His life took a turn, though, as he became a victim of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as stints with manic depression that found him hospitalized in a mental health facility. He had almost disappeared entirely when he started performing again on rare occasions in the early 1990s, often working with Tyrone Davis or Otis Clay.
Carr had suffered from lung cancer for many years, spending the end of his life in a nursing home in Memphis. At the age of 58, James Carr died there from his battle with the disease on January 7, 2001. It is said that he had been analphabetic.
These Arms of Mine
James Carr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely and feeling blue
They are yearning
Yearning from wanting you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh how grateful I will be
They are burning
They are wanting
Wanting to hold you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh how grateful I will be
Come on, come on, baby
Just be my little woman
Just be my lover, oh
I need me somebody
Somebody to treat me right
I need your arms, loving arms
To hold me tight
And I need, I need your
I need your tender lips...
These lyrics are from James Carr’s song These Arms of Mine. The song talks about loneliness and yearning for someone. The singer of the song admits to feeling blue and wanting someone to hold them. They express their desire for the person they are singing to, asking them to let their arms hold them, and expressing their gratitude for their willingness. The words used to describe the emotion behind the song show just how deeply the singer is feeling the emotions of loneliness and yearning.
The chorus of the song repeats a plea for the person to come to the singer, be their little woman or lover, and treat them right. The singer needs someone to hold them tight, and they also express their specific desire for the person’s tender lips. These lyrics convey a sense of desperation and the need for human connection. It’s a song that speaks to anyone who has ever felt alone and longed for someone to hold and comfort them.
Overall, James Carr’s song “These Arms of Mine” is a powerful and poignant expression of human need for love and connection. The lyrics reflect the universal human experience of loneliness and yearning, making it a classic that has resonated with many people over time.
Line by Line Meaning
They are lonely
My arms are feeling lonely and empty.
Lonely and feeling blue
I am sad and lonely without you.
They are yearning
My arms are aching with desire for you.
Yearning from wanting you
I want you so badly it hurts.
And if you would let them hold you
If only you would let me hold you in my arms...
Oh how grateful I will be
I would be eternally grateful for the chance to hold you.
They are burning
My arms are on fire with desire for you.
Burning from wanting you
I am consumed by my desire for you.
They are wanting
My arms are aching for your touch.
Wanting to hold you
I want nothing more than to hold you close to me.
Come on, come on, baby
Please, come to me, my love.
Just be my little woman
Be mine, my love.
Just be my lover, oh
Love me deeply and completely.
I need me somebody
I need someone to love and cherish.
Somebody to treat me right
Someone who will love and treat me well.
I need your arms, loving arms
I need your warm embrace.
To hold me tight
To hold me close and never let me go.
And I need, I need your
I need you more than anything else.
I need your tender lips...
I need your sweet kisses and affection.
Writer(s): Otis Redding Copyright: Regent Music Corporation
Contributed by Evelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@leekosmin8788
Wonderful singer who never got the recognition that he deserved
@Mysteryboizinc
Amen
@aivarasnorkus9920
Amen to that
@herbertdietrichstein3656
The tragedy is that we all know "The Commitments" but failed to recognize that one of their songs is a James Carr cover (The Dark End Of The Street)...
@leekosmin8788
@@herbertdietrichstein3656 One of the greatest records. A great performance of a great song.
@grantsmythe8625
@@herbertdietrichstein3656 Percy Sledge and then Gregg Allman and then Derek Trucks also covered this song, not to mention Otis Redding.
@sevinatenine4444
I AM FEELIN DIS SONG RIGHT ABOUT NOW.DAMN BABY I MISS YOU.
@janhensley3617
Now this is soul music
@geraldcrowder1687
I always felt so sorry for James sad last years-Truly a great entertainer.
@lindamcguigan5989
James Carr is Sensational. I bought this album many years ago. 5 🌟