Don
Otis Redding Lyrics


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In the beginning
You really loved me, oh
I was too blind
I could not see, now

But now that you left me
Ooh, how I cried out, I keep crying
You don't miss your water
'Till your well runs dry

I kept you crying
Sad and blue, oh my, oh
I was a playboy
I just wouldn't be true

But now that you left me
Good lord, how I cried, I keep crying, I keep crying
Ooh, I didn't miss my water
No I never missed my water
'Till my well were run dry

I sit here and wonder
How in the world this could be, my, oh my
I never thought, oh, I never thought
You'd ever leave me

But now that you left me
Good lord, good lord, how I cried
You don't miss your water, you don't miss your water
'Till your well runs dry

Ooh, you don't miss your water, oh, you don't miss your water
'Till your well runs dry
I miss my water
I keep missing my water
I keep missing my water
And I want my water
I need my water
I love my water
And I want my water
And I'm little thirsty, now
And I'm little thirsty, now




I want my water
I keep wanting my water

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Otis Redding's “Don't Miss Your Water” is a reflection of the remorse of a man who took the love he was given for granted. The song is a lamentation of a man who realizes too late the value of the love and affection showered on him by his beloved. The opening lines of the song try to convey the singer's ignorance and insensitivity to the love he was given. He was blinded by his own selfishness and didn't appreciate the love he was given at the time. However, now that his lover has left him, he realizes the value of her affection and is filled with remorse.


As the song proceeds, the singer admits to his past mistakes and how he was responsible for the breakdown of their relationship. He was a “playboy” who didn't have an ounce of fidelity in him. He was not only unfaithful, but he also caused his lover to cry and feel sad, and now that she's gone, he's feeling the full weight of her absence. The chorus of the song keeps reemphasizing how he shouldn't have taken her love for granted, and how he misses her and needs her now more than ever.


Line by Line Meaning

In the beginning
At the start of our relationship


You really loved me, oh
You truly cared for me


I was too blind
I was unable to see


I could not see, now
I realize my blindness now


But now that you left me
Since you departed


Ooh, how I cried out, I keep crying
I wept and continue to do so


You don't miss your water
You do not realize what you had


'Till your well runs dry
Until something is gone


I kept you crying
I caused you to weep


Sad and blue, oh my, oh
Feeling dejected and unhappy


I was a playboy
I acted like a womanizer


I just wouldn't be true
I couldn't be faithful


Good lord, how I cried
I wept bitterly


Ooh, I didn't miss my water
I didn't appreciate what I had


No I never missed my water
I never realized my mistake


'Till my well were run dry
Until I lost everything


I sit here and wonder
I contemplate and ponder


How in the world this could be, my, oh my
How did this happen?


I never thought, oh, I never thought
I never expected


You'd ever leave me
You would depart


And I'm little thirsty, now
I am now longing for what I had


I want my water
I desire what I once had


I keep wanting my water
I continuously long for it




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLIAM BELL

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

@tonytshabalala2380

LYRICS:


In the beginning you really loved me, oh
I was too blind, I could not see, now
But now that you left me
oh, how I cried out, I keep crying
You don't miss your water 'till your well run dry

I kept you crying, sad and blue, oh my, oh
I was a playboy, I just wouldn't be true
But now that you left me
Good Lord, how I cried, I keep crying, I keep crying
Ooh, I've been miss my water
No, I never miss my water 'till my well run dry

I sit here and wonder
How in the world this could be, my, oh my
I never thought, oh, I never thought you'd ever leave me
But now that you left me
Good Lord, good Lord, how I cried out
You don't miss your water
You don't miss your water 'till your well run dry

Ooh, You don't miss your water, oh
You don't miss your water 'till your well run dry



All comments from YouTube:

@__blessings123

Snowfall brought me here today but I LOVE the Motown generation. Oldies plays a huge role in my childhood. From a child to my late teens that’s all I listened to. 1920’s to 1970’s was definitely my go to music even now. It touches the deepest part of my heart and soul. Idk I attached myself that when I listen to some oldies I feel at peace. Otis Redding was PURE TALENT! The Temptations will be one of the most talented groups that would ever touch this earth. One of Motown golden artists.. not to take from the other artists from Motown days. Motown had many golden artists. Sorry I lost myself for a second took me back.. Ngl I cried listening to this because it reminded me of times when things used to be so simple in life.

@thruend2496

This is STAX Power baby.

@matthewsmith1941

They just played this on the new South Park Streaming Wars 2 and I had to hear it again. What an incredible song. Gave me chill bumps.

@fallingstar403

Otis Redding is guaranteed to pull your heart strings ❤️

@jamespowell2927

I had to listen to the entire album when I heard it again 🙂

@michelleshore9910

Agreed!

@dominiquejones3805

Dope!!!!

@dominiquejones3805

Snowfall also had it

3 More Replies...

@CCP12610

I can't believe he was only 26 when he died. Blows my mind. So many classic songs in such a short period of time. Thank you, Otis!!!!

@danielwilliams1932

in 50's and 60's all great singers died in plane crashes.

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