part time love
Little Johnny Lyrics

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Than to live lonely, each and every day
She came home this morning, I asked her where had she been?
She said don't ask me no question daddy, because I'll be leaving again

That's why, that's why I've got to find me, Lord I've go to find me a part time love
The next time, the next time, the next time my baby leave me,
Can't you see I got to have me a part time love

And one more thing I want to say right here:
Every, every time my baby leaves me
I have to suffer the whole time she's gone
Every, every time my baby leaves me
I have to suffer the whole time she's gone
But oh, the next time my baby leaves me
Peoples can't you see I just got to have me a part time love
Whoa, whoa, I'm talking about a love,
One gonna stick by me when I get old
I'm talking about the kind of love

That's gonna wash my dirty clothes
Whoa, I'm talking about love, yeah, yeah, I'm talking about love...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Little Johnny Taylor's song "Part Time Love" depict the singer's desperate search for a part-time romantic partner. The singer repeatedly asserts that he needs to find a part-time love to fill the void left by his ex-partner. The lyrics strongly suggest that the love he seeks is not the kind of all-consuming, all-encompassing affection that preoccupies him, but rather a companion with whom to pass the lonely moments when he is without his main love. He illustrates his situation by comparing situations with people who are alone in life, like the dead in the cemetery. He'd rather be dead than suffer the incessant loneliness that comes with a permanent loss.

As the song progresses, the singer narrates his newest encounter with his ex-lover, who is leaving him again without any explanation. In this sense, the part-time love he is seeking is simply a temporary distraction, someone to fill the void for a moment or a night. The singer is begging for a loving partner who he can rely on as he ages and avoid being left alone. He concludes the song by describing the love he is seeking, a love that is going to stick with him even when he gets old, wash his clothes and provide him with the emotional support he so badly longs for.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna find me, lord I've got to find me a part time love
I need to find a new love to be with when my current partner leaves.

I've got to find me, I've got to find me a part time love
I am actively searching for someone to fill the void when my partner is not with me.

The next time, the next time my baby leaves me
When my partner leaves me again, I need to have someone in my life to make me feel less alone.

People in the cemetery, them are all alone Some turn to dust, and some have bone I'd rather be dead, six feet in my grave Than to live lonely, each and every day
Being alone is worse than being dead and buried because at least then you are not aware of your loneliness.

She came home this morning, I asked her where had she been? She said don't ask me no question daddy, because I'll be leaving again
My partner is not committed to this relationship and will continue to leave me for periods of time.

That's why, that's why I've got to find me, Lord I've go to find me a part time love The next time, the next time, the next time my baby leave me, Can't you see I got to have me a part time love
I need someone to be with me when my partner inevitably leaves again.

Every, every time my baby leaves me I have to suffer the whole time she's gone Every, every time my baby leaves me I have to suffer the whole time she's gone But oh, the next time my baby leaves me Peoples can't you see I just got to have me a part time love
I go through a lot of heartache and loneliness when my partner is gone, so I need someone else to be there for me next time around.

Whoa, whoa, I'm talking about a love, One gonna stick by me when I get old I'm talking about the kind of love That's gonna wash my dirty clothes Whoa, I'm talking about love, yeah, yeah, I'm talking about love...
I am searching for a long-term partner who will stay with me through thick and thin, even in old age, and who will care for me in practical ways like doing laundry.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAY HAMMOND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Jimmy Dutra

6y↑26

Bring it on home, Little Johnny Taylor - talk to me!
Back in the 1960's and 70's, I played keyboard and sang lead vocals
and harmony background in a 7-piece "Blues Band" (Bay Area, CA)
I sang the hell out of this classic blues song with great guitar lead.
One of the best blues cut of all time.
Wish we had music like this today, that penetrates the heart & soul.

RIP Little Johnny Taylor, you still are the "Blues Man".

Heart & Soul,

Jimmy D.

