What'd I Say
Johnny Cash (feat. June Carter) Lyrics
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Come and love your daddy all night long
Hey, hey all right
Hey, hey baby, what'd I say
See that girl with a diamond ring
I know where she got that thing
Hey, hey all right
Oh yeah, honey you're so fine
Baby you're so fine
Honey you're so fine
Honey you're so fine
Oh you're so fine hey, hey all right
Hey, hey baby, what'd I say
See the girl with the rich dress on
She can do that all night long
Hey, hey all right
Hey, hey baby, what'd I say
When you see me in misery
Come on baby and stand by me
Hey, hey all right
Hey, hey baby, what'd I say
Baby, what'd I say right now
What'd I say right now
Honey you're so fine
What'd I say right now
Baby, you're so fine
Hey, what'd I say
The lyrics of "What'd I Say" by Johnny Cash and June Carter are a playful and flirtatious conversation between two lovers. The songwriter seems to be pleading with his partner to love him all night long by asking, "Come on honey, don't you treat me wrong, come and love your daddy all night long." The lyricist then observes a woman wearing a diamond ring and suggests that they know where she got it from, all while encouraging his partner to stick with him, saying "when you see me in misery, come on baby and stand by me."
The conversational nature of the song continues with the artist telling his partner that she's so fine, using the repetition of the phrase "hey, hey all right, hey, hey baby, what'd I say" to drive the playful tone of the song. The verse about the girl in the rich dress suggests a hint of jealousy, emphasizing the songwriter's plea to his partner to stick with him.
Overall, "What'd I Say" is a fun and flirty song about a couple's playful back-and-forth, and the dynamic between the two singers enhances the intimate tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on honey don't you treat me wrong
Please don't mistreat me, my dear
Come and love your daddy all night long
Spend the night with me, my darling, and show me your love
Hey, hey all right
Expressing excitement and approval
Hey, hey baby, what'd I say
Asking for confirmation and acknowledgement of what was just said
See that girl with a diamond ring
Notice the woman wearing an expensive ring
I know where she got that thing
I am aware of how she obtained that ring
Oh yeah, honey you're so fine
You are incredibly beautiful, my darling
Baby you're so fine
Reaffirming the previous statement about the person's beauty
Honey you're so fine
Another way of expressing admiration for the person's beauty
Honey you're so fine
Continuing to express admiration for the person's beauty
Oh you're so fine hey, hey all right
Emphasizing the person's beauty and expressing excitement
See the girl with the rich dress on
Observe the woman wearing an expensive attire
She can do that all night long
She is capable of wearing that attire and making it look good all night long
When you see me in misery
When you witness me experiencing hardship and sadness
Come on baby and stand by me
Please come and support me during my difficult times
Baby, what'd I say right now
Asking for confirmation and acknowledgement again
What'd I say right now
Asking for immediate response and understanding
Honey you're so fine
Continuing the expression of admiration and appreciation for the person's beauty
What'd I say right now
Asking for confirmation and acknowledgement again
Baby, you're so fine
Reaffirming the person's beauty and charm
Hey, what'd I say
Asking for confirmation one last time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind