John Watson, Jr. was born February 3, 1935 in Houston, Texas. His father John Sr. was a pianist, and taught his son the instrument. But young Watson was immediately attracted to the sound of the guitar, in particular the electric guitar as practiced by the "axe men" of Texas: T-Bone Walker and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
His grandfather, a preacher, was also musical. "My grandfather used to sing while he'd play guitar in church, man," Watson reflected many years later. When Johnny was 11, his grandfather offered to give him a guitar if, and only if, the boy didn't play any of the "devil's music"--blues. Watson agreed, but "that was the first thing I did." A musical prodigy, Watson played with Texas bluesmen Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland.
His parents separated in 1950, when he was 15. His mother moved to Los Angeles, and took Johnny with her.
In his new city, Watson won several local talent shows. This led to his employment, while still a teenager, with Jump blues style bands such as Chuck Higgins' Mellotones and Amos Milburn. He worked as a vocalist, pianist, and guitarist.
He quickly made a name for himself in the African-American juke joints of the West Coast, where he was billed as "Young John Watson" until 1954. That year, he saw the Sterling Hayden film "Johnny Guitar," and a new handle was born.
He affected a swaggering, yet humorous personality, indulging a taste for flashy clothes and wild showmanship on stage. His attack resulted in him often needing to change the strings on his guitar once or twice a show, because he "stressified on them" so much, as he put it.
His seminal blues album "Gangster of Love" was recorded in 1953 or 54, and first released on Keen Records (where Sam Cooke was another artist) in 1957. It was not especially heralded at the time--the title song in particular was too fast, too raw, and too witty, especially compared to the likes of the then-kingpins of blues Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Watson's ferocious "Space Guitar" of 1954 pioneered guitar feedback and reverb. (He played it without a pick.) Watson would later influence a subsequent generation of white pop musicians, especially guitarists, who struggled to master the Jimi Hendrix-like complexity of Watson's technique.
Johnny Guitar Watson died of a heart attack on May 17, 1996 while on stage in Japan.
I Need It
Johnny "Guitar" Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is everything that it should be
Lovin' you the way I do
Should be gritty clear to you
You've got a thang for me
Even the blind could see
Something you got, you can't beat it - no
Well, girl, I need it - girl, I need it
That thang - that thang
Girl, girl, I need it - girl, I need it
That thang - that thang
Baby, babe, I need it - I need it
Oh yeah - oh yeah
Babe, babe, I need it
Something you got weakens me
I give in like 1-2-3
Sometime I do somethin' wrong
We hug and kiss and it's all gone
Ain't that cold
You've got a thang for me
Even the blind could see
Something you got, can't beat it - no
No, that's why girl, I need it - girl, I need it
Yeh-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo - eh-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo
I need it
That thang - that thang
That thang - that thang
Girl, I need it - I need it
That thang - that thang - that thang
Girl, I need it - girl, I need it - ow
Got to tell it like it is
Love will last a million years
It sure did open up my nose
You kept the dose so it can't goes
You've got a thang for me
Even the blind could see
Something you got, you sure can't beat it
In "I Need It," Johnny "Guitar" Watson sings about his desperate need for the love he is receiving from his partner. He expresses that he feels that their love is perfect, and exactly as he needs it to be. He acknowledges that there is something about his partner that makes him feel weak and vulnerable, but he can't resist it, even if he sometimes does something wrong. He acknowledges that whatever his partner has, he can't beat it and he needs it desperately.
The lyrics primarily revolve around the idea that love is like a drug or addiction that he can't get enough of. Watson's descriptions of how his partner's love affects him suggest that he feels powerless in its grasp, but he openly admits he needs it, and he can't imagine living without it. He also emphasizes the idea that his partner's love is something that he can't resist or avoid, and that it holds an irresistible power over him.
Throughout the song, Watson uses various metaphors and symbolism to describe the depth of his feelings for his partner. For example, he describes how the love he feels is "gritty," suggesting that it's raw and genuine. Additionally, when he states, "You kept the dose so it can't goes," he's acknowledging how addicted he is to the love he's receiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Lovin' you it seemed to me
To me, loving you felt perfectly right
Is everything that it should be
Our love is everything it should be and more
Lovin' you the way I do
The way I love you is authentic and strong
Should be gritty clear to you
It should be crystal clear to you how much I love you
You've got a thang for me
You have a special something that draws me to you
Even the blind could see
Everyone can see how attracted we are to each other
Something you got, you can't beat it - no
You possess something truly unique and amazing
Well, girl, I need it - girl, I need it
I really need and want what you have
That thang - that thang
Referring to the unique quality that she has that he desires
Baby, babe, I need it - I need it
He needs the woman and her unique quality in his life
Something you got weakens me
Her unique quality has the power to bring him to his knees
I give in like 1-2-3
He can't resist her and she has power over him
Sometime I do somethin' wrong
He makes mistakes, but their love is stronger and they can forgive each other
We hug and kiss and it's all gone
Their love is enough to make up for any wrongs or arguments they may have had
Ain't that cold
It's amazing and impressive that their love has this much power
No, that's why girl, I need it - girl, I need it
That's why he needs her and her unique quality so much
Yeh-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo - eh-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo
Adlib
Got to tell it like it is
He needs to be honest and express his feelings
Love will last a million years
Their love is forever and will withstand the test of time
It sure did open up my nose
Her special quality has opened his eyes and changed his perspective on love
You kept the dose so it can't goes
She has the power to keep him addicted and coming back for more
Something you got, you sure can't beat it
He reiterates how amazing her unique quality is
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind