Recorded on March 15, 1963, the song which was written and recorded originally by Wilson Pickett for Lloyd Price's Detroit-based Double L Records, which had been rejected by Wexler, but who had purchased the publishing rights. According to Burke, Pickett gave the song to him on a tour bus: "Wilson sang the song for me in a bus on a tour. I loved it so much that I got Wilson to do it. Atlantic refused to sign him at that time, so we got Wilson to release the song on the Lloyd-Logan label. We were the best of friends. As a matter of fact, I promoted his record and he promoted mine." However, Pickett claims Wexler lifted it from demo tapes he had sent Atlantic. Burke recalled in 2003: "I was furious when Wexler rejected Pickett", and "when radio personality the Magnificent Montague started spinning Pickett’s original version, Wexler rushed out Burke’s, with both in Billboard's "Singles Review" column on April 13. and both featured on Billboard's "Artists' Biographies" on May 4, 1963. Although Burke ultimately won the chart war, Burke broke rank and supported his rival: “I would go to the radio stations and say, ‘Hi, I’m Solomon Burke, and I’m here promoting the new record “If You Need Me”…by Wilson Pickett.’”
Despite his efforts, Burke's version jockeyed with Pickett's for position in the Hot 100, before "beating Pickett to the punch" because of "Solomon’s popularity and Atlantic’s distribution." Both versions had Cissy Houston singing backup vocals. Despite his anger, in 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic because he needed the "bread." While Burke's version spent 5 weeks at #2 in the R&B charts in the American summer of 1963, kept from the number one position by Jackie Wilson's "Baby Workout" and Sam Cooke's "Another Saturday Night", Pickett's original stalled at #64 in the Pop charts and #30 on the R&B chart. "If You Need Me" was "the first of several great preaching scorchers": "Can’t Nobody Love You", "You’re Good For Me", and "Goodbye Baby, Baby Goodbye", which were all arranged by Gary Sherman, the man behind many Garnet Mimms hits."
If You Need Me
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said if you need me, all ya gotta do is call me
Don't wait too lo-o-ong if things go wrong
I-I-I'll be home, whoa-oh-oh, home
If you want me, send for me
I said if you want me, want, all ya gotta do is send for me
Don't wait too lo-o-ong, just-a pick up your phone
People always said, darlin', that I didn't mean you no good. And you
would need me someday. Way deep down in my heart I know I've done the best I
could. That's why I know that one of these days, it won't be long, you'll come
walkin' through that same door (I'll hurry home). And I can imagine in my mind
that these are the words that you'll be sayin'.
I still love you, always thinkin' of you
And I still love, love, always thinkin' of you
Don't wait too lo-o-ong, just-a pick up your phone
And I-I-I'll hurry home (I'll hurry home)
Right there, where I belong
Solomon Burke's "If You Need Me" is a soulful ballad about loyalty and commitment in relationships. Solomon reassures his significant other that he will always be there for them regardless of the situation. The lyrics are heartfelt and reassuring as he promises to always be there, saying that all his partner needs to do is call him, and he'll come rushing home, where he has always belonged. Solomon's voice and the music are emotive and sentimental, reflecting the yearning of lovers separated by distance or circumstances.
The chorus, "If you need me, I wantcha to call me," expresses Solomon's willingness to be always available for his beloved partner. He is making a promise to be there in times of trouble or challenge, and he wants his lover to know that they can rely on him. He emphasizes that if they wait too long, it may be too late, and he may not be able to help. So he wants his partner to reach out to him, to let him know when they need him.
