When Something is Wrong With My Baby
Otis Redding feat. Carla Thomas Lyrics


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When something is wrong with my baby
Something is wrong with me
I know when she's a little worried
I feel that same old misery

We've been through so much together
We stand as one and that's what makes it better
When something is wrong with my baby
Something is wrong with me

Just what she means to me
You out there just can’t understand it
People can say my woman, she's no good
But she's my woman and I know, I’m her only man

And if he's got a problem
I got to help him solve ‘em




When something is wrong with my baby
Something is wrong with me

Overall Meaning

In "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby," Otis Redding and Carla Thomas express the depth of connection and compassion that exist within a committed romantic relationship. The lyrics indicate that the couple shares an unbreakable bond and that they feel each other's pains and joys. The singer reveals that he can discern when something is troubling his significant other and admits that it creates an undesirable response within him, feeling the same old misery. However, despite their issues, they stick together and support each other, as the two lines "We've been through so much together/We stand as one, and that's what makes it better" suggest. The singer perceives himself as his lover's only man, and despite other people's scorn, he will stay committed to her and help her through any problem.


This song's lyrics shed light on the emotional aspects of a successful relationship, which go beyond the usual "happy" or "lovey-dovey" stages. Maintaining a healthy relationship requires empathy and sacrifice, and Otis Redding and Carla Thomas capture these elements beautifully in "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby." In their intimate partnership, they feel each other's pain and are willing to go to great lengths to help one another.


Line by Line Meaning

When something is wrong with my baby
Whenever my partner is going through a hard time


Something is wrong with me
It affects me deeply and emotionally as well


I know when she's a little worried
I am able to sense when she is feeling anxious or uneasy


I feel that same old misery
And it pains me to see her unhappy


We've been through so much together
We have faced many challenges as a couple


We stand as one and that's what makes it better
But by sticking together and supporting each other, we are stronger


Just what she means to me
The depth of my love for her is hard for others to comprehend


You out there just can’t understand it
Some people might not get why I am so devoted to her


People can say my woman, she's no good
Others might criticize her or not see her worth


But she's my woman and I know, I’m her only man
But to me, she is everything and I am committed to her alone


And if he's got a problem
If my partner is struggling or going through tough times


I got to help him solve ‘em
I feel it is my duty to support and help her overcome her challenges


When something is wrong with my baby
Because when she is hurting, it deeply affects me as well


Something is wrong with me
And I am committed to being there for her, no matter what




Writer(s): ISAAC HAYES, DAVID PORTER

Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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