Amoss amos

5y↑16

I'm gonna find me, lord I've got to find me a part time love
I've got to find me, I've got to find me a part time love
The next time, the next time my baby leaves me
There's one other thing I want to tell you right here:
People in the cemetery, them are all alone
Some turn to dust, and some have bone
I'd rather be dead, six feet in my grave
Than to live lonely, each and every day
She came home this morning, I asked her where had she been?
She said don't ask me no question daddy, because I'll be leaving again
That's why, that's why I've got to find me, Lord I've go to find me a part time love
The next time, the next time, the next time my baby leave me,
Can't you see I got to have me a part time love
And one more thing I want to say right here:
Every, every time my baby leaves me
I have to suffer the whole time she's gone
Every, every time my baby leaves me
I have to suffer the whole time she's gone
But oh, the next time my baby leaves me
Peoples can't you see I just got to have me a part time love
Whoa, whoa, I'm talking about a love,
One gonna stick by me when I get old
I'm talking about the kind of love
That's gonna wash my dirty clothes
Whoa, I'm talking about love, yeah, yeah, I'm talking about love...

All comments from YouTube:

Kimblenbits

13y↑20

for all you blues lovers this was written by clay hammond.... one of the greatest and never can be duplicated or imitated ...original .... soul man our prayers are with you.

Jimmy Dutra

6y↑26

ANISTAZI metal 94609

3y↑1

Get in touch. I'm in the Bay Area, would like to see if you'd like to record this with me. I also sing.

mrstanbmw

13y↑9

one of the most uncelebrated Blues Singer of all time, this dude was a Badd Man.

Amoss amos

5y↑16

Donald Morrow

7y↑27

Every now and then the pop top 40 is treated to an honest-to-God Blues record. The first time my grandmother sat needle to this record I stopped whatever horseplay I was doing and beat it to her square box of miracles called a record player. When I heard him talking about "People in the cemetary..." I was praying my mom wouldn't pull me away from the speaker. This is strong stuff for a second grader, but absolutely necessary. It separated real from pretend. Thanks Little Johnny for showing all of us what "going hard" sounds like.

Fran Gee

8y↑13

My Mom used to play this loudly for my Dad when he finally came home from hanging out, lol.

Herman Green

I know how she felt.

preachersdtr1

12y↑16

Thank you, thank you, randomandrare!! Hearing this excellent quality upload of this classic, original artist and all, takes me slap back to 1963. Lord, lord, this record right here sure did get a whole lotta people in a whole lotta trouble, dontcha know! Ha ha ha!!! R.I.P. Little Johnnie Taylor. You were a Blues Man for true. You delivered every word of Mr. Hammond's soulful lyrics with such clarity, without losing one drop of the mean ol' heartache they carried.

lynn earl Sconyers

Black Love Day

joseph roache

6y↑16

This is precious. File it under sacred music. Amen.

Frank Gonzales

5y↑7

Little Johnny Taylor.... Kansas City’s Own.... Tune takes me back to my senior year at Westport High School! We jammed to this tune!
The best tune in 1963!

a century of black music

6y↑11

the blues will live forever.

gayle2020

12y↑8

YESSIR!!!! Love this. My mother used to play this every Saturday when cleaning house.

Garwin Wayne

9y↑27

According to Billboard this was the no.1 R&B song of 1963

Consuelo'

9y↑18

1963 I was very young...I loved this album..YES album..Crying and drinking over my part time love..

Lowell Thomas, Jr.

10y↑21

Like the GREAT Abner Burnette, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter, this man CAN sing and play THE BLUES ! lol

Michael Loew

Got love ol' Abner!

CashPresley32

8y↑2

What about B.B. King or Ray Charles?

Burl Copeland

4y↑1

My step dads first cousin, I remember him coming by the house and they be singing and playing the guitar. RIP to both of them🙏🙏

I Am The Mic Drop.

14y↑1

What?? No comments yet? Well...I heard this song for the first time yesterday and was blown away. Love the horns and the vocals. Classic!

mcpbrowne

11y↑2

Fond memories of my dearly departed Father listening to this as well as: Somewhere Down the Line and Key to the Highway. His top three jams. The songs that are considered your staples. No matter what else your listening too-you must play.

elbowout

13y↑1

So glad i found this ! Havent heard it since 1961! Thanks for posting it.

patricia russell

8y↑31

When I was a little girl, living in the south, I remember hearing this song, didn' understand what the heck he was talking about, but, longer and wiser, love it . This is what Its All about. The cheating game. lol. Peace.

