Solomon Burke (born March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, died… Read Full Bio ↴Solomon Burke (born March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, died October 10, 2010 at Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands) was a soul music pioneer and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite releasing numerous rnb chart hits in the 1960s, he never had a Top 20 hit on the pop charts. Burke's influence, however, has outstripped his mainstream commercial success. He is considered a legend of American music.

He began his adult life as a young preacher in Philadelphia, where he hosted a gospel radio show. In the 1960s, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music. His first hit was Just Out Of Reach Of My Open Arms, a cover of a country song. Though well-received by both peers and critics, and attaining a few moderate pop and several major R&B hits, Burke never could quite break through into the mainstream as did his contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

Nevertheless, his emotive delivery, polished production, as well as the touches of country and pop sensibility in his music won him admirers and imitators. In 1964 he wrote and recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love his most prominent bid for an enduring soul standard. Covered by the Rolling Stones the same year, other well-known versions include one by Wilson Pickett and another a decade and a half later in the 1980 feature film by The Blues Brothers. Burke's biggest hit was a 1969 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.

His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of the album Don't Give Up On Me, produced by Joe Henry, where he sang songs written specifically for the album by a roster of top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Joe Henry himself.

He is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle singing Turn on Your Love Light and Down in the Valley.

As of October 2002 Burke was the father of 14 daughters and 7 sons with 64 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry, though none as much so as their patriarch.

Burke died, arriving at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where he was supposed to perform with Dutch band De Dijk with whom he recorded an album, entitled Hold on Tight.

Rock icon Mick Jagger performed a tribute to Burke at the 2011 Grammy Awards, laying down Burke's classic hit "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love".

A cover of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love received huge exposure as the music for Amazon's 2019 Christmas commercial.

Aint got you
Solomon Burke Lyrics

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I got fortunes of heaven in diamonds and gold
I got bonds, baby, that the banks can't hold
I got houses 'cross the country, honey
End to end
Everybody I know wants to be my friend
I got riches, baby, any man can see
But there's one thing I ain't got, babe
We both agree i ain't, ain't got you

I got a house full of
Rembrandts and priceless art
Got a little girl wants to tear me apart
When I walk down the street
People stop and stare
Well, they think I might be thrillin', baby
I don't care
I got more good luck than old King Farouk
But there's one thing I ain't got, honey
I ain't got you
I got a diamond sitting, baby
On my big fat wrist
I temptation, honey, that I can't resist
I made a big, bad deal, I won't deny
There's just one thing that I worry
I won't be satisfied

I got pounds of caviar, y'all
Sitting home on ice
I got a fancy car that ride like paradise
I got a hundred pretty women
Knocking on my door
I got folks wanna kiss me
Ain't never kissed me before
I can't pay my bills, I can't understand
Why this woman wants to charge me
For some baby that ain't mine
I don't understand, honey, all?? knew
But there's one thing I
Don't really want, baby, i don't want you

I got diamond watches sitting on my wrist
I been tempted by some women
That I can't resist
I made big, bad deals, honey
I even stole and lied
But there's one thing, baby
When I got you I'm satisfied

All the folks in heaven know it's true
I got diamond's, baby, baby
For no one but you
I got houses 'cross the country
From end to end
Every woman that I know wants
Me to be her friend
I got riches, baby, near and far
If you come to my house, honey
You can just smoke my cigar

I got you, baby
Hey, hey hey I ain't got you
I ain't got you i ain't got
What? What are you doing?
Give me my checkbook back c'mere

Y'all done went home crazy, dear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Solomon Burke's "Ain't Got You" express the wealth and material possessions the singer has accumulated, but ultimately acknowledges that there is one thing he desires above all else, and that is the love and presence of someone special in his life.

The opening lines suggest that the singer has achieved great financial success, with references to fortunes in diamonds and gold, unbreakable bonds, and houses across the country. People around him are envious and want to befriend him due to his wealth. However, despite all the riches and material abundance he possesses, there is still something missing. The chorus repeats the sentiment, emphasizing the agreement between the singer and the person he desires, that he does not have them in his life.

The second verse reveals that the singer also has valuable artwork, but it is juxtaposed with the mention of a little girl who wants to tear him apart. Despite the admiration he receives when walking down the street, he is not concerned with impressing others. He even compares himself to King Farouk, who was known for his wealth and indulgences. Nevertheless, like in the chorus, the singer recognizes that he lacks the one person he truly desires.

The third verse continues to highlight the singer's possessions, such as a diamond on his wrist and the temptation he struggles to resist. He mentions making a bad deal and worrying that it won't bring him satisfaction. Additionally, he has caviar, a fancy car, and plenty of admirers, but there seems to be a disconnect with one woman who wants to charge him for a baby that isn't his.

In the final verse, the singer expresses confusion and frustration over the woman's accusations. He owes money and doesn't understand why she would make such claims against him. The closing lines imply a humorous and lighthearted tone as the singer comments on someone taking his checkbook and states that everyone has gone home crazy.

Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a successful and wealthy man who realizes that material possessions cannot replace the love and companionship of the person he desires.

Line by Line Meaning

I got fortunes of heaven in diamonds and gold
I have immense wealth and treasures beyond imagination

I got bonds, baby, that the banks can't hold
I possess valuable assets that are not constrained by financial institutions

I got houses 'cross the country, honey, End to end
I own numerous properties spanning across the entire country

Everybody I know wants to be my friend
Many people desire to be in my social circle

I got riches, baby, any man can see
It is evident that I am extremely wealthy

But there's one thing I ain't got, babe, We both agree I ain't, ain't got you
Despite all my material possessions, the one thing I lack, and we both acknowledge, is having you

I got a house full of Rembrandts and priceless art
My home is adorned with valuable paintings and artwork, including works by Rembrandt

Got a little girl wants to tear me apart
There's a young woman who desires to disrupt my life and cause me harm

When I walk down the street, People stop and stare
As I stroll along the streets, I attract attention from onlookers who are amazed by my presence

Well, they think I might be thrillin', baby, I don't care
Although people may perceive me as exciting, I remain indifferent to their opinions

I got more good luck than old King Farouk
I am incredibly fortunate, even more so than the famously lucky King Farouk

But there's one thing I ain't got, honey, I ain't got you
Nevertheless, the one thing missing from my life is you, my dear

I got a diamond sitting, baby, On my big fat wrist
Adorning my wrist is a precious diamond, my dear

I temptation, honey, that I can't resist
I find it impossible to resist the allure of certain temptations, darling

I made a big, bad deal, I won't deny
I got involved in a significant and unfortunate business transaction, and I won't hide the truth

There's just one thing that I worry, I won't be satisfied
The only concern I have is that I may not find true satisfaction

I got pounds of caviar, y'all, Sitting home on ice
I have a substantial amount of caviar stored in my residence, waiting to be enjoyed

I got a fancy car that rides like paradise
My luxurious vehicle provides an exquisite driving experience, akin to paradise

I got a hundred pretty women Knocking on my door
Countless attractive women seek my attention and constantly approach me

I got folks wanna kiss me, Ain't never kissed me before
There are individuals who desire to share intimate moments with me, despite never having done so

I can't pay my bills, I can't understand
Despite my wealth, I am struggling to meet my financial obligations, and it perplexes me

Why this woman wants to charge me For some baby that ain't mine
I fail to comprehend why this particular woman demands monetary support for a child that is not biologically mine

I don't understand, honey, all knew
My dear, I am genuinely perplexed by the complexity of human relationships and the situations that unfold

But there's one thing I Don't really want, baby, I don't want you
Ironically, the one thing I do not desire is to have you in my life, my sweet

I got diamond watches sitting on my wrist
I possess luxurious diamond watches adorning my wrist

I been tempted by some women That I can't resist
I have faced irresistible temptations from certain women

I made big, bad deals, honey, I even stole and lied
I have engaged in significant, morally questionable transactions where I resorted to theft and deceit

But there's one thing, baby, When I got you I'm satisfied
Despite my questionable actions, when I have you, my dear, I feel complete and content

All the folks in heaven know it's true
Even the heavenly beings are aware of the undeniable truth

I got diamond's, baby, baby For no one but you
These diamonds, my love, are exclusively meant for you

I got houses 'cross the country From end to end
I possess numerous properties spanning from one end of the country to the other

Every woman that I know wants Me to be her friend
Every woman I am acquainted with desires to have a friendship with me

I got riches, baby, near and far
I have immense wealth, my dear, both close by and afar

If you come to my house, honey You can just smoke my cigar
Should you visit my residence, my love, you are welcome to indulge in my collection of fine cigars

I got you, baby
I have you, my beloved

Hey, hey hey I ain't got you
Hey, hey hey, the one thing I am lacking is you

I ain't got you I ain't got
I don't have you, I don't have

What? What are you doing? Give me my checkbook back c'mere
Wait, what are you doing? Return my checkbook to me right now, come here!

Y'all done went home crazy, dear
You all have left and gone home acting crazy, my dear

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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