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.

No No No No
James Brown and The Famous Flames Lyrics

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Well, don't leave me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't leave me baby, yeah
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't leave me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)

Don't leave me baby

(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't leave me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't go, don't go
(Don’t go, don't go, don’t go)

Yeah, don’t quit me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don’t quit me baby, tonight
(No, no, no, no, no)
Foolin’ with me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)

Don’t quit me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don’t quit me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't go, don't go
(Don't go, don't go, don’t go)

I've been shoved
(Oh-oh, yeah)
I've been loved
(Oh-oh, yeah)
I've been laid
(Oh-oh, yeah)
In my grave
(Oh-oh, yeah)

Told my friends
(Oh-oh, yeah)
My best pals
(Oh-oh, yeah)
Don't ever let me
Catch you with my gal

Don't leave me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't leave me baby
(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't leave me baby

(No, no, no, no, no)
Don't go, don't go, don't go, don't go

Overall Meaning

The song "No No No No" by James Brown is a desperate plea from the singer to his lover to stay with him. Brown repeats the phrase "Don't leave me baby" throughout the song, emphasizing his fear of being left alone. He is begging and pleading, with a sense of desperation in his voice that is palpable.

In the second verse, Brown expresses his grievances, listing the things he has been through, like being shoved, loved, laid, and put in his grave. He also warns his friends not to come between him and his lover. The repetition of "No no no no" in every line of the verse emphasizes Brown's anxiety and desperation.

The entire song is underpinned by a funky bassline, syncopated drum rhythm, and horns that add a sense of urgency. It's a classic example of Brown's soulful funk music that influenced so many other artists.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, don't leave me baby (No, no, no, no, no)
Please don't leave me, baby. I am begging you not to, and I am repeating myself because it is very important that you understand how much I want you to stay.

Don't leave me baby, yeah (No, no, no, no, no) Don't leave me baby (No, no, no, no, no)
I am really desperate for you to stay with me. I am repeating myself because I don't want you to miss how important it is to me.

Don't go, don't go (Don’t go, don't go, don’t go)
I am so afraid and uncertain about what will happen if you leave that I am begging you not to go. I am repeating myself to emphasize how much I don't want you to leave.

Yeah, don’t quit me baby (No, no, no, no, no) Don’t quit me baby, tonight (No, no, no, no, no) Foolin’ with me baby (No, no, no, no, no)
I am afraid you might be trying to leave me or find someone else. I am telling you not to leave me because I need you, and I am repeating myself to make sure you understand how important it is that you stay.

I've been shoved (Oh-oh, yeah) I've been loved (Oh-oh, yeah) I've been laid (Oh-oh, yeah) In my grave (Oh-oh, yeah)
I have been through a lot in my life. I have been pushed down and I have been lifted up. I have had good times and bad times. But I am willing to go through anything if it means I can keep you by my side.

Told my friends (Oh-oh, yeah) My best pals (Oh-oh, yeah) Don't ever let me Catch you with my gal
I have made it clear to my friends that you are my girl, and I don't want anyone else to be with you. I am warning them not to mess with you because I would be very upset if anyone tried to take you away from me.

Don't leave me baby (No, no, no, no, no) Don't leave me baby (No, no, no, no, no) Don't leave me baby (No, no, no, no, no) Don't go, don't go, don't go, don't go
I am so afraid of losing you that I am begging you not to leave me. I am repeating myself because I need you to know how important it is that you stay with me.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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