Give It Up
Mayfield Curtis Lyrics


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It is my theory
The two of us are somewhat leery
About the happiness
We both set out to posses

We've got all the comforts of life
A few kids and you are my wife
And I tell it like it is
I must confess

I'm gonna have to give it up
I'm gonna have to give it up

All concern and the trusts that never happened with us
The walk of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened you see and I'm so sorry

I really truly love you
And the kids you must agree
And I never had too much
Concern or interest in astrology

But as I read it must be so
The invulnerable word incompatible
No matter how much we try
Our indifference but still show

Now we've got give it up
I'm gonna have to give it up

All concern and the trusts that never happened with us
The walk of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened you see and I'm so sorry

Now we've got give it up, ooh child
I've got to have to give it up
Lord, have mercy
Now I've got give it up, ooh
I've got to give it up

All concern and the trusts that never happened with us
The walk of embraces and the love of our faces
It never happened you see and I'm so sorry

But now we've got to give it up
What am I do?
Child, we've got to give it up
I'll be so lonely without you
But now I've got to give it up

Lord, forgive me, ooh
I've got to give it up, ooh




Now I've got to give it up
Lord, I have to give it up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mayfield Curtis's song "Give It Up" tell the story of a couple who have been together for a long time and have all of the comforts of a good life, including children and a happy family. However, despite this, the couple is facing some doubt and uncertainty about the happiness they have been striving for. The singer expresses "theory" that he and his partner are "leery" of the happiness they have been pursuing.


As the song progresses, the singer reveals that he has come to realize that the relationship is no longer working. He acknowledges that despite his love for his partner and their children, their differences are too great to overcome. The lyrics allude to the idea that the couple's astrological signs are incompatible, and that their "indifference" to each other is becoming apparent.


Throughout the song, the singer repeats the phrase "I'm gonna have to give it up," which serves as a lament for the loss of the relationship. Despite his reluctance to let go, he acknowledges that it is necessary to move on.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship, and the difficulty of acknowledging when it is time to let go.


Line by Line Meaning

It is my theory
I have come to the conclusion


The two of us are somewhat leery
We both have some doubts


About the happiness
Regarding our joy


We both set out to posses
What we were hoping to achieve


We've got all the comforts of life
We have everything we need


A few kids and you are my wife
We have children and we're married


And I tell it like it is
I'm being honest


I must confess
I need to admit


I'm gonna have to give it up
I have to let go


All concern and the trusts that never happened with us
All the worries and unfulfilled promises between us


The walk of embraces and the love of our faces
The intimate moments and loving expressions


It never happened you see and I'm so sorry
We never truly experienced it and I apologize


I really truly love you
I genuinely have affection for you


And the kids you must agree
Our children are proof of our love


And I never had too much
I never cared too deeply


Concern or interest in astrology
About horoscopes or the supernatural


But as I read it must be so
But I realized it's probably true


The invulnerable word incompatible
The fact that we cannot coexist happily


No matter how much we try
Despite our attempts


Our indifference but still show
Our apathy is evident


Now we've got give it up
Now we have to let go


Ooh child
Exclamation of distress


Lord, have mercy
Asking for forgiveness


What am I do?
What should I do now?


Child, we've got to give it up
We have to move on


I'll be so lonely without you
I will miss you deeply


Lord, forgive me, ooh
Asking for forgiveness


Now I've got to give it up
I need to let go


Lord, I have to give it up
I must move on




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Charlie Waters

Lets just get to it: masterpiece! Curtis at his finest and such emotional honesty, incredible...

J Eshun

Happy heavenly 79th birthday to falsetto maestro Curtis Mayfield, one of my all time fave Soul artists, the singer-songwriter, guitarist & producer, this track is from his debut solo album

m patrick

my favorite soul song of the 70s.

Sunday Osazuwa

good composition Curtis!

Virgil R

Brilliant!!!

Joy Harrison

This masterpiece album needs to be more celebrated. It's a social commentary album that preceded Gaye's masterpiece message album What's Going On.

Kevin Watkins

I really truly love you, and the kids you.must agree, and I ve never had too much concern or interest in astrology, but as I read it must be so, that invulnerable word - incompatible ....

008BUCKINSSR

SUPER! SUPER! AWESOME! TUNE!

ANTHOLOGY ARTS

love. Curtis tunes

GPT719

Thank you ! I've been looking for somebody to post this song ! :-)

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