Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr., August 8, 1935 – August 13, 1982) was an Am… Read Full Bio ↴Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr., August 8, 1935 – August 13, 1982) was an American rhythm & blues singer. Tex's last name was Arrington. He later changed it to Hazziez after conversion to Islam but his stage name was Joe Tex, for Texas, the state he was born & later died in.
He gained success in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the styles of country, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Born in Rogers, Texas, in 1935 and raised in Baytown, TX, Tex's career started after he was signed to King Records in 1955 following four wins at the Apollo Theater. Between that year and 1964, however, Tex struggled to find hits and by the time he finally recorded his first hit, "Hold What You've Got", in 1964, he had recorded thirty prior singles that were deemed failures on the charts. Tex went on to have three million-selling hits, "Hold What You've Got" (1965), "Skinny Legs and All" (1967) and "I Gotcha" (1972).

Joe Tex with the raspy voice & charm of a southern preacher and the linguistic skills of a true street hustler made a string of funky chart topping hits and occasional raps with moral themes. His peak as a hitmaker occured in the mid & late 60's, but extended into the 70's disco era.

His breakthrough 1965 song "Hold What You've Got" topped both the Pop and R&B charts. In 1966 he released "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It", which was the first major pop record associated with the Vietnam War. His style was usually more light hearted fare, like "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" and his biggest hit "Skinny Legs And All".

His last major record was 1972's funky jam "I Gotcha", a #1 song. It was after this release that he converted to Islam. After the death of Elijah Mohamed in 1975, Joe Tex received the blessing and approval of the Nation of Islam to begin recording and performing again. His career resurgence came as the disco years were in full swing. His late career comeback song was "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)".

I've Got to do a Little Bit Better
Joe Tex Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby did I ever make you a promise
And I've got so busy that is slipped my mind
These things happen, you know

Then I'm asking you to forgive me
I'm so sorry and I apologize
Oh yeah
'Cause I know to a woman

Her man's promises keep her goin'
Yes they do
I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doing

Baby do you ever need me to hold you
And I was somewhere else at the time
This fool, am I

Then I'm asking you to forgive me
I'm so sorry and I apologize
Oh yeah
'Cause I know to a woman
Her man's love keeps her goin'
Yes it does
I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doin'

A man gets so busy tryin' to meet
His little man's needs
That he forgets some other promises he's made
Oh yeah
But when a man's got himself a woman
That's so sweet and understandin'
You know that man has got it made
In the shade

Baby, whatever time you were crying
And I wasn't there to dry your eyes
Wooh, I'm asking you to forgive me
I'm so sorry and I apologize
Oh yes I am
'Cause I know to a woman

Her man's attentions keep her going
I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Tex's "I've Got to do a Little Bit Better" showcase the singer's realization that he has not been fulfilling the promises he made to his significant other, which has caused her to feel neglected and unsupported. He begins by acknowledging that he has forgotten some of the promises he had made before, apologizing and asking her forgiveness. He recognizes that promises are more than just words; they are a crucial aspect of a relationship, and failing to keep them can hurt the other person. He understands that his woman's love and support are important, vital even, and that he needs to be a better partner. In the last verse, he asks for forgiveness for his past actions and promises to do better in the future.

The song is relatable to many people, as almost everyone has made a promise that they could not keep or forgotten to do something important for someone they cared about. The lyrics are also significant because they highlight the importance of promises in a relationship and the power that a partner's support and love can have. Overall, the song emphasizes the need to be mindful of one's actions in a relationship and the importance of communication and forgiveness.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby did I ever make you a promise
The singer is admitting to having made promises to his partner previously.

And I've got so busy that is slipped my mind
Due to being occupied elsewhere, the singer forgot about the promises he made to his partner.

Then I'm asking you to forgive me
The singer is expressing regret over his past actions and is requesting forgiveness from his partner.

I'm so sorry and I apologize
The artist is apologizing wholeheartedly to his partner.

'Cause I know to a woman
The artist acknowledges the importance of keeping promises and attentions to his partner.

Her man's promises keep her goin'
The singer recognizes that keeping promises is crucial to his partner's emotional well-being.

I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doing
The singer acknowledges his past mistakes and expresses a desire to improve his behavior moving forward.

Baby do you ever need me to hold you
The artist is asking his partner if she ever requires physical support or comfort from him.

And I was somewhere else at the time
The artist acknowledges being preoccupied elsewhere when his partner needed him emotionally.

Then I'm asking you to forgive me
The artist is once again requesting his partner's forgiveness for his past actions.

I'm so sorry and I apologize
The singer is apologizing for his past behavior and expressing genuine remorse.

Her man's love keeps her goin'
The artist recognizes the importance of showing love and affection to his partner to keep her emotionally content.

I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doin'
The singer acknowledges his shortcomings in the past and vows to improve his behavior moving forward.

That he forgets some other promises he's made
The singer refers to other promises he made to his partner that he forgot due to being preoccupied elsewhere.

But when a man's got himself a woman
The singer acknowledges the value of having a supportive partner in his life.

That's so sweet and understandin'
The artist appreciates his partner's understanding and sweet demeanor.

You know that man has got it made
The artist feels fortunate to have such a supportive partner in his life.

Baby, whatever time you were crying
The singer is acknowledging his partner's emotional state and the possibility of her having cried previously.

And I wasn't there to dry your eyes
The singer acknowledges his absence during his partner's time of emotional need.

Wooh, I'm asking you to forgive me
The artist is expressing remorse for his past behavior and is requesting his partner's forgiveness.

I'm so sorry and I apologize
The artist is apologizing wholeheartedly to his partner for his past actions.

Her man's attentions keep her going
The artist acknowledges the importance of attending to his partner's emotional needs to keep their relationship healthy.

I've got to do a little bit better than I've been doing
The singer acknowledges his past shortcomings and is committed to making positive changes in their relationship.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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