Help Me
John Mayall & Sonny Boy Williamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't do it all by myself
You got to help me, baby
I can't do it all by myself
You know if you don't help me darling
I'll have to find myself, somebody else
I may have to wash, I may have to sew
But you help me baby
You know if you don't help me darling
I'll find myself somebody else
When I walk, you walk with me
When I talk, you talk to me
Oh baby, I can't do it all by myself
You know if you don't help me darling
I'll have to find myself, somebody else
Help me, help me darlin'
Bring my nightshirt
Put on your morning gown
Oh, bring my nightshirt
Put on your morning gown
Darlin' I know we sleep bare
But I just don't feel like lyin' down, oh yeah keep
The lyrics to John Mayall and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Help Me" revolve around a call for assistance from a lover. The repetition of "You got to help me, baby" emphasizes the urgency of the singer's need for help. The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling overwhelmed and cannot manage everything on his own, which may be why he threatens to find someone else if the lover does not help. The singer then goes on to list the things he may have to do if left alone, including washing, sewing, cooking, and mopping the floor.
Throughout the song, there is an underlying sense of vulnerability and dependence on the lover. The chorus of "Help me, help me darlin'" serves as a plea for support and reinforces the idea that the singer cannot do everything alone. The final lines about the nightshirt and morning gown suggest that the singer and lover may be intimate partners who typically sleep together unclothed. The fact that the singer is asking for his nightshirt and for the lover to wear her gown may indicate a desire for comfort and closeness.
Line by Line Meaning
You got to help me
I need your assistance
I can't do it all by myself
I am incapable of doing this alone
You know if you don't help me darling
If you do not aid me, my alternative is to look for someone else
I'll have to find myself, somebody else
I will seek help from another person
I may have to wash, I may have to sew
I might have to do household chores
I may have to cook, I might mop the floor
I might have to prepare food and clean the floor
But you help me baby
You can assist me in these tasks
When I walk, you walk with me
I need you to accompany me when I am on the move
When I talk, you talk to me
I need you to communicate with me
Oh baby, I can't do it all by myself
I lack the capability to finish, I need your cooperation
Bring my nightshirt
Please bring me my nightwear
Put on your morning gown
Wear your morning dress
Darlin' I know we sleep bare
I understand that we usually sleep naked
But I just don't feel like lyin' down, oh yeah keep
But I don't feel like going to bed right now
Help me, help me darlin'
Please aid me, dear
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mowgli19601
For me this is the finest blues song ever,superb vocals and harmonica what's not to like!
Jeffrey Scott
I completely agree. This jam is as greasy as it gets! damnnnnnnn,
Andrew Mair
Not a darn thing❕☝️😎
blondwiththewind
He's got some fine smooooooth musicians in the background, too. Smooth as silk.
barry mitchell
He turns the harp into a percussion instrument at times in this. Stupendous.
Barret Hansen
Heard this when it was new in 1963 and it just floored me. SBW took the Green Onions riff and made the best record of his long career.
richardd2063
The rich silky tones of the master, the harp sounds like 3D, and what a beautiful voice, this and the Junior version is my all time favorite blues song.
Connectikid83
easily one of the best blues songs ever created...if you don't get that "god damn" feeling when you hear this man play you've officialy got no soul
Jeff
Sonny's style is like no other.... love this tune , thanks for posting.
Ann Fenton
perfect timing, edginess, great voice and harmonica - sooo cooool!