The hit songs "Do It Baby" and Love Machine (written by Billy Griffin & Pete Moore) were performed by Billy Griffin as the lead singer after the departure of original founder member Smokey Robinson.
http://myspace.com/billygriffinthemiracles
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I don't want you, but I need you
Don't want to kiss you, but I need you
Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong nowMy love is strong now you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, 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
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can't quit now
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me, please
Hold me, squeeze, hold me, hold me
You really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me
I said you really got a hold on me
The lyrics of Smokey Robinson's song "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" describe a complex and contradictory relationship. The singer professes both love and dislike for the person they are addressing, saying they don't like them but they love them, they don't want them but they need them. The repeated refrain of "you really got a hold on me" emphasizes the power the other person holds over the singer, even when they mistreat him or her.
The lyrics portray a sense of dependence on the other person, with the singer admitting that they can't quit or leave, even when they want to. However, despite the pain and turmoil in the relationship, the singer still longs to be held, asking to be held tighter and tighter. Ultimately, the song portrays a sense of powerlessness and conflict in a relationship where one person holds a strong emotional grip on the other.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like you, but I love you
I have conflicting feelings towards you, but my love for you overrides my dislike.
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
You are constantly on my mind and I cannot stop thinking about you.
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
Your actions towards me are hurtful and unfair.
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
Despite your mistreatment of me, I am deeply in love with you and feel powerless to resist your hold over me.
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
Your grip on my emotions and my heart is strong and unrelenting.
I don't want you, but I need you
Although I may not desire you, I feel a strong dependence on you and cannot imagine my life without you.
Don't want to kiss you, but I need you
Even physical intimacy with you is not necessarily what I want, but I crave your presence and companionship nonetheless.
Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong now
Your actions towards me are causing me pain and distress.
My love is strong now you really got a hold on me
Despite your wrongdoings, my love for you has only grown stronger, leaving me even more powerless to your grasp.
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me
Although I am heartbroken by your treatment of me, all I crave from you is physical affection and comfort.
Hold me, hold me, hold me
My need for your touch and comfort is so strong that I cannot even articulate it properly.
Tighter
I crave even more intimacy and comfort from you, to the point of needing it to be tighter and more intense.
I want to leave you, don't want to stay here
Although my need for you is strong, I recognize that our relationship may not be healthy or beneficial for me.
Don't want to spend another day here
I dread and fear the thought of remaining in this relationship any longer.
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can't quit now
Although I recognize the problems in our relationship and may want to leave, my love for you is too strong to let go completely.
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
Your grip on me is so strong that, even if I may want to leave or change our relationship, I cannot escape your hold over me.
Hold me, squeeze, hold me, hold me
My need for physical comfort from you is so strong that I am almost begging for it.
You really got a hold on me
Your emotional and physical hold over me is consuming, and I feel powerless to resist it or escape it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnligaya59
I don't like you, but I love you
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I don't want you, but I need you
Don't want to kiss you, but I need you
Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong now
My love is strong now you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, 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
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can't quit now
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me, please
Hold me, squeeze, hold me, hold me
You really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me
I said you really got a hold on me
@blitz6765
Who’s listening to this beautiful classic in 2025 ?
@nancymahoney5442
Me!! Always loved this!!❤
@rich7000
Just danced to it with the better half😊
@cricketbat09
The Beatles brought me here. Thanks, lads.
@Owpwnfowpj1028
I was born in 92 but the only music that really moves my spirit is oldies like these thank the lord for such great musicians 🙏🏼💯
@eliserice8788
Same❤
@forrest1402
Dang! ,your a smart young person! This song is sick!?!! It reminds me of 22 Acacia Avenue by Iron Maiden !😂. The guy love's the girl, but can't admit it!!!
@charlenblasengame6523
Reminds me of the dance called 'The Stroll'! Love my "soldier oldies"! Age 61...62 in Jan 2025!❤❤❤
@tracywilliams7418
You have an old soul, and that’s really cool!
@joolsfactor
One of the greatest songs ever written.