To Love Somebody
LIVING ROOM - Bee Gees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a light
A certain kind of light
That never shone on me
I want my life to be lived with you
Lived with you
There's a way everybody say
To do each and every little thing
But what does it bring

If I ain't got you, ain't got?

You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

In my brain
I see your face again
I know my frame of mind
You ain't got to be so blind
And I'm blind, so, so, so blind
I'm a man
Can't you see what I am?
I live and I breathe for you
But what good does it do
If I ain't got you, ain't got? Baby

You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you, oh no, no

You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like

To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you

You don't know what it's like, baby

You don't know what it's like
To love somebody

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees convey a deep sense of longing and yearning for a romantic connection that seems unattainable. The singer begins by expressing a desire for a certain kind of light that has never shone on them, indicating a lack of fulfillment and a feeling of incompleteness. The repetition of wanting their life to be lived with someone suggests a strong need for companionship and love to bring meaning and purpose to their existence.

As the lyrics continue, the singer reflects on the emptiness of following conventional wisdom and doing things the way everyone else does, questioning the value of such actions without the presence of the person they love. The repeated declaration that "If I ain't got you, ain't got?" highlights the central theme of the song - the emptiness and longing felt in the absence of the beloved. The use of repetition further emphasizes the intensity of the singer's emotions and the depth of their yearning.

The lyrics then delve into the frustration and despair of not being understood or seen clearly by the object of their affection. The singer paints a vivid picture of seeing the beloved's face in their mind, emphasizing the strength of their feelings and the overwhelming presence of this person in their thoughts. The plea for understanding and acknowledgment of their feelings is palpable, as the singer laments being blinded by love and unable to break free from the all-consuming emotions that bind them to this person.

The chorus serves as a powerful declaration of the depth of the singer's love, contrasting the ignorance or indifference of the beloved with the intense, all-encompassing nature of their own feelings. The repetition of "To love somebody, the way I love you" drives home the message of unrequited love and the painful realization that the depth of their emotions may not be reciprocated. The repeated refrain of "You don't know what it's like, baby" further emphasizes the disconnect between the singer's experience of love and the beloved's apparent lack of understanding or awareness. Overall, the lyrics of "To Love Somebody" capture the raw emotion and vulnerability of unrequited love, showcasing the universal human experience of longing for connection and understanding in the face of unreciprocated feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a light
There is a sign of hope or inspiration

A certain kind of light
A unique and special type of light

That never shone on me
That I have never experienced before

I want my life to be lived with you
I desire to share my life with you

Lived with you
Existing together in harmony

There's a way everybody say
There is a method that everyone talks about

To do each and every little thing
To handle every small detail

But what does it bring
But what is the point

If I ain't got you, ain't got?
If I do not have you by my side

You don't know what it's like, baby
You cannot comprehend the feeling

To love somebody
To have strong feelings of affection for someone