. The first verse questions what actions need to be taken to see the lover again and what needs to be done to prove their love. The second verse questions what it takes to move on and leave the lover, when the heart won't let them do it. The chorus pleads for answers on what needs to be done to make the lover happy and to love again.
The desperation in the lyrics is highlighted by the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the desire to make things right and the need for guidance. The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to win back their lover's heart and is asking for a chance to prove it.
Overall, the lyrics convey the depth of love that can drive someone to the brink of desperation, willing to do anything to save a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I do to see you?
What actions can I take to be in your presence?
What do you need from me to believe I need it?
What can I do to convince you that I truly need what you have to offer?
What would it take, to change your heart and start again?
What actions can I take to make you open your heart and start fresh with me?
Tell me, what can I do to make you happy?
What steps can I take to bring happiness into your life?
Ill make you happy if you just let me
I am willing to work hard to bring happiness into your life if you give me the chance.
What can I do to make you love me again?
What actions can I take to rekindle the love that was once between us?
What do I need to leave you?
What actions do I need to take to distance myself from you?
What does it take to quit when your heart won't let you?
What actions are necessary to move on from you when my heart is still attached?
Nothing I know so here I am, and there you are
I am still here and you are still there, and I don't know what else to do.
So tell me what it takes? Thats what ill do
Please tell me what I need to do to make things work, and I will do it.
Just don't tell me that it's over,
I am not ready to hear that it's all over between us.
Say I've got a chance, it's not so much to ask
Please tell me that I still have a chance with you, as it is a small request.
And want me again, tell me what can I do?
Please let me know what steps I need to take for you to want me again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURT F. BACHARACH, STEVEN M. KRIKORIAN
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