She has received recognition of her works in music, being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Apollo Hall of Fame, the Songwriters' Hall of Fame as well as the World Music Awards presenting her with the prestigious Legend Award. In 2012 and 2013, LaBelle embarked on the 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating her years in the music business.
Ain't No Way
Patti LaBelle Lyrics
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For me to love you
If you won't let me
It ain't no way
For me to give you all you need
If you won't let me
Give all of me
I know that a woman's duty
Is to have and love a man
And that's the way it was planned
Oh but how can I, how can I, how can I
Give you all the things I can
If your tying up both of my hands
Oh ain't no, ain't no way (ain't no way)
It ain't no way no, no, no (ain't no way)
Sho' ain't no way (ain't no way)
It ain't no way (ain't no way)
It ain't no way for me to love you
If you won't let me
So, stop trying to be
Someone your not
Hard, cold and cruel is a man
Who paid to much for what he's got
And if you need me
Won't you say, say you do
Because if you need me
Don't you know I need you
Ain't no way
The lyrics to Patti LaBelle's song "Ain't No Way" tell the story of a woman who is frustrated and unable to provide her love and attention to a man who refuses to let her do so. The song expresses a longing desire to love and be loved, but the subject is being held back by the significant other's inability to let go of control. The opening line,"Ain't no way for me to love you if you won't let me," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is unable to give her all to someone who is not willing to accept it.
The song's lyrics also touch on the traditional role of a woman in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that society places an expectation on women to love and have a man. However, the subject states that she cannot fulfill that duty if her partner refuses to let her love him. The song speaks to a broader theme of the importance of communication and mutual respect in a relationship.
Overall, "Ain't No Way" is a poignant and emotional ballad that speaks to the universal experience of love and heartbreak. The singer's powerful vocals, combined with the song's soulful melody, make for a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no way
There is absolutely no possibility
For me to love you
For me to have romantic feelings for you
If you won't let me
If you don't allow me to do so
It ain't no way
It is impossible
For me to give you all you need
For me to fulfill all of your desires and requirements
If you won't let me
If you don't let me do it for you
Give all of me
Give you all of myself
I know that a woman's duty
I understand the societal expectations placed on women
Is to have and love a man
Is to be in a heterosexual relationship
And that's the way it was planned
And that's how society has been structured
Oh but how can I, how can I, how can I
Oh, but how can I possibly
Give you all the things I can
Provide you with everything that I am capable of giving
If your tying up both of my hands
If you're hindering me from doing so
Oh ain't no, ain't no way (ain't no way)
Oh, there's absolutely no way
It ain't no way no, no, no (ain't no way)
It's impossible, no matter how much you try
Sho' ain't no way (ain't no way)
Surely, it's impossible
It ain't no way (ain't no way)
It's just not possible
It ain't no way for me to love you
I cannot love you under these circumstances
If you won't let me
If you refuse to allow me to do so
So, stop trying to be
Stop attempting to act like
Someone your not
Someone you are not
Hard, cold and cruel is a man
A man who is difficult, unfeeling, and harsh
Who paid to much for what he's got
Who paid too high of a price for what he has
And if you need me
And if you require me
Won't you say, say you do
Can't you simply admit it
Because if you need me
Because if you truly need me
Don't you know I need you
You should realize that I also need you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carolyn Franklin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Montreal Mitchell
I love how well Patti preserved her voice, singing so violently like that 😂
Jonathan Brooks
I love the shade and the truth in your comment. I believe Fantasia and Hudson learned from the same book.
Venus Montero
Mama always sings like if her rent was due. ❤️😫
SECHAN
@MrCamp not to much on Ariana .
MrCamp
And Rolling Stone had the AUDACITY to put Ariana Grande THIRTY PLACES HIGHER than Patti Labelle on their 200 Best Singers of All Time list. Patti now in her 70s would make Ariana Grande cry!
Rafa Mena
Pristine technique dawling
Officialshulem
Later that night, Aretha called Patti and said “you did okay” 🤣 Aretha was hilarious. Especially when it came to people singing her songs.
Pamela Walker
She sung the heck out of that. The background vocalist did a fantastic job!
Jalen Cooper
@Othiess Wilson doesn’t look like her in the video 🤔
Othiess Wilson
That's because its the original person who sang it... That's Cicee Houston, Whitney Houston's mother