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.
Hold On
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cry like a baby
Living without you is driving me crazy
I cry like a baby
Well, I know now, that you're not a plaything
Not a toy, or a puppet on a string
As I look back on a love so sweet
Oh, every road is a lonely street
I cry like a baby
I know now that you're not a plaything
Not a toy, or a puppet on a string
Today we passed on the street, and you just walked on by
how my heart just fell to my feet
and like a fool I began to cry
Oh when I think about the good love you gave me
I cry like a baby
Living without you is driving me crazy
I cry like a baby
I know now,that you're not a plaything
I cry like a baby, cry like a baby
Every road is a lonely street
I cry like a baby, cry like a baby
Living without you is driving me crazy
I cry like a baby, cry like a baby
I cry, I cry, I cry
Solomon Burke's song "Hold On I'm Coming" is a classic soul anthem about the pain of heartbreak and the longing for a lost love. The lyrics describe the intense emotions that come with missing someone deeply, and the overwhelming feeling of solitude that can come with the absence of that person. The opening lines, "When I think about the good love you gave me, I cry like a baby," reveal the depth of the singer's despair as he reflects on the memories of his lost love. The subsequent lines, "Living without you is driving me crazy, I cry like a baby," further emphasize the intensity of his emotions and the overwhelming sense of loss that he feels.
The song's chorus emphasizes the singer's realization that his lost love was not just a plaything, but someone who he loved deeply and who meant a lot to him. This realization creates a powerful sense of regret and longing that is evident throughout the song's lyrics. The chorus, "Every road is a lonely street, I cry like a baby," expresses the deep sense of loneliness that the singer experiences as he tries to come to terms with the loss of his love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think about the good love you gave me
Remembering the love that was shared with me makes me emotional.
I cry like a baby
I'm feeling so overwhelmed with emotion that I'm crying uncontrollably.
Living without you is driving me crazy
Being without you is causing me to feel mentally unstable.
I know now, that you're not a plaything
I understand now that you are not an object to be played with or controlled.
Not a toy, or a puppet on a string
You are not someone who can be manipulated by others.
As I look back on a love so sweet
Reflecting on the past relationship that was filled with love.
Oh, every road is a lonely street
Now, every path I take is filled with loneliness.
Today we passed on the street, and you just walked on by
We saw each other today but you ignored me and kept walking.
how my heart just fell to my feet
This made me devastated and heartbroken.
and like a fool I began to cry
I felt foolish for crying but I couldn't control my emotions.
Every road is a lonely street
Every path without you only brings solitude and despair.
I cry, I cry, I cry
The emotions I feel are so strong that I can't help but cry.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN PENN, SPOONER OLDHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertrooij4927
Hold on tight (lyrics)
When you don’t know what to do
And your mind is getting dark
And the fire that was burning
Has been reduced to just a spark
Every time things get hard
And you’re worried right down to the bone
Carry on with what you know
You’re not alone
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight with all your might
And don’t let go
When you don’t know what to do
And your heart seems to skip a beat
When you don’t know which way to move
And the heat starts to burn your feet
Don’t leave me here by myself
I can’t make it on my own
What would I do without you
We’re not alone
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
And don’t let go
No matter how hard the times
We have to carry on
When you don’t know what to do
You’re not alone
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight with all your might
And don’t let go
@user-xn9ch6lw4f
Thanks for the De Dijk. Much 🎶❣️ from.Solomon Burke Jr.
@michelcouzijn5862
Plus één momentje aandacht voor onze eigen Huub vd Lubbe, die - als zanger en gezicht van De Dijk - het respect opbracht voor legende Solomon Burke om zichzelf hier vocaal op de achtergrond te houden. Het is niet ongemerkt gebleven, Huub. Dit stapje opzij siert je.
@hermienjonkers6912
Ja,dat is klasse 👍
@suus2punt0
Jammer dat hij nu gestopt is, ben nog wel naar het laaste concert geweest
@roxaneauer360
Holy crap is this beautiful human the answer to a sad day. Love you my friend I've never met!
@0otee
Grand man…🌺🎶🌺
@RS-vu3df
Magistraal, ja van magistre, meesterlijk dus. En mooi te horen en helemaal te begrijpen dat dit er z'on beetje in 1 keer opstond. Fijn om jullie zoveel plezier te zien hebben.
@snorksnork9706
Als ik het even niet zie zitten..
@allenlashleysr
Such a good song from an amazing man, this is the first I have heard of De Dijk, they are good as well. Rest In Peace Mr. Burke you will not be forgotten.
@sijeronner8481
Meest ondergewardeerde nummer ooit