What Good Am I Without You
Marvin Gaye Feat. Kim Weston Lyrics
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Wo oh wo oh, wo oh wo oh
[Her:]
What good would a rose be if the raindrops didn't fall?
What good is a telephone if there's no one to call?
What good is a wedding if no one says "I do"?
Tell me, baby what good am I without you?
[Both:]
Wo oh wo oh, wo oh wo oh
[Him:]
What good is a flier if he don't have a plane?
What good is a doctor if he can't cure the pain?
Tell me, what good is a sweetheart who proves to be untrue?
What good, baby, am I without you?
[Him:] I'm no good without you, and there's one thing I know
[Her:] I just got to have you, darling, 'cause I love you so
[Him:] What good is living without the one you love?
[Her:] And what good is the heavens without the stars above?
[Him:] What good is a true heart that proves to be broken in two?
[Both:] [Repeat and fade:] What good, baby, am I without you?
The lyrics of Marvin Gaye's "What Good Am I Without You" depict the notion that certain things lose their purpose in the absence of something or someone they are connected to. The song starts with Kim Weston questioning what's the use of having a rose if it doesn't have the raindrops to nourish it, or a telephone if there's no one to call. The chorus then has them crooning together, implying that certain things are incomplete without their complement. In the second verse, Marvin Gaye talks about professions without their means, such as a flier without a plane and a doctor without a cure, and how they are incomplete in themselves. He then goes on to ask what's the benefit of having someone who is 'untrue' and how he is nothing without her.
The third verse brings both the vocalists singing about how they need each other - Marvin Gaye asserts that he is no good without her and that he needs her, and Kim Weston affirms that she loves him and wants him. In the final lines, they conclude that life is incomplete without love, just like the sky without stars or a true heart broken in two. Consequently, the song invokes introspection about the essence of 'complete' beings and how the absence of certain aspects in life renders them incomplete.
Line by Line Meaning
What good would a rose be if the raindrops didn't fall?
A rose's beauty is enhanced by the rain and without it, it wouldn't be as noteworthy.
What good is a telephone if there's no one to call?
Without someone on the other end, a phone serves no purpose.
What good is a wedding if no one says "I do"?
A wedding ceremony without the actual vows being exchanged is pointless.
Tell me, baby what good am I without you?
The person singing wants to know how they could possibly be of any worth without their significant other.
What good is a flier if he don't have a plane?
A flier or pilot without a plane cannot do what they were meant to do.
What good is a doctor if he can't cure the pain?
A doctor's sole purpose is to help alleviate the pain of their patients, so without that ability, they are not useful.
Tell me, what good is a sweetheart who proves to be untrue?
A partner who is disloyal and not genuine is of no value.
What good is living without the one you love?
Life without the love of your life doesn't hold much meaning.
And what good is the heavens without the stars above?
The night sky is incomplete without the shining stars.
What good is a true heart that proves to be broken in two?
A person's genuine and loyal heart that has been shattered is as good as useless.
What good, baby, am I without you?
The person singing reiterates their worthlessness without their love, seeking validation that they are indeed worthless without their partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALPHONSO HIGDON, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@toyahill4151
You betta sang Kim!!!
@rubymcnair4206
Tammi Terrell was the one four Marvin Gaye wish the two of them were here today rest in peace
@malcolmmarshall5946
Kim Weston was a belter!
@rubymcnair4206
I used to love this song When I was a teenager growing up Marvin Gaye sing with so many great ladies this was one of my favorites I just found it a minute ago
@rubymcnair4206
Tammi Terrell was always the number one woman in Marvin Gaye's life may they both rest in peace still listen to them to this day
@tonyrussi7777
They were NEVER romantically involved, LOL
@rubymcnair4206
Kim had a beautiful voice to Marvin Gaye sing with a lot of females you would think out of all the females he have seen with he could have had any of them that he wanted to but when Tammi Terrell came into his life that was the happiest he had ever been until she passed
@davidmoore6112
One of the all-time duets Marvin Gaye and Kim Wesson and a lot of people mistaken the two Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye but it's all good that's just how close they were together both females Marvin Gaye had both of them in the groove and I love it God bless both families the western family and the Terrell family we miss both of y'all we miss all y'all Motown we love you we miss you come on back Motown we miss you we love you God bless you
@russellyoung1262
One of my favorite duo's
@rubymcnair4206
✌🏾✌🏾