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.
Yes I Do
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come next Sunday
We're getting married
Just you and I
And I can't wait
To hear you promise
That you'll love me
And I wanna hear you say
(Oh, yes, I do
You know I do
I do love you)
I will pledge you
My devotion
Darling, by your side
That's where I'll stay
And I promise to protect you
As we travel on the way
And I just wanna hear you say
(Oh, yes, I do
You know I do
I do love you)
Oh, my darling
I wanted so much
For you to be my wife
And when I walk down the aisle
Seeing all my friends
And family smile at me
I wonder deep down in my heart
Will I ever be worthy of you
And, oh, how I wonder
If you realize that I'm gonna
Dedicate every night and every day
Of my life making you happy
If you ever said those
Precious words to me
(Oh, yes, I do
You know I do
I do love you)
Oh, my love on your finger
I'll place a ring
Making you mine
And we'll vow to one another
Our love will last til
The end of time
And I wanna hear you say
(Oh, yes, I do)
One more time
You know I do
I do love you)
Oh, yes, I do...
The lyrics to Solomon Burke's "Yes I Do" tell the story of a man who is excited to marry the woman he loves. He is looking forward to hearing her promise to love him until the end of time as they exchange vows. He pledges his devotion to her and promises to protect her as they travel through life together. He marvels at the idea of walking down the aisle and seeing his loved ones smile at him but wonders if he will ever be worthy of her. He wants to dedicate every day of his life to making her happy.
Overall, the song is a romantic and heartfelt declaration of love and commitment. The singer is confident in his love for his partner and looks forward to building a life together with her. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, but they convey a deep sentiment of love and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my darling
Addressing the beloved partner with endearment and affection
Come next Sunday
Asking the partner to become wed on the upcoming Sunday
We're getting married
Expressing the act of getting committed to each other officially
Just you and I
Stating that there wouldn't be anyone else in their union
And I can't wait
Clearly stating the excitement and anticipation for the wedding
To hear you promise
Wishing to hear a vow and commitment from the partner
That you'll love me
Affirming the need for love and affection from the partner
Until you die
Stating the need for unconditional love till death
And I wanna hear you say
Emphasizing the need to hear the partner's vow and commitment
(Oh, yes, I do
You know I do
I do love you)
The partner reciprocating the feeling and stating love and commitment
I will pledge you
Assuring to make a commitment
My devotion
Promising loyalty and dedication
Darling, by your side
Wishing to be with the beloved partner forever
That's where I'll stay
Assuring to stick by the partner, come what may
And I promise to protect you
Swearing to keep the partner secured
As we travel on the way
During their journey together, the vow stands intact
Oh, my darling
Reiteration of the address to the beloved partner with endearment and affection
I wanted so much
Longing to marry the partner
For you to be my wife
Desire to have the partner as the life partner
And when I walk down the aisle
Visualizing the wedding ceremony
Seeing all my friends
Noticing the presence of loved ones on the happy occasion
And family smile at me
Receiving blessings and well-wishes from people dear to them
I wonder deep down in my heart
Expressing innermost thoughts and uncertainty
Will I ever be worthy of you
Doubting self-worth concerning the partner
And, oh, how I wonder
Emphasizing the feeling of wonderment
If you realize that I'm gonna
Informing the partner of future plans and promises
Dedicate every night and every day
Taking an oath to spend time making the partner happy
Of my life making you happy
Stating the specific reason for dedicating their life to happiness
If you ever said those
Putting forward a hypothetical scenario
Precious words to me
Expressing the significance of hearing love and commitment from the partner
Oh, my love on your finger
Stating the act of gifting the partner the wedding ring
I'll place a ring
Making an affectionate gesture by placing the ring
Making you mine
Claiming the partner in love and marriage
And we'll vow to one another
Committment to each other
Our love will last til
Stating the longevity of their love
The end of time
Promising to love until eternity
One more time
Asking the partner to affirm their love vow again
(Oh, yes, I do)
Partner reaffirms their love and commitment
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.