Give Up
Ross Diana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
You better listen well
When i tell you
To be on the look out
'Cause i know you inside out
Despite all your hideouts
I'm no great pretender
I'll make you surrender
So come along quietly
Here's a thought to remember
I have not met a man yet
To escape from my drag-net
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
I'll give you just the facts man
And you can draw all your own conclusions
I'll keep your mind surrounded
With chains of love so strong
You can't break through them
My arsenal is stocked
With all kinds of seductive weapons
Although your heart's locked up
My love will assist me
So that you can't resist me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
No, no, no
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
Give up, give up
Give up you're love to me
The lyrics of "Give Up" by Diana Ross can be interpreted as a seductive, even manipulative, plea from one person to another to give up their love and surrender to the singer. The repetition of the phrase "give up you're love to me" emphasizes the singer's desire for the other person to relinquish control and submit to their advances. The singer claims to know the other person inside out and to be able to locate them no matter where they may hide. This suggests a level of obsession or possessiveness, further reinforced by the line "I'll keep your mind surrounded with chains of love so strong, you can't break through them."
The singer also seems to use tactics of persuasion, claiming to have an "arsenal" of seductive weapons and a love that can assist them in making the other person unable to resist. The repeated use of the phrase "give up" could also be interpreted as a command or threat, adding to the sense of coercion in the lyrics.
Overall, the song portrays a rather unhealthy and one-sided relationship dynamic, with the singer attempting to exert control and dominance over the other person. However, the sultry delivery of the lyrics by Diana Ross gives the song a seductive quality that has been resonant with audiences since its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Give up, give up
The singer of the song is telling someone to give up something which they have.
Give up you're love to me
The singer is asking the person to give up their love to the singer.
You better listen well
The singer is giving a warning to the other person to be alert.
When i tell you
The warning given by the artist is important.
To be on the look out
The artist wants the other person to keep watch.
You can't call for help
The singer has left no room for the other person to get help in escaping.
'Cause i know you inside out
The singer knows the other person very well.
Despite all your hideouts
The artist knows all the places where the other person might hide.
I'm no great pretender
The artist is being honest and not pretending to be someone they are not.
I'll make you surrender
The artist is confident in their ability to make the other person surrender.
So come along quietly
The singer is commanding the other person to quietly surrender.
Here's a thought to remember
The artist is giving the other person something to think about and remember.
I have not met a man yet
The singer is boasting about their past success in making men surrender.
To escape from my drag-net
The singer is suggesting that they have a trap or net to catch the other person.
I'll give you just the facts man
The singer is going to be straightforward and honest.
And you can draw all your own conclusions
The artist is giving the other person the freedom to interpret the facts and make their own decisions.
I'll keep your mind surrounded
The artist is going to control the other person's thoughts.
With chains of love so strong
The singer is using love as a tool to control the other person.
You can't break through them
The chains of love are unbreakable and will not allow the other person to escape.
My arsenal is stocked
The artist has a variety of tools or tactics to use against the other person.
With all kinds of seductive weapons
The artist is going to use attractive or alluring tactics to control the other person.
Although your heart's locked up
The other person may be resistant or unwilling to give up their love.
My love will assist me
The singer believes that their love will help them to control and manipulate the other person.
So that you can't resist me
The artist is sure that the other person will not be able to resist them.
No, no, no
This is an exclamation indicating strong disagreement or refusal.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNARD EDWARDS, NILE RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
chama
LYRICS!
give up, give up, give up your love to me (x2)
You better listen well
when I tell you
to be on the lookout
you can't call for help
cause I know you inside out, despite all of your hideouts
I'm no great pretender
I'll make you surrender
so come along quietly
here's a thought to remember
I have not met a man yet to escape from my drag now
give up, give up, give up your love to me (x5)
I'll give you just the facts man
and you can draw, all your own conclusions
I'll keep your mind surrounded
with chains of love so strong you can't break through them
My arsenal is stocked
with all kinds of, seductive weapons
although your hearts locked up
my love will assist me so that you can't resist me
give up, give up, give up your love to me (for rest of song)
Anthony Yusef
This woman had some of the most ICONIC album covers ever!
gmoneyhollywood
Excellent Groove. This is one of Diana's unique jams. The way Rodgers & Edwards collaborated on this arrangement and then to have Diana bring it home, was second to none. Great sound with jazz and upbeat club flair. Only Ross! I must say again, her vocals are sublime on this Joint!
Cryogen2200
@Arthur F. Scaltrito I did too! And have the Chic debut album as well.
Arthur F. Scaltrito
I bought it in 1980.
Lots of good tracks with that "Chic" sound.
Flughafenkaiser
There is no doubt that Diana Ross is timeless in her talent. I remember this song way back in 1981 and loving it more now than even I loved it then. It is a masterpiece. Well done Nile and Diana. Quality meaningful music this is.
jzbass72
What a blazingly great solo by Nile Rodgers, one of his very best.
Brian James
.RIP Bernard Edwards/ Tony Thompson Thanksss RIP
gmoneyhollywood
I agree π―. However, let's not forget about Bernard Edwards. He was a big instrumental part of Chic as well, and worked hand and hand collaborating and arranging the music and the spoken words for their songs and other artist that they wrote for. In fact, Bernard wrote a smash R&B jam called "Telephone" for Ross off the 1984 "Swept Away" LP. It was played in heavy rotation on R&B stations across the country and reached #12 on the R&B Billboard Charts. The extended version of that cut is on point. I thought it was best song recorded on that album.
Rashy
This has to be my favourite Diana song! The bass is so good
Wilford Fraser
One of those songs that get you started in the morning