I Second That Emotion
Marvin Gaye & Smokey Robinson Lyrics


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Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'll go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse that none at all

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion, oh

Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
And so it makes you wise to break the rules

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion

Oh, oh
Oh, oh

Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
I do believe that that would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion




(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(Oh)

Overall Meaning

In this song, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson both express their fear of being used for one night only by their respective partners. The lyrics indicate that their partners may only want fleeting moments of passion or that they may not be willing to commit to a long-term relationship. The singers admit that they are willing to take the risk of giving their hearts to their partners if they truly feel the same way. The line “and a taste of honey is worse than none at all” suggests that the singers are not happy with having just a brief taste of love. They are looking for something more substantial in their relationships.


In the chorus of the song, Gaye and Robinson sing “if you feel like lovin’ me, if you’ve got the notion, I second that emotion.” This means that they are willing to put themselves on the line and give love a chance, but only if their partners are also ready to commit to a long-term relationship. The line “I second that emotion” echoes the phrase commonly used in American meetings when someone agrees with another’s proposal.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe you'll wanna give me kisses sweet
Perhaps you'll desire to kiss me affectionately


But only for one night with no repeat
Restricting it to one night with no repetition


And maybe you'll go away and never call
It's possible that you'll leave and never communicate


And a taste of honey is worse than none at all
Experiencing a little bit of something and not having it completely is worse


Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
In that case, I don't want to be involved,


I do believe that that would only break my heart
I believe it would only cause me heartache


Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me
However, if you have a desire to love me


If you got the notion
If it's something you're considering


I second that emotion
I agree with and support that feeling


Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
And if you feel like giving me lifelong commitment,


I second that emotion, oh
I agree and support that feeling, oh


Maybe you'll think that love would tie you down
It's possible that you believe love would restrict you


And you don't have the time to hang around
And you don't have time to spend with someone


Or maybe you think that love was made for fools
Or perhaps you think only fools fall in love


And so it makes you wise to break the rules
So you think it's wise to disregard the normal conventions


Oh, oh
Oh, oh


Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
In that case, I don't want to be involved,


I do believe that that would only break my heart
I believe it would only cause me heartache


Said, if you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion
So if you have the desire to devote your life to me


I second that emotion
I agree with and support that feeling


(Oh, little girl, I second that emotion)
(Oh, little girl, I agree with and support that feeling)


(Oh)
(Oh)




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred Cleveland, William Robinson Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@sixunderground2002

Verse 1]
Maybe you want to give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'd go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse than none at all

[Hook]
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion

[Verse 2]
Maybe you think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think that love was made for fools
So it makes you wise to break the rules

[Hook]
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion



@Morgan-pz3ni

Maybe you want to give me kisses sweet
But only for one night with no repeat
And maybe you'd go away and never call
And a taste of honey is worse than none at all


Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion


Maybe you think that love would tie you down
And you don't have the time to hang around
Maybe you think that love was made for fools
So it makes you wise to break the rules


Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion
Oh, little girl, in that case I don't want no part
That would only break my heart
Oh, but if you feel like loving me
If you got the notion
I second that emotion
Said, if you feel like giving me
A lifetime of devotion
I second that emotion



All comments from YouTube:

@GreigStott

Never fail to be uplifted by this one, magic 🙏❤️

@chemistryset1

well said, such a sweet and soulful song

@gilbertochoa6982

The Motown sound is unlike any other. It is real. The sound produced came from pure talent and is timeless.

@Suri-A_

"If you feel like giving me a lifetime of devotion I second that emotion " sends chills up & down my spine! WOW!

@woahmusic

@Markus Patients why are one night stands knocking on your door, anyway?

@lukeskywalker1840

No Auto-Tune, no electronics, no gimmicks. 100 percent talent.

@angelbaby9680

PURE MICHIGAN

@bellofortis2020

Smokey and Marvin.

That's it. That's the list.

@martynh5410

I also second that!

@joanjett8814

All I know is it sounds absolutely incredible to me ..

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