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.
Introduction
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So glad to be here in your wonderful city
I have a little message for you
And I want to tell every
Woman and every man tonight
That's ever needed someone to love
That's ever had somebody to love them
That ever had somebody's understanding
Your love all the time
Someone that's with them when they're up
Somebody that's with them when they're down
If you had yourself somebody like this
You better hold onto them
Let me tell you something
Sometimes you get what you want
And you lose what you have
There's a song I sing
And I believe that everybody should sing this
Song you can save the whole world
Listen to me
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody wants somebody to love
Honey to hug sugar to kiss
Baby to miss now baby to tease
Sometimes to please yeah
And I need you you you
And I need you you you
In the morning baby you you you
When the sun goes down you you you
Ain't no nobody around you you you
Whoa Sometimes I feel like
I feel a little sad inside
When my baby mistreats me
And I can't get a little little mad
But I need you you you
Just to see me through
Somebody to hold my hand
When I feel a little lonely oh baby say yeah
I say yeah yeah yeah
Somebody i just want my woman to stand
Up and say I love you
I want someone to be a witness
I just want to say I love you
I just want somebody to say yeah
In the song "Introduction" by Solomon Burke, the lyrics express a sense of gratitude and joy for being present in the moment and performing in a wonderful city. The artist acknowledges the audience and proceeds to deliver a message to both women and men who have experienced the need for love and understanding in their lives. Solomon Burke emphasizes the importance of having someone who loves, understands, and supports them unconditionally, regardless of their ups and downs.
The lyrics convey a sense of appreciation for the presence of such a person in their life. The artist encourages the listener to cherish this connection and hold onto it tightly. Solomon Burke suggests that sometimes we may obtain what we desire but lose sight of what we already have in the process. This sentiment highlights the significance of recognizing and valuing the love that we already possess.
The song then transitions into the chorus, which declares that everybody needs and wants somebody to love. The lyrics express a desire for affection, companionship, and intimacy. The artist yearns for physical closeness, using terms like "hug," "kiss," and "miss." This demonstrates a longing for emotional connection and personal interaction.
Solomon Burke repeats the phrase "And I need you, you, you" throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of someone being there to support and love him. The artist expresses vulnerability, stating that sometimes he feels sad and mistreated, but still requires someone to stand by his side. He desires someone to hold his hand in moments of loneliness, seeking reassurance and comfort.
The song concludes with the artist expressing his yearning for someone to declare their love for him and to be a witness to their relationship. Solomon Burke craves acknowledgement and validation within his romantic connection. The repeated mention of saying "yeah" represents a longing for affirmation and affirmation of love. Overall, the lyrics of "Introduction" convey a message of gratitude for love, the need for emotional support, and a desire for recognition and affirmation within a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so happy to be here tonight
I am filled with joy and gratitude to be present in this moment tonight.
So glad to be here in your wonderful city
I am immensely pleased to be present in this marvelous city.
I have a little message for you
I possess a small but significant message to deliver to you.
And I want to tell every
And I have a strong desire to convey this message to every single
Woman and every man tonight
Woman and man within this gathering tonight.
That's ever needed someone to love
Those who have always yearned for someone to love and care for them.
That's ever had somebody to love them
Those who have experienced the affection and adoration of another person.
That ever had somebody's understanding
Those who have been fortunate enough to have someone who truly understands them.
That's ever had someone to need
Those who have been blessed with someone who relies on and requires their love.
Your love all the time
Continuous and unwavering love and affection from them.
Someone that's with them when they're up
To have a companion who is present during joyful and successful times.
Somebody that's with them when they're down
To have someone by their side during difficult and challenging moments.
If you had yourself somebody like this
In the event that you possess someone like this in your life.
You better hold onto them
You must treasure and hold on to them dearly.
Let me tell you something
Allow me to impart some wisdom to you.
Sometimes you get what you want
Occasionally, you attain the things you desire.
And you lose what you have
Yet, at times, you also lose the things you already possess.
There's a song I sing
There is a particular song I perform.
And I believe that everybody should sing this
And I am convinced that every person should sing along to this song.
Song you can save the whole world
This song possesses the power to rescue and redeem the entire world.
Listen to me
Pay close attention to my words.
Everybody needs somebody
Every individual requires companionship.
Everybody wants somebody to love
Without exception, everyone desires someone to cherish and adore.
Honey to hug sugar to kiss
A sweetheart to embrace and sweet lips to kiss.
Baby to miss now baby to tease
A beloved one to long for and playfully provoke.
Sometimes to please yeah
At times, to bring delight and satisfaction.
And I need you you you
And I yearn for your presence, your essence, and your love.
In the morning baby you you you
From the moment I wake up, darling, I desire you, you, and you.
When the sun goes down you you you
As the sun sets, my longing for you intensifies - you, you, and you.
Ain't no nobody around you you you
When there is no one else nearby, it is only you, you, and you.
Whoa Sometimes I feel like
Oh, there are moments when I experience emotions akin to
I feel a little sad inside
Feeling slightly melancholic deep within my being.
When my baby mistreats me
When my beloved treats me poorly or unkindly.
And I can't get a little little mad
And I am unable to become slightly angry or frustrated.
But I need you you you
Yet, my yearning for you, you, and you persists.
Just to see me through
In order to provide me with the strength and support to overcome hardships.
Somebody to hold my hand
To possess someone who will grasp my hand and provide comfort.
When I feel a little lonely oh baby say yeah
During moments of loneliness, my dear, simply utter 'yeah'.
I say yeah yeah yeah
I exclaim 'yeah, yeah, yeah'
Somebody i just want my woman to stand
I simply desire for my woman to stand beside me.
Up and say I love you
Confidently and proudly proclaiming her love for me.
I want someone to be a witness
I yearn for someone to bear witness to my experiences.
I just want to say I love you
I simply wish to express my affection towards you.
I just want somebody to say yeah
All I desire is for someone to respond with a resounding 'yeah'.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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