In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hayes became famous as a recording artist in his own right, scoring with critically and commercially successful albums such as Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses. Hayes is best known today for composing the score to the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft. That film's "Theme from Shaft" was one of the best-selling singles in Stax Records history, and Hayes became the first African-American to win an Oscar for a non-acting category when "Theme from Shaft" won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Song.
Isaac Hayes may be known to today's youngest generation as the voice of the character "Chef", the ladies' man/school cook, on the animated sitcom South Park from 1997 until his resignation from the show in March 2006. While Hayes' departure was tagged to a controversial South Park episode on Scientology that had supposedly offended him, Hayes rarely declared anything about the departure in first person.
part time love
Isaac Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People, I got to find me, a part time love
Oh, I need, I need me a part time love
Every time, every time my baby leaves me
You know I need a part time love
The people in the cemetery, they're not all alone
Some turn to dust and some have bone
Than to live lonely, each and everyday
I need me
I need me a part time love
Every time my woman leaves me
You know I need a part time love
She came home this morning
I asked her where she'd been
She said, "Don't ask me no questions, baby
'Cause I'll be leaving again"
I've got to find me
Don't you see, I've got to find me
A part time love, my baby leaves me
I need a part time love, yes, I do
Oh every time my woman leaves me
Have to suffer the whole time, she's gone
I got to say it again when she leaves me
I suffer every time, she's gone
When she leaves me
I just got to have me a part time love
Is there somebody out there?
Oh I need, I need me a part time love
Can't say it too much
I need, oh, I need
Isaac Hayes's “Part Time Love” is a song about the need for love and companionship, even if it is just temporary at times. The singer of the song is searching for a “part time love” because he cannot bear the loneliness he feels when his woman leaves him. He compares the sadness of being alone to being six feet under, saying he would rather be dead than feel the pain of separation. The phrase “part time love” implies that the singer wants a love that is only temporary, not a full-time commitment. He just wants someone to be with when his woman is not around.
The song also touches on the idea that people are never truly alone, even when they are dead. The singer says that the people in the cemetery are not all alone because some have bones and others have turned to dust. This seems to be a commentary on the idea of eternal life or an afterlife. The singer seems to suggest that people are never truly alone, even in death, because parts of them remain behind.
Overall, the song speaks to the human need for love and companionship. Even if the love is only temporary, it can provide comfort during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I got to find me
I am in search of
People, I got to find me, a part time love
I require someone who can love me partially
Oh, I need, I need me a part time love
I am in dire need of a lover who can be with me sometimes
Every time, every time my baby leaves me
Whenever my lover parts with me
You know I need a part time love
I need someone who can comfort me while my lover is away
The people in the cemetery, they're not all alone
The individuals buried here are accompanied by dust and bones
Some turn to dust and some have bone
The substance of their being is returned to dust, or bone
You know I'd rather be dead, six feet in the grave
I would prefer death and burial
Than to live lonely, each and everyday
Rather than live a solitary life day after day
I need me
I require
I need me a part time love
I need someone who can love me partially
Every time my woman leaves me
Whenever my lover parts with me
You know I need a part time love
I need someone who can comfort me while my lover is away
She came home this morning
My lover returned this morning
I asked her where she'd been
I inquired about her whereabouts
She said, "Don't ask me no questions, baby
My lover refused to answer my inquiries, stating that
'Cause I'll be leaving again"
she would soon be departing once more
I've got to find me
I need to locate someone who can
Don't you see, I've got to find me
Can't you understand that I require
A part time love, my baby leaves me
Someone who can love me partially, while my lover partakes in pastimes without me
I need a part time love, yes, I do
Yes, I require a lover who can be with me sometimes
Oh every time my woman leaves me
Whenever my lover parts with me
Have to suffer the whole time, she's gone
I must endure the entirety of her absence
I got to say it again when she leaves me
I have to state it anew when she parts with me
I suffer every time, she's gone
I am pained with every departure
When she leaves me
Whenever my lover parts with me
I just got to have me a part time love
I require someone who can love me partially
Is there somebody out there?
Is there anyone available?
Oh I need, I need me a part time love
I am in dire need of a lover who can be with me sometimes
Can't say it too much
I cannot emphasize it enough
I need, oh, I need
I require
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAY HAMMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
boubix
this album is a masterpiece
Jim Mower
Was lucky enough to see mr Hayes live before he passed. A night I'll never forget. What a superstar. Ordering the reissue of this album on vinyl tomorrow!
hondotoo
bought the vinyl in chicago 30 years ago... still have it!
Hill-Billy Boy
Lucky man!
nenad sekulic
Legends never die!!I was blessed that I had met him!
T Y
As someone who never met The Ike, we can only agree that the dear Nenad-of-Sekulic was only truly blessed.
ERIC ROBINSON
And the ladies sounded so groovy harmonizing at the end of this song. His back up singers were that deal.
Loretta Prince
Here it is 2021 and this album still makes me close my eyes and rewind relationships both good and bad 🤦🏾♀️ This is one of my favorite albums. The voice, the music, the lyrics....just chilling y’all. Think I need a a half glass of wine 🍷 😌yassssss! Too much wine 🍷 and I will find myself fighting back 😢😭🤷🏽♀️
themaincat85
Ike was the real deal. This album is Whatzup!!!
Joyce Scott
His acting = meh BUT you can't beat that voice & the lyrics . . . he was around for my teens and early 20s . . . just when I needed him most ! ! !