In the second verse, Solomon reflects on the doubts and criticism he has faced from others about his commitment to his lover. However, he knows deep down in his heart that he loves his partner and has done the best he can. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the message further. The song ends on a hopeful note, with Solomon imagining his lover walking through the door and professing their love for him, just as he has been doing throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
If you need me, I wantcha to call me
If you ever need my assistance, just give me a call and I will be there for you
Said if you need me, all ya gotta do is call me
I repeat, if you need me for any reason, simply call me and I will come to help you
Don't wait too lo-o-ong if things go wrong
In case there is a problem, please do not take too much time before contacting me
I-I-I'll be home, whoa-oh-oh, home
As soon as you contact me, I will return home to assist you
If you want me, send for me
If you ever need me in your life, send a message and I'll be there
I said if you want me, want, all ya gotta do is send for me
I repeat, just send a message requesting my presence and I'll come immediately
Don't wait too lo-o-ong, just-a pick up your phone
Please do not wait too long before notifying me, just pick up your phone and call me
And I-I-I'll (hurry home where I belong)
Once you have requested my presence, I will quickly return home where I belong
People always said, darlin', that I didn't mean you no good.
Many people often claimed that I was not good enough for you, my dear
And you would need me someday.
However, they claimed that someday you will need me in your life
Way deep down in my heart I know I've done the best I could.
Although people doubted my love for you, deep in my heart, I always knew that I did my best to love and care for you
That's why I know that one of these days, it won't be long, you'll come walkin' through that same door (I'll hurry home).
For that reason, I have faith that someday soon you'll come back to me and when you do, I'll rush to be by your side
And I can imagine in my mind that these are the words that you'll be sayin'.
I can envision in my thoughts that these are the lines you'll utter when you return to me
I still love you, always thinkin' of you
Until then, please know that my love for you remains the same, and you are constantly on my mind
And I still love, love, always thinkin' of you
My love for you is unfading, and you are always in my thoughts
Right there, where I belong
The only place I want to be is right by your side, where I truly belong
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBERT BATEMAN, SONNY SANDERS, WILSON PICKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1963 {May 26th} "If You Need Me" by Solomon Burke peaked at #2* {for five weeks} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
It reached #37 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1961 and 1978 the Philadelphia native had thirty-one records on the Hot R&B Singles chart, nine made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Got To Get You Off My Mind", for three non-consecutive weeks on March 28th, 1965...
Mr. Burke, born James Solomon McDonald, passed away at the age of 70 on October 10th, 2010...
May he R.I.P.
* Three different artists kept "If You Need Me" out of the top spot, the first week it was Jimmy Soul's "If You Wanna Be Happy", the second week it was Sam Cooke with "Another Saturday Night", and for it's final three weeks at #2 it was Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" that held the #1 position...
He had one other record peak at #2, "Tonight's The Night", for three weeks in June of 1965...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the Hot R&B Singles Top 10 on May 26th, 1963:
At #1. "If You Wanna Be Happy" by Jimmy Soul
#2. the above "If You Need Me"
#3. "The Love of My Man" by Theola Kilgore
#4. "I Will follow Him" by Little Peggy March {The previous week's #1 record}
#5. "Another Saturday Night" by Sam Cooke
#6. "Baby Workout" by Jackie Wilson
#7. "Take These Chains From My Heart" by Ray Charles
#8. "Prisoner of Love" by James Brown & the Famous Flames
#9. "Foolish Little Girl" by The Shirelles
#10. "Pushover" by Etta James
@andrewr7010
This tune is unreal. So so good. What a voice.
@pettsonse
It don't get no better than this. Reverend King Solomon. May he rest in soul.
@merlinmediagroup
No one sings this quite like Solomon! His voice sounds so young here, it's incredible!
@faulknerma
Classic. They dont make em like this anymore. Melts your soul. Bom bom . . .
@patriciapierre878
Oh I cannot explain those deep and soulful feelings. This song is one to ponder on as one listens to the lyrics. As ever before, my hat goes out to Solomon Burke. Do keep the good work up.
@mitzigordon
He was my next door neighbor growing up and forever a great and dear friend of my family. He was from a wonderful Christian family of ministers. His uncle preached at my cousin's funeral and his mother was a truly dynamic, powerful preacher of the gospel. We were blessed to have had them all in our lives.
@MrDorbel
@Marko Blanko Dear me marko, not very nice!
@ianadams2023
HalleluYah Beautiful
@zackerylee9393
Your words just comforted me friend
@anniemitchell1580
@Ian Adams use to love this song when I was n nursing school in good Ole Burkeville