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.
Send Me Some Lovin'
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You're a bad little girl, it's true
But I'm not gonna walk out on you
They say you're a good for nothing, girl
But I'll stand up and tell the world
You're good for me
Oh, like a honey is good for the bee
You're good for me
You do two wrongs for every right
You put salt in my coffee just for a spite
You're no good for yourself
You're no good for nobody else
But you're good for me
Oh, you're good for me
Oh, sugar dumpling, can't you see
You're good for me
Let me tell you 'bout it
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, whoa, oh, oh, ooh
I was down on my sickbed
It was the end for me everyone said
Doctor Jones did all he could
Only your love did me some good
You're good for me oh, yes, you are
You're good for me
Like the sugar is good for the tea
You're good for me
That's all I'm living for
'Cause you're good
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, whoa, oh, oh, ooh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, whoa, oh, oh, ooh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The main theme of the song "Send Me Some Lovin'" by Solomon Burke is about a love that is not perfect, but still worth keeping. He sings directly to his girlfriend, acknowledging that she might not be the best person in everyone else's eyes but he sees the good in her. The first verse sets the tone and introduces the listener to the idea that the girl is bad, but the singer won't walk out on her. He is defending her and standing up for her in front of everyone who says that she is good for nothing. He uses repetition in the chorus to emphasize how important she is to him, comparing her to something that is necessary for survival, "like honey is good for the bee."
In the second verse, he acknowledges her faults, highlighting her tendency to do "two wrongs for every right" and put "salt in his coffee" just for spite. He agrees that she isn't good for herself or anyone else, but she's good for him. The bridge of the song starts with a catchy "let me tell you 'bout it" and leads into the story of how she helped him when he was on his deathbed. The doctor couldn't do anything for him, but her love was the only thing that brought him back. The song ends with repetition of the chorus and the repeated sounds of "yeah, yeah, yeah."
Overall, the song is about unconditional love, despite flaws and imperfections. It is a sweet sentiment and a catchy tune that highlights the importance of finding someone who might not be perfect but is perfect for you.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a bad little girl, it's true
Although society may label you negatively, I see you for who you are.
But I'm not gonna walk out on you
Despite any flaws, I will stick with you through it all.
They say you're a good for nothing, girl
Society may view you as worthless, but I see your value.
But I'll stand up and tell the world
I will proudly proclaim your importance to anyone who will listen.
You're good for me, oh yes, you are
In my eyes, you are a positive force in my life.
You're good for me
You make my life better in countless ways.
Oh, like a honey is good for the bee
Your impact on my life is as sweet and necessary as honey is for bees.
You do two wrongs for every right
Despite your flaws, you balance out any negative actions with positive ones.
You put salt in my coffee just for a spite
Sometimes you act out of anger, but I understand and accept you for who you are.
You're no good for yourself
Perhaps you struggle with your own self-worth, but I know your value.
You're no good for nobody else
Others may not appreciate you, but to me, you are invaluable.
But you're good for me
Despite any negativity, you bring positivity into my life.
Oh, sugar dumpling, can't you see
My affection for you is clear, as is your importance in my life.
Let me tell you 'bout it
I want to share with you just how much I appreciate you.
I was down on my sickbed
I was in a very vulnerable state.
It was the end for me everyone said
Others believed I was near death.
Doctor Jones did all he could
Medical intervention had been exhausted.
Only your love did me some good
But your presence and love gave me the strength to keep fighting and eventually recover.
Like the sugar is good for the tea
As necessary as sugar is for tea, I need you in my life.
That's all I'm living for
You are a vital part of my life and everything I do is for you.
'Cause you're good
Your positive impact on my life cannot be denied.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON COVAY, DONALD COVAY, HORACE OTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind