Come Back Baby
Lightnin’ Hopkins Lyrics

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Oh come back, baby
Oh mama please dont go, yeah
Cause the way I love you
Child you'll never know

Oh come back baby, yeah yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now

Well I admit, baby
That I was wrong
Don't you know, baby
Child you been gone too long

Oh come back baby, yeah yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now

Say If I could holler
Like a mountain jack
Yeah yeah oh people
I'd call my baby back

Oh come back baby, Woo yeah
Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now

Now one of these days, baby
And It won't be long, yeah
you gonna look for me child you know
And Ill be gone

So come back baby, yeah yeah

Let's talk it over one more time
Oh now now

Overall Meaning

The song "Come Back Baby" by Lightnin' Hopkins is a heart-wrenching plea for a lost love to return. The opening lines are simple, but highly emotive, as Hopkins begs his mother to stay and confesses his undying love for her. The second verse acknowledges that he was wrong and the heartache he feels since his love's departure.

The chorus, "come back baby, let's talk it over one more time," acts as the messenger of his plea to his lost love. The line "if I could holler like a mountain jack, I'd call my baby back" reveals the depth of his longing and the desperation he feels for the woman he loves.

The final verse is the most poignant part of the song, as Hopkins hints at the possibility that he will not be around forever. The final plea to come back provides a sense of finality that adds to the emotional weight of the song. The bluesy guitar riffs and Hopkins' soulful voice serve to amplify the sentiment of the lyrics and create an unforgettable listening experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh come back, baby
The singer is requesting someone who has left to return, and they address the person affectionately.

Oh mama please don't go, yeah
The singer is pleading, possibly to a mother figure, to stay and not leave.

Cause the way I love you
The singer tries to express that they love the person who has left a lot, and maybe in a way that the person doesn't completely understand.

Child you'll never know
The artist emphasizes that the person will never know the full extent of the love they have.

Let's talk it over one more time
The artist wants to have a conversation with the person they're addressing, which suggests that something has been lost in communication and that there's a chance to reconcile.

Well I admit, baby
The singer is acknowledging that they made a mistake that resulted in the person leaving.

That I was wrong
The singer expresses that they are taking responsibility for what they did and acknowledges they were in the wrong.

Don't you know, baby
The artist is trying to reason with the person who has left by reminding them they are still loved.

Child you been gone too long
The artist expresses that the person has already been gone for too long.

Say If I could holler
The artist is suggesting that if they could make enough noise, they could draw the person they miss back to them.

Like a mountain jack
The singer uses a metaphor here, comparing themselves to a loud mountain jack that could call their love back.

I'd call my baby back
The artist repeats their desire to have their love return to them.

Now one of these days, baby
The singer implies that time is running out and suggests that in the future, the person who left will want to come back.

And It won't be long, yeah
The singer emphasizes this sentiment, suggesting that the person they love is likely to return soon.

you gonna look for me child you know
The singer seems to suggest that they will not be available to return the love this time, and the person they love will miss out.

And I'll be gone
The artist repeats his previous message and stresses their lack of availability to in a future reunion.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HOWARD HOPKINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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