Serene Amani

@Jay R You're bringing back my memories growing up in Oakland. You were moving to Oakland the year after I left for Chicago. I remember 59 cent specials on 45s @ Reid's and Music City. My mama was a B. B. King fan. She grew up in the same area of Texas that Lightnin' Hopkins was from. My father was from the Southeast and he was more of a gospel quartet person. I remember when KDIA was KWBR and KSOL was KSAN with DJ Rockin' Lucky who played blues, blues, blues. Are you still in California?

Unfortunately, Oakland ain't what it used to be.

Jay R

4y↑4

M.Saint,
Thank you for your quick response. The days of the early blues in Oakland were wonderful. My uncle is STILL alive in 2020. His house is a record museum. KDIA radio 1310 played all the blues all the time. I remember when my uncle brought home Little Milton "FEEL SO BAD" from Reid's Record Store on Alcatraz in Berkeley. HE LOVED THAT SONG and danced and danced to it with my aunt. What good times they were!!!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I believe that the "blues is here to stay". I discovered Jimmy McCracklin when I came to Oakland. My favorite song at the time was "THINK". All my family used to come over on Friday nights, and the party was on. Catfish, chicken, greens and cornbread were on the menu, and we always had a good time. OH HOW I WISH I COULD HAVE THOSE TIMES AGAIN!! I have my memories, and that's what makes me happy now.....

m. saint

4y↑1

@Jay R I played piano behind Lowell Fulson while in Bakersfield in the early 1960s, the original Little Johnny Taylor, Ted Taylor, Bob and Earl, Pete Lewis, Buddy and Stacey etc., the list goes on and on. Bakersfield was a blues Mecca with four or five hot blues night clubs going seven nights a week. I was was a young whippersnapper back then and those were the best days of my life.

Jay R

4y↑6

Yes,
I just posted about this song. I was born in New Orleans, and first heard it there in 1963. My mama wouldn't let us listen to it. In the Bible Belt, this was BAR ROOM MUSIC. I heard it blaring out the Juke Joint when I passed by going to the grocery store. Sure sounded good to me! The church was around the corner from the Juke Joint. Sometimes you saw the SAME people in BOTH places, so I was confused, lol.
The family moved to Oakland, California in 1970, and the blues was HOT 🔥 there. Jimmy McCracklin, Lowell Fulson, the Other Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton, Muddy Waters dominated the radio, so I got to see and appreciate it in both places. Love the Blues!!!

m. saint

@Sherrie Grady-Rogers ????????

2 More Replies...

April May

4y↑1

That's what you call good old school blues love that

Maggie Rae

11y↑1

Thank you for posting this video! I had forgotten about Little Johnny Taylor. Back in the day, we used (my friends and I) think that Johnnie Taylor and Little Johnny Taylor were one and the same. Thanks again, I love this song!

TheBrooklynLady

13y↑3

Back in the day...Birdells Record Store on Nostrand and Fulton in Brooklyn, this song would be coming through the loud speakers on a Friday evening..so nice....I did not know Mr. Taylor passed in 2002...another talent gone......RIP Little Johnnie Taylor.

Cynthia Pickett

Late mother loved this (one-hit wonder on the pop charts in 1963) song!

mrstanbmw

8y↑8

He be killing that Every,every never heard nobody stretch out a word like that.

Ricky J.C. Robinson Jr.

8y↑23

I love the part when he says she came home this morning! Yes saahhh

Serene Amani

8y↑6

Don't ask me no questions daddy, cause I'll be leavin' again!!

Steve Howle

7y↑6

Can you say SOUL MUSIC?.....This is IT!

Lois Benibo

I used to play it when my late first husband was getting dressed up to go out!

Philippe Ouellette

7y↑13

who is playing the guitar on this track?..is it johnny himself? cause that's some pretty good pickin.

Lisa Gay-Drake

@JIMI T Tony Drake

JIMI T

5y↑10

velvethammer26 ...Arthur Wright on guitar

Tracy Patton

6y↑1

Heard of Little Johnny Taylor always thought it was Johnny Taylor, now I know different. Love this song, I heard the song before but by Johnny Taylor, now I know this is the original and I love them both.

Elsie McPherson-Brown

6y↑5

Back down memory lane-my daddies jam.

superninja109

12y

Thanks for posting! Been actively searching for this song daily since 1961! Finally!

kathleen feaster

6y↑2

All time classic .

John B

12y↑2

Great Song! Payed this in the EM club at Bien Hoa AFB when we came in from the bush. We were a long way from the world. Lotsa part time love available. Love this jam. Haven't heard it in 47 years.

fsinatra1911

I salute your service sir

Dupree Blues

7y↑1

Howard Tate covered this tune magnificently

Simon Riordan

9y↑3

Nothing part time about this...it's pure quality
Sure I've heard another version of this on Stax?
Maybe Albert King?

James Slaughter

Love this song

Kametia Dow

This that feel good music for the soul❤❤❤❤

ANISTAZI metal 94609

Brilliant !

Beverly Harris

The original best blues ever. Cannot duplicate!

snicker9400

12y↑5

dear blues lovers- copyrights in this country are good for 37 years- after that the music becomes "Public Domain"-This is public domain now- OUR >REAL AMERICAN MUSIC!>> *OUR*<< SOUL!- love to all- A grey eagle!--(mulungeon roots!)

Leonora Ingram

4y↑3

This song make me think of my best friend mother she show me how dance, and cook, l Love like she was my mother may she rest in heaven

Sonny Burnett

9y↑7

This is the shit!!!

Marshall Thomas

7y↑9

That's right that's what I need a part time lover...my ex wife hated this song...especially when she piss me off...I would play this song.

JIMI T

5y↑2

It don’t get no better than this !

Franck Goldwasser

6y↑1

"This video is for educational purposes only"! Fucking brilliant!

TheAudivisioner

11y

In later years, at Stax Records, Isaac Hayes remade this song on the album, "Black Moses".

Sam Stevens

Second best blues song ever made

Capt Larry -

1964 KDIA Oakland...blasting blues , R and B, all over N.California.. from it;'s transmitter on the edge of the bay, right at the toll booth to the Bay Bridge. I came up listening to live broadcasts of gospel , then my world opened up with KDIA. Greatest education a white boy lost in the fringe of the burbs could ever have had. Jamming the freeway in the 36 hp VW... to crawl in my girls window at midnite.. make it till dawn, then beat feet home. Never be 17 again. ( thank god !)

DENNY R MAN

4y↑1

IF YOU EVER HAD THE BLUES THIS IS THE CURE FOR THE BLUES MY PEOPLE THE ARABI MUSIC MAN AND ROXANNE

curtis mayfield

13y↑3

LITTLE JOHNNY TAYLOR DIED IN 2002 R.I.P.

William Parker

She came home about 6 o'clock in the morning, I asked her where she had been, she said don't ask me no questions daddy, cause I'll be leavin again! That's exactly why I got me a part time love!

Bettye Mays

5y↑1

can you publish " my heart is filled with pain" by Little Johnny Taylor flip side of "Since I've found a new love"

grosper

13y

Great!

gerald dugas

talk about the blues, this is the best.

Ada Mannings

He's good like his dad johnny taylor

Marshall Thomas

I would play this song every time my ex would piss me off...and that would even make her madder as hell..I let this song say it all.

CrossBonesAlex

10y↑5

Now I know where Magic Slim got his inspiration from - totally different version though

m. saint

4y↑1

Now this was the REAL Little Johnny Taylor. I played piano behind him when he came to Bakersfield, CA in the early 1960s. He was a baaaad, badass mfr.

ladymakini

9y↑30

ain't no PART-TIME love gon be washing yo dirty cloths. u need a FULL-TIME love for that kinda work!!

Linda Oliver

4y↑1

LOL, sho u rite.

Santina Rainey

5y↑2

That's what I thought!

Linda Oliver

6y↑2

Hahahahaha

scottydee50

6y↑5

Ha you right mama!

Corey Rutherford

Johnny indeed......

Marshall Thomas

this was my song...I would play this song wen my ex-wife would piss me off..she would get mad as hell every time I played this song..little does she knows I was telling her something n this song.

Patricia Thompson

5y↑1

We don't wash with rocks and ringer washers any more. The machine does the washing!😍

DENNY R MAN

4y↑2

PEOPLE IN THE CEMETARY THEY ARE NOT ALONE SOME TURN TO DUST AND SOME TO BONE THE ARABI MUSIC MAN AND ROXANNE

DENNY R MAN

4y↑1

GO OUT TONIGHT AND TI[P TOE AND FIND A PART TIME LOVE YEA YOUR RIGHT ON THE MONEY THE MUSIC MAN AND ROXANNE

Louie Love

5y↑1

223 brought me here thank you! I'm learning a lot 😓😢

Linda Oliver

That is one tuff woman!! "Don't ask me no questions, Daddy, cause I'll be leaving again." Well, alrighty then.

Aaron Jones

13y↑1

love it from sheffield alabama juke joints whwn i was 16.

gayle2020

12y

oh yes Birdells. Good memories

Marsha Johnson

5y↑1

Don't ask me no questions because I'll be leaving again, I don't think she wanted to be bothered with him at all. LOL

Jack Frost

10y↑18

some fine guitar here,
sho' do.

Louis Martin

JIMI T in

JIMI T

This is the iconic Arthur Wright on guitar playing a Gibson ES 330.

Ricky J.C. Robinson Jr.

6y↑2

Jack Frost whoever playing is killing....man just blazing

jasonpfinch

10y↑5

sho' is!

Miss T.

5y↑1

Yeah!!!!!!!

Mike Wheeler

12y

@ifinallyfoundthebeef I was under the impresstion that this was a JT original.

Coave Music

9y↑5

Guitarist was Tony Drake

JIMI T

Arthur Wright- Gibson ES 330 guitar.

Colin Sanders

wikipedia says guitarist was Arthur Wright

sandy mack

7y↑1

Arthur Wright is on guitar

Coave Music

9y↑5

Guitarist was Tony Drake

JIMI T

This is Arthur Wright on guitar

Sala Manca

8y↑2

This is not the blind white Guitarist Tony Drake or Sir Francis.
But the black one who was a great guitar player who really knows the blues. Who knows when to hold back and leave that space that that makes you want more but only let you have it when the time is right. and to play what is necessary to convey the right feelings. The black people who invented the Blues understood when they took it electric there was a subtlety to it, it wasn't about being a bull in a china shop. Like a lot of these white so called "blues artist" who feel they have to be all over the place on the instrument as if they are trying to prove some point or the other. Little Johnny Taylor recorded it again in the 70s on Ronn in fact the whole album they put together call " Part time love" is just brilliant from start to finish. sadly he never enjoyed the flame he should have, he kept Soul music real by keeping the blues in it.

Vanessa Morris

13y

I LIKE LITTER JOHONNY TAYLOR TOO .

jay1beaux

13y

Yes!

Blues Chick

His excuse for cheating it makes sense lol

randomandrare

13y↑1

@elbowout You're very welcome

Lane Rovito

I need lorah' lat her be mi whole time lover'.

randomandrare

12y

@superninja109 You're very welcome

Art Boy

9y↑4

People in the cemmatary..

Ashly Stevens

5y↑1

some turn to bones

Maggie Rae

9y↑1

I think the album cover being shown here is Johnny Taylor and not Little Johnny Taylor. Two different people. I use to get confused to.

randomandrare

9y↑4

No problem Maggie Rae :-)

Maggie Rae

9y↑3

@randomandrare Thank you I do apologize for my comment.

randomandrare

@***** The album cover is here is Little Johnny Taylor

Lindsley Love

No! remove the comment instead!

geneking7320

14y

@LadyofWar1980

Maxine Mathenia

6y↑1

Maxine mathis part time

Sandra Lawson

12y↑1

Sandra Dee Lawson.

sigraviovio

Non

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