Trying
Phil & The Girls-Billy Lyrics
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Lord knows that I've been trying
To understand why
Can't I be your only man
Now you said you loved me
So sincerely
That I believed that you loved me
Can't I be your only man
Day after day you
Ya Treat me any old way
I wanna go but my heart says no
Acting so strange
But my love still remains
So keep on trying boy
She's gonna change
[Instrumental]
Day after day you
Ya Treat me any old way
I wanna go but my heart says no
Acting so strange
Yet my love still remains
It says keep on trying boy
She's gonna change
Now, I've been trying,
Lord knows how I've been trying
But I can't understand why
Can't I be your only man
I just keep on trying
Oooh...ohoooh...
Just keep on trying...
Oooh...ohoooh...
Ya gotta keep on trying
Oooh...ohoooh...
The song "Trying" by Phil & The Girls (also known as The Ronettes) is about the singer's struggles to understand why their partner won't commit to them fully. The opening line "I've been trying, Lord knows that I've been trying" emphasizes the effort the singer has put into the relationship. They express confusion about why their partner wouldn't choose them as their only lover, despite the partner saying they love them. The lines "Day after day you treat me any old way" show that the partner is not treating the singer well, and yet the singer's love for them remains.
The singer encourages themself to "keep on trying," despite their partner's odd behavior and lack of commitment. The chorus is a repetition of "Can't I be your only man," highlighting the singer's desire to be solely loved by their partner. The instrumental breaks add a sense of melancholy to the song, emphasizing the singer's emotion and the gravity of the situation.
The song is a classic example of the girl group sound of the 1960s, with its catchy melody and doo-wop inspired backing vocals. The Ronettes (Phil & The Girls) were a prominent group in this genre, known for hits such as "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain".
Line by Line Meaning
I've been trying,
I have been making an effort and doing my best,
Lord knows that I've been trying
I have been trying excessively and exhaustively,
To understand why
To comprehend and make sense of the situation,
Can't I be your only man
Can't I be the only one for you and have your undivided love,
Now you said you loved me
You expressed your love for me in words,
So sincerely
With utmost honesty and truthfulness,
That I believed that you loved me
I trusted and had faith in your love for me,
Yet I can't understand why
Despite all this, I am unable to comprehend why,
Day after day you
Every single day you,
Ya Treat me any old way
You mistreat and abuse me without any regard or respect,
I wanna go but my heart says no
I want to leave, but my emotions and feelings for you keep holding me back,
Acting so strange
Behaving in an unusual or bizarre manner,
But my love still remains
Regardless of your behavior, my feelings of affection for you still exist,
So keep on trying boy
Don't give up and continue to persevere,
She's gonna change
Eventually, she will alter her ways and treat me better,
[Instrumental]
No lyrics, instrumental interlude,
Now, I've been trying,
I have been putting in effort and attempting,
Lord knows how I've been trying
I have been trying vigorously and strenuously,
But I can't understand why
I am still unable to comprehend the situation,
Just keep on trying...
Continue to try and don't give up,
Ya gotta keep on trying
You must persist and keep trying,
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS L MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind