The Jerry Garcia Band was an American rock band led by Jerry Garcia of the … Read Full Bio ↴The Jerry Garcia Band was an American rock band led by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Garcia started the band in 1975. Of his many side projects, this was the main one, until his death in 1995.

Jerry Garcia Band employs many of the same elements and similar style to the Grateful Dead, such as rock influenced by blues, folk, country, and jazz.

Over the years, the lineup of the Jerry Garcia Band changed a number of times. The one constant member besides Garcia himself was bassist John Kahn. Melvin Seals had the next longest tenure, serving as keyboardist from 1980 onward. Seals became band leader following Garcia's death and changed the band's name to JGB.

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
Jerry Garcia Band Lyrics

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Everybody wants somebody
Everybody wants somebody to love
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody to love
And I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you

I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you

Everybody wants somebody
Everybody wants somebody to kiss
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody to kiss
And I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you

Everybody wants somebody
Everybody wants somebody to love
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody to love
And I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you
I need you, you, you
I need you

The original Solomon Burke version had a spoken introduction (included in the Rolling Stones cover version) and a more ad-lib structure generally.
I'm so happy to be here tonight
So glad to be in your wonderful city
And I have a little message for you
And I want to tell every woman and every man tonight
That's ever needed someone to love
That's ever had somebody to love them
That's ever had somebody to understand them
That's ever had someone that needs their love all the time
Somebody that's with them when they're up
Somebody that's with them when they're down
If you've had yourself somebody like this you'd better hold on to them
'Cause let me tell you something
Sometimes you get what you want
And you lose what you have
And there's a song I sing
And I believe if everybody was to sing this song
You'd save the whole world
Listen to me

Everybody needs somebody
Everybody wants somebody to love
Honey, to love, yeah
Sugar to kiss
Baby to miss now, yeah
Baby to tease
Sometimes I feel

And I need (you, you, you)
And I need (you, you, you)
In the morning, baby (you, you, you)
When the sun go down (you, you, you)
Ain't nobody around, sugar (you, you, you)

Oh, listen to me
Sometimes I feel like
I feel a little sad inside
My baby mistreating me
And I can get a little, little mad

But I need (you, you, you)
Just to see me through (you, you, you)
Somebody to hold my hand (you, you, you)
When I feel a little lonely (you, you, you)
Let me hear you say yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Everybody
Let me hear you say yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I just want one woman to stand up tonight and say I love you
I want somebody to be with me tonight

I just want to hear her say "I love you"
I want to hear her say "I love you"

Overall Meaning

The Jerry Garcia Band's rendition of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" is a soulful love ballad that highlights the universal need for love and companionship. The lyrics express the sentiment that regardless of social status or personal experiences, everyone is in search of love and a sense of belonging. The repetition of "I need you" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of having someone who cares and supports us both emotionally and physically.

The song also touches on the challenges that arise in relationships, with lines such as "Sometimes I feel a little sad inside, my baby mistreating me and I can get a little mad." However, the overall message of the song is one of hope and optimism, emphasizing the transformative power of love.

The Jerry Garcia Band's version of "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" is known for its extended guitar solos and improvisations, showcasing the band's talents as musicians. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, most notably by The Rolling Stones.

Overall, the song is a timeless reminder that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all need love and support in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Everybody wants somebody
Everyone desires to be with someone

Everybody wants somebody to love
Everyone wants to be loved by someone

Everybody needs somebody
Everyone requires someone in their life

Everybody needs somebody to love
Everyone needs to love and be loved in return

And I need you, you, you
I require you, multiple times over

I need you
I need you

The original Solomon Burke version had a spoken introduction (included in the Rolling Stones cover version) and a more ad-lib structure generally.
The original version had an introduction that was spoken, and a more improvisational style in general.

Sometimes I feel
Occasionally I feel

Everybody wants somebody to kiss
Everyone desires to kiss someone

Everybody needs somebody to kiss
Everyone requires someone to kiss

Honey, to love, yeah
Darling, to love, yes

Sugar to kiss
Sweetheart to kiss

Baby to miss now, yeah
Baby to miss now, yes

Baby to tease
Baby to tease

But I need (you, you, you)
However, I require you multiple times over

Just to see me through (you, you, you)
To help me get through

When the sun go down (you, you, you)
When the sun sets

Ain't nobody around, sugar (you, you, you)
No one else is here, my love

Oh, listen to me
Oh, listen to me