1) Jerry Butler, Jr… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists called Jerry Butler:
1) Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and 1960s β longevity. Butlerβs solo career had a string of hits, including "He Will Break Your Heart," "Moon River," "Make It Easy On Yourself," "Let It Be Me" (the Everly Brothers classic re-done as a duet with Betty Everett), "Brand New Me," "Ainβt Understanding Mellow," (duet with Brenda Lee Eager), and "Never Gonna Give You Up," followed by two hugely successful albums The Iceman Cometh in 1968 and Ice On Ice in 1970. The Iceman Cometh garnered Butler three Grammy nominations. Jerry Butler further made recordings for Philadelphia International Records in the 80's. His most noted song for the label was "Cooling Out"
Giving Up On Love
Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Giving up, giving up)
This is not the first time
It's happened before
Oh, the girl that I love
Doesn't love me anymore
Don't want it, you got it
I'm giving up on love
Before love gives up on me
(Giving up, giving up)
(Giving up, giving up)
How much can you give
And get nothing in return
And, oh, how long do you live
Before you finally learn
So I've had it, forget it
I don't want it
Brother, you've got it
I'm giving up on love
Before love gives up on me
(Giving up, giving up)
(Giving up, giving up)
Well, I've had it
Oh, forget it, I don't want it
Brother, you've got it
I'm giving up on love
Before love gives up on me
Yes, I am
I said I'm giving up today
Because love's given up on me
And gone away
The lyrics of Jerry Butler's song "Giving Up On Love" convey a sense of disappointment towards the concept of love. The opening lines, "This is not the first time, it's happened before, Oh the girl that I love, doesn't love me anymore" emphasizes the singer's experience with heartbreak and the sense of resignation from past disappointments.
The following lines depict a feeling of exhaustion, "How much can you give and get nothing in return, And, oh, how long do you live before you finally learn." The singer has reached a breaking point, and decides to give up on love before it gives up on him. The lines "So I've had it, forget it, Don't want it, you got it, I'm giving up on love, Before love gives up on me" convey the singer's sense of control: he has decided to let go of love before it lets go of him.
Overall, the song portrays love as an exhausting and ultimately fleeting emotion. The singer has had enough of heartbreak and has decided to release himself from the emotional cycle of finding and then losing love.
Line by Line Meaning
This is not the first time
I've been through this before
It's happened before
I've experienced heartbreak in the past
Oh, the girl that I love
The person I love deeply
Doesn't love me anymore
Doesn't feel the same way towards me anymore
So I've had it, forget it
I'm done with trying, I'm letting go
Don't want it, you got it
I don't want this anymore, it's all yours
Before love gives up on me
Before I experience more heartbreak
How much can you give
How much effort can one invest
And get nothing in return
And receive no reciprocation
And, oh, how long do you live
And for how long does one continue
Before you finally learn
Before realizing it's not worth it
Brother, you've got it
It's all yours
Well, I've had it
I've had enough
I said I'm giving up today
I'm giving up right now
Because love's given up on me
Because I've been rejected by love
And gone away
And left me feeling broken-hearted
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
still waters
Love this song. It's about unrequited love and heartbreak, but, man, with Jerry Butler's vocals and the musical accompaniment, it is such a sensual, soulful song...never tire of listening to it.
Mick Foskett
jerry butler..one of the best soul singers ever..respect!
Belle Starr
Yes Lord Breathtaking
Nicholas Clarke
What ever went on in America in the 60's to give us music like this is mind boggling. The artistry that was at play is to our eternal benefit. Some of the most romantically soulful music ever made.
Tyrant Jesus
Nicholas Clarke Not just America, I think the whole world experienced this Golden Age of Music. For example, Mexico had great music.
kpitt1204
Such a beautiful song. I never paid it any mind until I played it and someone reacted to it. She hadn't heard it since she was a teenager. In fact, she had forgotten all about it, but was able to sing along. It's a beautiful moment when a song takes someone back to a simpler time. The smile she bore was priceless!
Tony Everett
Never give up ! !!
Never give up on love
just me
2019 still listening Jerry butler .
Paul Westwood
Still listening 5 - 3-2022
Kamara Dice
Got you beat it is 2021, and I am kicking this...