Jodie Prenger = Nancy
Rowan Atkinson = Fagin
Burn Gorman = Bill Sikes
Julius D’Silva = Mr. Bumble
Laurence Jeffcoate, Harry Stott & Gwion Wyn Jones = Oliver
As Long As He Needs Me
Oliver! 2009 London Cast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, yeah, he does need me
In spite of what you see
I'm sure that he needs me
Who else would love him still
When they've been used so ill
He knows I always will
As long as he needs me
I miss him so much when he is gone
But when he's near me , I don't let on
The way I feel inside
The love I have to hide
The hell, I've got my pride
As long as he needs me
He doesn't say the things he should
He acts the way he thinks he should
But all the same, I'll play this game
His way
As long as he needs me
I know where I must be
I'll cling on steadfastly
As long as he needs me
As long as life is long
I'll love him right or wrong
And somehow, I'll be strong
As long as he needs me
If you are lonely then you will know
When someone needs you, you love them so
I won't betray his trust
Though people say I must
I've got to stay true, just
As long as he needs me
The song "As Long As He Needs Me" from the musical Oliver! explores the unconditional love that the character Nancy has for her abusive partner, Bill Sikes. Nancy sings about her devotion to Bill, despite his mistreatment towards her and others. The lyrics convey her belief that no matter how bad he behaves, he still needs her and she will remain by his side. She sees herself as the only one who would love him despite his faults.
Throughout the song, Nancy struggles with her conflicted feelings towards Bill. She misses him when he's gone, but also hides her love for him because she knows it's not healthy. Nevertheless, she continues to stay with him because she believes it's her duty to be there for him as long he needs her. The final verse of the song shows her conviction towards this ideal, stating that she will love him right or wrong and be strong no matter what.
The song's lyrics have been criticised for glamorising domestic violence and promoting an unhealthy and dangerous relationship. However, defenders argue that the song portrays the reality of many abusive relationships where the victim feels trapped and unable to leave. Regardless, the song has become a classic and beloved piece of musical theatre.
Line by Line Meaning
As long as he needs me
I will be there for him always.
Oh, yeah, he does need me
He needs me more than anyone else.
In spite of what you see
Despite how things may appear to others.
I'm sure that he needs me
I am confident in his need for me.
Who else would love him still
Who else could still love him after all he's been through?
When they've been used so ill
After he has been mistreated so badly.
He knows I always will
He knows I will always love him.
I miss him so much when he is gone
I long for him deeply when he's not here.
But when he's near me , I don't let on
I hide my true feelings when he's close.
The way I feel inside
The love I have for him that I keep inside me.
The love I have to hide
My feelings for him that I can't express.
The hell, I've got my pride
Although it's difficult, I still have my self-respect.
He doesn't say the things he should
He doesn't express his feelings the way he should.
He acts the way he thinks he should
He behaves according to his own beliefs.
But all the same, I'll play this game
I'll go along with what he wants, even if it's not what I want.
His way
Doing things according to his wishes.
I know where I must be
I know I must always be there for him.
I'll cling on steadfastly
I'll hold on tight and never let go.
As long as life is long
For as long as I live.
I'll love him right or wrong
No matter what he does, I'll still love him.
And somehow, I'll be strong
I'll find strength to keep going, no matter what happens.
If you are lonely then you will know
If you've ever been lonely, you can understand.
When someone needs you, you love them so
When someone needs you, you love them even more.
I won't betray his trust
I will never betray his confidence in me.
Though people say I must
Even if others say I should do otherwise.
I've got to stay true, just
I must remain loyal, always.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lionel Bart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anna Dau
Jodie perfectly captures Nancy's genuine fear and love with her shaky voice and so delivers a gut-wrenching rendition! <3
Mabry Johnson
As long as he needs me...
Oh, yes, he does need me...
In spite of what you see...
...I'm sure that he needs me.
Who else would love him still
When they've been used so ill?
He knows I always will...
As long as he needs me.
I miss him so much when he is gone,
But when he's near me
I don't let on...
...The way I feel inside.
The love, I have to hide...
The hell! I've got my pride
As long as he needs me.
He doesn't say the things he should.
He acts the way he thinks he should.
But all the same,
I'll play
This game
His way.
As long as he needs me...
I know where I must be.
I'll cling on steadfastly...
As long as he needs me.
As long as life is long...
I'll love him right or wrong,
And somehow, I'll be strong...
As long as he needs me.
If you are lonely
Then you will know...
When someone needs you,
You love them so.
I won't betray his trust...
Though people say I must.
I've got to stay true, just
As long as he needs me.
drwho10companion
Gonna miss Jodie as Nancy, but Kerry Ellis is taking over after 29th and she was a fantastic Elpheba in Wicked, so i think she will bring something new and fresh to the role :)
sumle85
I live in Sweden so I have only seen this on DVD, but in the on stage version there are many new songs. Thank you so much for this. I was only wondering if you have put the songs up in the order they come in they play? Thanks again
Kieran Sears
Opening night for the production of Oliver! I'm in is tonight <3
Nathaniel Edwards
this is amazing...
Steven Beausoleil
Jodie Prenger is freaking awesome
Harry IS Wright
Wow
xxepicsnailxx
@starlenia go to the theatre