To Love Somebody
Jimmy Somerville feat. Bronski Beat and The Communards Lyrics


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There's a light,
A certain kind of light
That's never shone on me
I want my life to be, lived with you lived with you

There's a way
Everybody says
To do each and every little thing
But what does it bring

If I ain't got you, ain't got faith, baby
You don't know what it's like
Baby, you don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

In my brain, I see your face again
I know my frame of mind
You ain't got to be so blind, and I'm blind
So, so, so, blind

I'm a man, can't you see what I am
I live and breathe for you
But what good does it do
If I ain't got you, ain't got faith, baby

You don't know what it's like
Baby, you don't know what it's like
To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

I want my life to be
Lived with you, lived with you, ypu baby
You don't know what it's like
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you
You don't know what it's like
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody




To love somebody
The way I love you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "To Love Somebody" by Jimmy Somerville featuring Bronski Beat and The Communards express the depth of loving someone deeply, but having that love unrequited. The song appears to discuss a love that seems impossible to satisfy, as the singer sings of a light that has never shone on them, and a love that they cannot experience without the object of their affection. They express their desire to live their life with this person, but also their frustration with the limitations of love when the beloved is not reciprocating.


The repeated refrain of "You don't know what it's like to love somebody the way I love you" highlights the experience of feeling that one's love is unique and intense, and therefore difficult for others to comprehend. The song has a clear emotional intensity, emphasized by the passionate vocals and the soaring chorus. The frustration and vulnerability of the singer's position is palpable, making "To Love Somebody" a powerful exploration of the highs and lows of love.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a light,
There is a type of joy, a kind of peace, a specific way of being that I have yet to experience


A certain kind of light
This joy, peace, and way of being is unique and specific to the love and connection I seek


That's never shone on me
Despite my efforts and desires, I have not yet found this love and connection that brings the unique joy, peace, and way of being that I crave


I want my life to be, lived with you lived with you
I desire a life lived in communion with another person who truly understands and loves me, and who I understand and love in return


There's a way
Everyone seems to think that there is a specific set of rules and actions to follow in order to achieve satisfaction and fulfillment in life


Everybody says
Others constantly offer me advice and instruction on how to act and what to do to attain my goals


To do each and every little thing
According to them, every aspect of my behavior and decisions needs to be deliberate and calculated in order to be successful


But what does it bring
I question the value and effectiveness of following these supposed rules and suggestions, as they have not brought me the love and connection I seek


If I ain't got you, ain't got faith, baby
My ability to have trust in anything or anyone, including myself, is contingent on my having the love and connection I desire


You don't know what it's like
Those who have not experienced this level of love and connection cannot understand or empathize with my intense longing and desire


To love somebody
The act of truly loving someone in the way I desire is a transformative experience, one that brings a type of joy and fulfillment that nothing else can


To love somebody
The depth and intensity of my love and longing is so strong that it requires repetition to fully convey


The way I love you
No one else has been able to inspire this level of affection and devotion within me, and I yearn for them to reciprocate it


In my brain, I see your face again
Thoughts of this person consume my mind, even when they are not physically present


I know my frame of mind
I am aware of how deeply I am affected by my longing for this person and I question whether it is healthy or normal


You ain't got to be so blind, and I'm blind
I am aware that the person I am asking for affection may not love or see me in the same way, but I am still willing to be vulnerable and put myself out there


So, so, so, blind
I am completely blinded by my desire for this person and have difficulty seeing clearly


I'm a man, can't you see what I am
As a human being with feelings and a heart, I am worthy of love and attention from another person


I live and breathe for you
My love and dedication to this person is all-encompassing and affects every aspect of my life


But what good does it do
Despite my strong feelings and dedication, I question whether this love will ever be reciprocated and if it is worth it to continue putting in the effort


I want my life to be
More than anything, I desire a life filled with the love and connection that I have yet to find


Lived with you, lived with you, ypu baby
I desire to truly spend my life with this person in a mutually loving and supportive partnership


You don't know what it's like
Again, I express the idea that those who have not experienced this level of love and connection cannot understand or empathize with my intense longing and desire


To love somebody
Once more, I express the transformative nature of true love and how it is the only thing that can truly bring joy and fulfillment to my life


To love somebody
I repeat the line in order to emphasize the centrality and importance of this concept to my life and experiences


The way I love you
Once again, I express the depth and intensity of my love and reiterate my desire for it to be reciprocated




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

lucy carriage

C'è una luce
un certo tipo di luce
che non brillava mai su di me.
Voglio che la mia vita sia vissuta con te

C'è un modo, tutti dicono,
di fare ogni piccola cosa.
Ma a che serve
se non ti ho con me, no?

Piccola, non sai com'è.
amare qualcuno,
come io amo te.

Nella mia mente
Vedo di nuovo il tuo volto

Conosco il mio stato d'animo.
Non devi essere così cieco.
E io sono cieco, così cieco.

Sono un uomo,
non vedi cosa sono?
Vivo e respiro per te.
Ma a che serve
se non ti ho con me, no?
Piccola, non sai com'è
amare qualcuno,
come io amo te.



All comments from YouTube:

Terri MacKay

I am a huge Bee Gees fan, so for me to consider a cover of one of their songs better than their original version, that cover would have to be absolute perfection. THIS is that cover!! Somerville's voice imparts so much feeling into every song he sings.

Donar Thiazi

Meh 🙄

Kein Rodríguez

I love the added Caribbean beat and rhythm to this wonderful song!!!!

Sankento

This version is easily the best version of this song. I couldn't get this song out of my head ever since I heard him sing it on Top of the Pops as a child.

Sheryl mac

Same❤️

Dmx Umrrk

On European top 20.

volker grote

Als absoluter Bee Gees Fan , sehe ich das genau so, die Maxi Lp von Jimmy auf einem high end Dual von 1980 Hörgenuß der nicht zu überbieten ist.

Hiajaro Alondra 🐱

It's impossible not to have a good version of this song

Yvonne Bryan

I stumbled across this tonight and it is breath taking I just love it.The reggae sound is just so awesome.I have always loved this song and at times I find some beautiful versions of it.This reminds me of my Veteran husband whom passed away May 26,2019.I love him and miss him so very much.My heart stays ripped apart wanting to see him and hold him and can't.R.I.P. to my sweet loving Guardian Angel,My forever husband in my heart Carey.

Dave Campbell

I hope your pain eases.

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