Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
Help Yourself
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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Don't leave it overnight
Ff you're gonna help me help me now
Another ten minutes will be too late
Like a crying child
I need comfort now
Don't pick me up
Need someone to help me
But not you, you're not ready
Seems you have trouble helping yourself
It takes time to notice
But you don't seem to know time keeps moving
What you're doing is wasting my time
You would help me more
Help me more if you helped yourself
Help yourself
Help yourself
You wanna get yourself together
Don't you wanna put yourself to right
I said get yourself together
Don't you wanna put yourself to right
I said no, don't apologize
You've done your best
Seems it still ain't right
Leave me alone
No more to be said
To get it right you got to do it yourself
I'm going out to help myself
Help myself
Help myself
I'm going out to help myself
Help myself
Help myself
If you're gonna say it say it now
Don't leave it overnight
If you're gonna hold me hold me tight
I don't wanna leave
Not if it seems all right
Like a crying child
I need comfort now
Don't pick me up
When the tears are dry on my face
You've got to govern the situation
Nut not you, you're no
And anyway, hold up
Hold up
Hold up
You're trying to sort out your mind
You've got to get it together
You've got to get it together
It would help me more
Help more if you helped yourself
In Joan Armatrading's song "Help Yourself," the singer is asking for help, but not from someone who is not ready to help themselves. She is crying out for comfort to ease her pain, stressing the importance of immediate action rather than waiting overnight. She acknowledges that it takes time to master the art of self-help, but it is crucial if a person intends to be of any assistance to others. Time moves quickly, and any wasted time is an opportunity gone. Joan reminds listeners that a person can only help themselves, and the best way to assist others is through self-improvement first.
The lyrics in "Help Yourself" could be interpreted as a call for personal responsibility for one's actions. The song is encouraging people to take charge of their lives and help themselves rather than expecting others to do it for them. The song also stresses the importance of being ready and prepared to be of assistance to others. It shows the need to have the right mindset and create the necessary change to become the best possible version of oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna do it do it right
If you're going to take action, make sure it's effective and executed correctly.
Don't leave it overnight
Don't procrastinate or wait to take action, as it may be too late.
If you're gonna help me help me now
If you're offering assistance, do so immediately rather than delaying.
Another ten minutes will be too late
There is a sense of urgency and immediate need for help.
Like a crying child
The artist is very vulnerable and in need of comfort and support.
I need comfort now
The singer is in dire need of emotional or physical support.
Don't pick me up
Don't offer help or support when it's too late or unnecessary.
When the tears are dry on my face
Don't offer help or support when the artist is no longer visibly upset or overwhelmed.
Need someone to help me
The artist is requesting help or assistance from someone.
But not you, you're not ready
The artist does not believe the person they're addressing is capable or willing to help them.
Seems you have trouble helping yourself
The singer implies that the person they're addressing has their own personal issues to resolve.
It takes time to notice
The actions or inactions of others may not become clear until after some time has passed.
But you don't seem to know time keeps moving
The person is seemingly unaware that time is a finite resource and that it is ticking away.
What you're doing is wasting my time
The singer feels that the other person's actions or inactions are causing them to lose time that could be better spent elsewhere.
You would help me more
The other person could provide more effective help if they were in a better position to do so.
Help me more if you helped yourself
By resolving their own issues, the other person would be better equipped to provide assistance or support.
Help yourself
The artist is encouraging the other person to focus on their own needs and improvement.
You wanna get yourself together
The singer is urging the other person to improve themselves and their situation.
Don't you wanna put yourself to right
The singer is implying that the other person's current state is incorrect or suboptimal and needs improvement.
I said get yourself together
The artist repeats their prior plea to the other person to improve themselves and their situation.
No, don't apologize
The artist is not seeking apologies from the other person.
You've done your best
The artist does not fault the other person for trying their best to help or improve themselves.
Seems it still ain't right
Despite prior efforts, the other person's current state or actions are still problematic to the singer.
Leave me alone
The artist wants the other person to stop trying to provide help or support.
No more to be said
The singer believes the conversation or situation has reached its conclusion.
To get it right you got to do it yourself
Ultimately, one must take responsibility for their own actions and wellbeing in order to succeed.
I'm going out to help myself
The singer has recognized the need to focus on their own needs and will do so independently.
If you're gonna say it say it now
The artist is requesting that the other person communicate effectively and promptly.
If you're gonna hold me hold me tight
The artist is requesting physical or emotional support, but only if it is genuine and effective.
I don't wanna leave
The singer values the presence of the other person and would prefer them to stay around.
Not if it seems all right
However, if the situation or other person is not helping or supporting them effectively, then they would rather be alone.
You've got to govern the situation
The artist is suggesting that the other person take charge of the situation and be proactive in finding solutions.
But not you, you're no
However, the artist feels that the other person is not capable or willing to govern the situation effectively.
And anyway, hold up
The artist wants the other person to pause and consider the situation more carefully before acting or speaking.
You're trying to sort out your mind
The singer perceives the other person to be preoccupied or uncertain about their own thoughts and emotions.
You've got to get it together
The artist believes that the other person needs to resolve their own issues in order to be more effective in helping others.
It would help me more
Improved emotional or mental wellbeing on the part of the other person would result in more effective help or support for the singer.
Help more if you helped yourself
By focusing on their own needs and improvement, the other person would ultimately be more effective in providing help or support to others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind