Prior to their first recording, “Please, Please, Please”, The Famous Flames… Read Full Bio ↴Prior to their first recording, “Please, Please, Please”, The Famous Flames were billed simply as The Flames, and Brown himself was billed as a member of the group. In later concerts and recordings Brown and the group were billed as James Brown and The Famous Flames, or sometimes as James Brown and His Famous Flames.

And I Do Just What I Want
James Brown & The Famous Flames Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want you to be no slave,
I don't want you to work all day,
But I want you to be true,
And I just wanna make love to you.
Love to you [Repeat: x3]

All I want to do is wash your clothes;
I don't want to keep you indoors.

There is nothing for you to do
But keep me makin' love to you.
Love to you [Repeat: x3]

And I can tell by the way you walk that walk,
I can hear by the way you talk that talk,
I can know by the way you treat your girl
That I can give you all the lovin' in the whole wide world!
All I want you to do is make your bread!
Just to make sure you're well-fed!
I don't want you sad and blue!
And I just wanna make love to you.
Love to you [Repeat: x3]

And I can tell by the way you walk that walk,
And I can hear by the way you talk that talk,
And I can know by the way you treat your girl
That I could give you all the lovin' in the whole wide world!
Oh, all I wanna do, all I wanna do is cook your bread!
Just to make sure that you're well-fed!
I don't want you sad and blue,

And I just wanna make love to you.
Love to you [Repeat: x4]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "And I Do Just What I Want" by James Brown & The Famous Flames convey a desire for independence and a rejection of traditional societal expectations. The song begins by stating that the singer does not want their partner to be a slave or work all day. Instead, they emphasize the importance of being true to oneself and express a desire for a loving physical connection. The repetition of the phrase "Love to you" emphasizes the focus on intimacy and pleasure as the main priority in the relationship.

The second verse expands on the theme of independence by suggesting that the singer wants to take care of their partner's domestic chores, such as washing their clothes, but does not want to confine them to the indoors. The emphasis is placed on the simplicity of their partner's role, which is solely to allow the singer to continue making love to them.

The final verse reiterates the idea of understanding and knowing their partner through their actions and treatment of others. The singer asserts that they can provide all the love in the world, but in return, they expect their partner to ensure their own well-being by making their own bread and being well-fed. Ultimately, the main goal of the singer is to be in a loving and satisfying relationship, free from sadness and loneliness.

Overall, this song is an expression of the singer's desire for freedom, both in terms of societal expectations and the dynamics of the relationship, and their prioritization of physical love and passion.

And I Do Just What I WantJames Brown & The Famous Flames Lyrics

And I Do Just What I Want
James Brown & The Famous Flames Lyrics