What Can I Do for You
Labelle Lyrics


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People want true things
Or nothing at all
People want sincerity
And nothing more
People need happiness as land needs rain
We need rain we need light we need love
Yes you'll find it so hard
To live without love love love
Love love love
Love love love
Whoa just say yeah (oh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

People want to live (uh huh)
Not merely exist
People want to enjoy
Not suffer and fear no no no
People need understanding
Not tensions or confusion no no
Oh I wonder should the people who present us this solution talk about love love love
Love love love
Love love love
Oh yeah
Just say yeah (oh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Say yeah
Ooh yeah

We need power
We need power
We need peace
Peace
Peace
Peace

I think we'll all agree
I think we'll all agree
That's not fighting (fighting)
That's not fighting
Because this ain't war
This ain't war
This ain't war
This ain't war
I know it's not too late to love love love
Love love love
Love love love
Love love love
Love love love





What can I do for you
What can you do for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Labelle's song "What Can I Do For You?" are centered around the universal human desire for happiness, peace, sincerity, and love. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as it highlights how people want genuine and authentic things, or nothing at all. The lyrics suggest that people want to live fulfilling lives and enjoy themselves, rather than just existing and suffering. The repetition of the phrase "love love love" emphasizes the importance of love in people's lives, and the need for understanding and peace rather than tension and confusion.


The song's chorus encourages listeners to say "yeah" in agreement that love and peace are what we need in our lives, and the repetition of the phrase "we need power, we need peace" reinforces this message. The lyrics also touch on the idea that we should work towards love and peace, rather than engaging in wars and conflicts. The closing lines of the song suggest that we can do something for each other by extending love to those around us.


Overall, "What Can I Do For You?" is a thought-provoking ode to the power of love and the need for understanding and sincerity in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

People want true things
People desire honesty and authenticity


Or nothing at all
Anything less than the truth is unacceptable


People want sincerity
People crave genuine emotions


And nothing more
There are no substitutes for authenticity


People need happiness as land needs rain
People require joy and contentment for sustenance


We need rain we need light we need love
We depend on the sustenance provided by nature and affection


Yes you'll find it so hard
Life is challenging


To live without love love love
Without love, life is incomplete


Whoa just say yeah (oh yeah)
Express agreement and acceptance


People want to live (uh huh)
People desire a meaningful existence


Not merely exist
Life should be more than just survival


People want to enjoy
People want pleasure and fulfillment


Not suffer and fear no no no
Avoiding pain and anxiety is essential


People need understanding
People require clarity and insight


Not tensions or confusion no no
Simplicity and harmony are desired


Oh I wonder should the people who present us this solution talk about love love love
Perhaps those offering solutions should address the importance of love


We need power
We require strength and influence


We need peace
We crave tranquility and harmony


I think we'll all agree
I believe we are all on the same page


That's not fighting (fighting)
Avoiding conflict is preferable


Because this ain't war
There is no need for hostility or aggression


I know it's not too late to love love love
It is never too late to embrace love


What can I do for you
How can I be of assistance to you?


What can you do for me
What kind of help or support can you offer me?




Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@xiaothe1

In these turbulent times these lyrics still speak truth-"People want true things
Or nothing at all
People want sincerity
And nothing more
People need happiness as land needs rain
We need rain we need light we need love
Yes you'll find it so hard
To live without love love love
Love love love
Love love love" ❀
Happy Birthday πŸ‘‘Patti
πŸŒΉπŸŽ‚πŸŒΉ 🎼Labelle- one of the greatest female groups ever...🎢



@Analisa416

Read these lyrics, true in my life, but true for our times. Indeed ahead of their time.

People want truth
Or nothing at all
People want sincerity
And nothing false
People need happiness as land needs rain from above
We need rain-we need life-we need love

Most people find it so hard to live
Without love, love, love
To live without love, love, love
Oh yeah-oh yeah

People want to live
Not merely exist
People want to enjoy
Not suffer and fear
People need understanding
Not impatience nor confusion
Oh, I wonder, should we hate
Those who present us disillusion
They talk about love, love, love
And they lie about love, love, love
They talk about love, love, love
Oh yeah-oh yeah

We need power, we need power
And we need peace, peace, peace, peace
I think we all agree
Let's stop fighting, let's stop fighting
And become sis and bro, 'sis and bro'
Sis and bro', sis and bro'
And show it's not too late to love, love, love
What can i do for you? What can you do for me?



All comments from YouTube:

@pathfinderstravelmagazine2903

RIH Sarah. Killing it on the harmony.

@williamwashington1986

Sarah's vocals are so outstanding!! She definitely shines!! She adds such flavor to this LaBelle masterpiece! Love you Sarah! R.I.P.πŸ’–πŸ₯°πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

@shahcarramanne1226

Oh my I had know idea she passed away but I wanted to say I agree with you 100%. This is one of my favorite songs by them and I absolutely love hearing Sarah on this.

@williamwashington1986

@@shahcarramanne1226 I couldn't agree with you more!! For me those that strong blend of background vocals ( Sarah, Nona and Patti) makes the song amazing!! Yes Sarah passed last year and a few nights before that she and Patti were on stage together. You can look it up on YouTube. It's really brief but worth watching!! πŸ˜ŠπŸ’–πŸ™

@carmenortiz3737

Yes indeed....I love da crystal on her bellybutton...sexy.

@SeanDenard

I agree plus I didn’t know she passed as well

@benjamincarter1884

Thanks for info about Sarah Dash.
Patti wasn't the only high voice in the Trio. I sure hate one them has passed.
I actually like this one better than Lady Marmalade

1 More Replies...

@blairwilliams6452

Patti, Nona Sarah Way ahead of their time.

@Dwhite4

Nona Hendryx is an awesome writer. Some of her songs have such a groove and message. Where is music like this today?

@langelo04

NO WHERE!!

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