water
Pop Staples Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a dying man won't you give me water
My baby took my love and left me on a desert
I feel the taste of salt and I gotta have air to breathe
That girl she stole my heart and left me in misery

Somebody, somebody will give me water
Why don't you give me water, well

I'm just a simple man and I'm not used to losing love
Somebody help me off this desert, won't you give me water
Now I've heard a many tales about a lonely grounded man
And about him all along you know I'm, I'm living a life that's not the same

Somebody, somebody will give me water
Why don't you just give me water, and I want you, tell them Albert

Just a thought of her you know it drives me all up inside
And I'm numb with pain because I only have tears to taste
The man is all messed up, won't you give me water, water
And I don't know how I can make it, I just can't make a gopher

Somebody, somebody will give me water
Why don't you just give me water and I want you

Water, water, I need some water, hey, water
Need some water, give me water Albert, hey, hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Water" by Pop Staples, Albert King, and Steve Cropper is about a man who is stranded in a desert and is dying of thirst. He pleads for water, which he equates with life, and expresses his sorrow about losing his love. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, conveying the desperation and anguish of the singer. The refrain of "Somebody, somebody will give me water / Why don't you give me water" captures the urgency and immediacy of his predicament.

The song is notable for its bluesy guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and tight rhythm section. It combines elements of blues, soul, and rock, creating a distinctive sound that is both timeless and contemporary. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they suggest themes of love, loss, and survival. The line "Just a thought of her you know it drives me all up inside" reveals the intensity of the man's emotions and his longing for his lost love. The use of water as a metaphor for life underscores the importance of basic human needs and our dependence on the natural environment.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a dying man won't you give me water
Asking for help, acknowledging that he is in a dire situation and needs assistance

My baby took my love and left me on a desert
Feeling abandoned and alone after being left by his lover in an isolated, deserted place

I feel the taste of salt and I gotta have air to breathe
Experiencing extreme physical discomfort and needing basic necessities to survive

That girl she stole my heart and left me in misery
Expressing heartbreak and emotional pain caused by a failed relationship

Somebody, somebody will give me water
Continuing to plead for assistance from anyone who will listen

Why don't you give me water, well
Reiterating the desperate need for help and asking for a specific action to be taken

I'm just a simple man and I'm not used to losing love
Reflecting on personal traits and values that make the situation even more emotionally difficult to handle

Somebody help me off this desert, won't you give me water
Desperately needing rescue and sustenance to survive the harsh desert environment

Now I've heard a many tales about a lonely grounded man
Comparing his own struggles to the hardships of other individuals' stories, likely for comfort or motivation to carry on

And about him all along you know I'm, I'm living a life that's not the same
Feeling disconnected from others and like his life is now vastly different from before

Just a thought of her you know it drives me all up inside
The mere thought of his lost love causes intense emotions and turmoil within him

And I'm numb with pain because I only have tears to taste
Feeling so much emotional pain that he is unable to fully express it and it manifests as physical numbness

The man is all messed up, won't you give me water, water
Acknowledging the dire physical and emotional state he is in and repeating his plea for help and water

And I don't know how I can make it, I just can't make a gopher
Expressing a sense of hopelessness and inability to find a way out of the situation on his own

Water, water, I need some water, hey, water
Repeating his desperate need for water for emphasis

Need some water, give me water Albert, hey, hey
Requesting specifically for the aid of Albert in obtaining water to survive

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AUGUST CINJUN TATE, CEDRIC LEMOYNE, JOE IPPOLITO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS