A Woman a Lover a Friend
Otis Redding Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mmm, I want me somebody to hold my hand
Somebody to love me and understand
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend, oh

I want me somebody to share my love
Lovin' is something I gotta have
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
I don't want a fancy gal, powder and paint
And I don't want me a woman who thinks she's a saint
I'm lookin' for someone who's not make believe
And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive

I want me somebody somewhere around
That's looking for someone
TEE pound for pound

Oh, I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
Yeah
I want this little girl right now
I Want to run away now
Want her really how now
Ah, baby
Come on baby
Need you right here by my side now
I need you to protect me
I need you to stand right by me
And I want you
And I want you to just
Come on baby
And I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you




I want you
I want you

Overall Meaning

The song "Woman a Lover a Friend" by Otis Redding is a heartfelt plea for love and companionship. The lyrics express the singer's desire for a woman who can be his lover, friend, and companion in life. The first two lines, "I want me somebody to hold my hand / Somebody to love me and understand," convey the singer's need for physical and emotional affection from a partner.


The following lines reveal the singer's specific desires in a woman. He wants someone with whom he can share his love and who reciprocates his feelings. He is not interested in a woman who is shallow or superficial, but instead wants someone genuine and giving. The repeated refrain of "I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend" emphasizes the singer's need for a well-rounded partner who can fulfill multiple roles in his life.


Overall, the song is a moving expression of the universal human desire for love and connection. The lyrics communicate the singer's longing for a partner who can provide emotional support, physical affection, and a deep connection on multiple levels.


Line by Line Meaning

Mmm, I want me somebody to hold my hand
I desire to find someone to provide emotional support and be there for me physically


Somebody to love me and understand
I am searching for a person who will both love me and comprehend my needs


I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend, oh
I seek someone who can fulfill different roles in my life, as a woman, a partner, and a companion


I want me somebody to share my love
I yearn for someone who reciprocates the affection I have to give


Lovin' is something I gotta have
Experiencing love is a necessity for me


I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
Again, I am seeking the same kind of person who can be different things to me


I don't want a fancy gal, powder and paint
A superficial, high-maintenance woman is not what I desire


And I don't want me a woman who thinks she's a saint
I am not looking for someone with a holier-than-thou attitude


I'm lookin' for someone who's not make believe
I want a real, genuine person


And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive
I want someone who is willing to give and take equally in a relationship


I want me somebody somewhere around
I desire someone who is close by and accessible


That's looking for someone TEE pound for pound
I hope to find someone who is also seeking a partner and is committed to a balanced, fair relationship


Oh, I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
I repeat my desire for this particular kind of partner


Yeah
A simple affirmation or agreement


I want this little girl right now I Want to run away now Want her really how now Ah, baby Come on baby
I am so drawn to this woman that I want to escape with her and have her for myself


Need you right here by my side now I need you to protect me I need you to stand right by me
I desire a partner who will support me and be my protector


And I want you And I want you to just Come on baby And I want you I want you I want you I want you I want you I want you I want you I want you I want you
I cannot deny my strong attraction to this person and I want them to be in my life in all of the ways I have described




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SID WYCHE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

BikeNerd

this tune is impeccable! the band, his vox, the complete package. No doubt.

VANESSA WYCHE

jacobo salazar jr Thanks for liking my dad song

Jesse Friend

I live in Madison, WI (where his plane crashed, for those who don’t know the history), and every year on the anniversary, i go out on the lake, play this song (and a few others), reflect on the tragedy of such a talent lost so young, and give thanks for the beautiful gifts he left us before he was taken.

Cold af out on that lake in December, but worth it.

shambo22

I used to play this song again and again back then in the sixties. never heard such a well sung blues since then...

Megg_Garden

Superbe. . Toujours la même sensation quand on écoute cette voix .. ❤

Nina Ross

A woman that don't mind giving so she can receive!!! The big O had class & game at the same time R.I.P. Mr. Redding!!!!

Anita JB Nindi

Another great song from Otis Reading....

James Welsh

I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on YouTube

Mike Anderson

I've honestly never heard someone say "Otis cannot sing it from the heart" (Clara)...haha. Honestly, they are both great versions. I love both of em :-)

Joli Rose

Love Otis Redding🍷💥🧸🧸💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻🌹🌹❤️❣️❣️❣️👍🍷🍷🍷🍷

More Comments

More Versions