Prisoner Of Love
James Brown & The Famous Flames Lyrics
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Doesn't belong to me
Someone who can't be faithful
Knows that I have to be
Wonder if I am wrong to give her my loyalty
Why should I be a lone soul
Why can't I be my own soul
Too weak to break the chains that bind me
I need no shackles to remind me
I'm just a prisner of love
For one comand I stand and wait now
From one who's master of my Fate now
I can't escape for it's too late now
I'm just a prisoner of love
What's the good of my caring if someone is sharing
Those arms with me
Although she has another
I can't have another
For I'm not free
She's in my dreams awake or sleeping
Up on my knees to her I'm creeping
My very life is in her keeping
I'm just a prisoner of love.
Love.
The song "Prisoner of Love" by James Brown & The Famous Flames is a lament of unrequited love. The singer is in love with someone who belongs to someone else, and knows that the object of his affection can't be faithful to him. Despite this knowledge, he remains loyal to her and wonders if he is wrong to do so. He feels trapped in this situation, unable to break free from the chains that bind him, and sees himself as a prisoner of love.
The singer reflects on his longing to be his own "soul" rather than belonging to someone else. He is filled with a sense of loneliness and powerlessness as he waits for the one he loves to command him. His fate is in her hands, and he can't escape it for it's too late. He is aware of the situation and knows that it's not right for him to care for someone who is sharing her arms with someone else. Despite this, he cannot help his desire for her and is willing to be on his knees before her, as his very life is in her keeping.
This song beautifully captures the feeling of being trapped in a love that cannot be fully realized. The singer's yearning is palpable, and the lyrics are poignant and expressive. The soulful melody contributes to the mood of the song, making it a classic in the genre of rhythm and blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone that I belong to
There is a person who I feel I belong to, as if we are meant to be together.
Doesn't belong to me
However, that person does not feel the same way about me, and is not mine.
Someone who can't be faithful
This person is not capable of being loyal or faithful to me.
Knows that I have to be
Even though I know I should be loyal and faithful to this person, they are not able to do the same for me.
Wonder if I am wrong to give her my loyalty
Sometimes I question if I am doing the right thing by being loyal to someone who does not reciprocate my feelings.
Why should I be a lone soul
I do not understand why I should be alone and not have someone to share my life with.
Why can't I be my own soul
I wish I could be independent and not rely on someone else for my happiness.
Alone from night to night you'll find me
I spend my nights alone, without anyone to share them with.
Too weak to break the chains that bind me
Although I want to break free from this situation, I feel powerless and unable to do so.
I need no shackles to remind me
I do not need physical restraints to be reminded that I am a prisoner, as my emotional attachment is enough to keep me trapped.
I'm just a prisoner of love
Overall, my feelings have me trapped and unable to break free.
For one command I stand and wait now
I am willing to obey this person's every command and wait for their approval.
From one who's master of my Fate now
This person has control over my life and destiny.
I can't escape for it's too late now
I feel like it is impossible to escape from this situation because I am already too deeply invested.
What's the good of my caring if someone is sharing
I do not see the point of caring for someone who is sharing their love with another person.
Those arms with me
This person is physically or emotionally involved with another, and not fully committed to me.
Although she has another
Even though this person is involved with someone else, I am not free to pursue other relationships.
I can't have another
My emotional attachment to this person prevents me from seeking other romantic relationships.
For I'm not free
I feel like I am held captive by my emotions and cannot break free from this cycle.
She's in my dreams awake or sleeping
This person is always on my mind, even when I am sleeping.
Up on my knees to her I'm creeping
My devotion to this person makes me feel subservient and like I am creeping towards her on my knees.
My very life is in her keeping
My whole life and emotional well-being is wrapped up in this one person and their feelings towards me.
I'm just a prisoner of love.
Overall, I am trapped and unable to break free from my emotional attachment to this person, like a prisoner under lock and key.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ENRIQUE ELIAS GARCIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Blissert
Everybody wants to talk about the performance, but can we talk about that tux jacket/vest combo? Incredible.
Claude Abraham
Very chic & stylish.
Zulema Williams
Thank you zooted and boated
Zulema Williams
Thank you zooted and boated
Blue Zodiac
This is his best performance out of the many times of this song.
Greg Rambo
@William Parker
Check live in Paris 1967. The best one I've heard for this song.
William Parker
Yeah!
Live Life
200% PURE SOUL! Nobody will ever compare to JB. He oozes Soul from every orifice of his body.
TheShabazzProduction
We just loved him!!! He put so much of everything in what he did. I'm glad I caught him at the height of his power in 1968, he
tore The Apollo Theatre up. I wanted to stay for a second show, but the alter guys cleared the place out. I thought of hiding
under a seat, but I knew that wasn't going to work. Years later in the 80's a caught him again at the same theatre.
Jaquaveon Andress
Lucky