You Really Got a Hold on Me
Smokey Robinson and Steven Tyler Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't like you
But I love you
Seems that I'm always
Thinking of you
Though oh, oh, oh,
You treat me badly
I love you madly
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I don't want you,
But I need you
Don't want to kiss you
But I need to
Oh, oh, oh
You do me wrong now
My love is strong now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I love you and, all I want you to do
Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Tighter, tighter

I want to leave you
Don't want to stay here
Don't want to spend
Another day here
Though Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now
I just can't quit now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, squeeze me, hold me, hold me

You've really got a hold on me




I've said you've really got a hold on me
You know you've really got a hold on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Smokey Robinson and Steven Tyler's song "You Really Got A Hold On Me" speak of the all-consuming power of love, even when it comes with pain and heartache. The singer acknowledges their conflicting feelings towards their partner - they don't like the way they are treated, but they can't help loving them. The repetition of the phrase "you've really got a hold on me" emphasizes just how deep this hold is, and how it affects every aspect of the singer's life.


The lyrics also express the singer's desire for physical closeness and emotional intimacy with their partner, despite the turmoil in their relationship. They want to be held tightly, even as they try to break free from the grip of love. The final repetition of the song's title serves as a reminder that, even though the singer may try to resist, their partner's hold on them is unbreakable.


Overall, the lyrics convey a complex mix of emotions that many people can relate to in their own romantic relationships. Despite the pain that love can sometimes bring, it has a power that is impossible to deny.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't like you
I have negative feelings towards you


But I love you
Despite my negative feelings, I have deep affection for you


Seems that I'm always
It appears that I am constantly


Thinking of you
Thoughts of you are often on my mind


Though oh, oh, oh,
However,


You treat me badly
Your actions towards me are hurtful


I love you madly
Despite the hurt, my love for you is intense


You've really got a hold on me
You have a powerful emotional control over me


You've really got a hold on me, baby
This control is especially strong and intimate


I don't want you,
I have a desire to not be with you


But I need you
Despite that desire, I have a deep need for you


Don't want to kiss you
I have an aversion to physical intimacy with you


But I need to
Despite that aversion, I have a strong urge for physical intimacy with you


You do me wrong now
Your current actions towards me are causing harm


My love is strong now
Despite the harm, my love for you has become stronger


I love you and, all I want you to do
My affection for you is so strong that it overwhelms my desires


Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
I crave your physical touch and comforting embrace


Tighter, tighter
Emphasizing the intense need for physical closeness and affection


I want to leave you
I have an intense desire to separate myself from you


Don't want to stay here
I do not wish to remain in our current state of being together


Don't want to spend
I have an aversion to investing time in our current relationship


Another day here
I feel the need for a change in our current dynamic


Though Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now
Despite these desires for separation, there is a strong emotional pull towards staying together


I just can't quit now
This emotional pull is so strong, it is difficult for me to leave


You've really got a hold on me
This emotional pull is a result of your powerful influence over me


You know you've really got a hold on me
This influence and control is evident to both of us




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

BigB

I really like this duet!! Their vocals are amazing paired! They compliment each other so effortlessly and with style and grace! Absolutely beautiful!! Well done

Michael Lynch

I love it when Steven sings with other great artists!

LostHighwayGNR

Fantastic !!
I remember Steven doing this one acapella at the Grammys .

151norma

Love!!! Wish we could see them singing together.

babyboylovesmusic

I never would have expected this collabo. They sound good.

carolf1209

Anything Steven sings adds to the awesomeness

Kisha Higgins

I love this 🔥🔥🔥

jcffan

beautifully done !

Andrea Lovelace

i love this!!!♡♡♡

Luis García

Lo máximo!..

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