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.
You And Your Baby Blues
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I beat two times for you
You make it so hard for me, baby
(Sometimes) sometimes
I don't understand
What you really want from me
As long as you love me
Like you love me right now
You can have it
(I know) there's something about you
That just makes me (right now)
Feel good all over
It ain't the color of your hair
It ain't the pretty clothes you wear
It ain't the color of your eyes
But, baby, there's something
More tantalizing
When I picture you in front of me
Just the way it always should be
Nothing but you, you and your baby blues
Did you hear me, baby
Oh, girl, you make my lips feel warm
There's something about you
I can't live without you
Come let me love you
Tell you all about it
Ooh, baby, no one else
Could ever take your place
Picture you in every mirror
That has your face
God knows the world
Should know it's true
My favorite colors are you
And your baby blues, oh
Oh, baby, take off
Everything you choose
But your baby blues
I like it, I like it
I like it, I like it, I like it
Solomon Burke's song "You And Your Baby Blues" seems to be about the lyrical speaker's intense love and dedication to their romantic partner, despite the difficulties and confusion that may arise in their relationship. The singer speaks about beating every heartbeat twice for their partner, indicating the importance and depth of their feelings. The partner appears to be a complex character, and the singer sometimes struggles to understand what they want from the relationship. However, the singer is willing to provide whatever their partner needs as long as their love for each other remains strong.
The singer emphasizes that their love is not based on superficial qualities such as physical appearance, fashion sense, or eye color. Instead, they suggest that their partner possesses an intangible quality that is irresistible and captivating. When the singer imagines their partner in front of them, they feel a rush of positive emotions throughout their body. The singer cherishes their partner deeply, and no one else could ever take their place.
The song concludes with the singer requesting that their partner only leave one thing on while they undress - their "baby blues", or blue-colored eyes. This request seems to underscore how much the singer is attracted to their partner's unique qualities, and how deeply they want to connect with them on a physical level.
Overall, "You And Your Baby Blues" depicts love as a complex, emotional journey that may not always be easy but is ultimately worth it for those who are truly devoted to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
With every heartbeat I beat
Every time my heart beats, it beats twice for you.
You make it so hard for me, baby
Sometimes, I find it difficult to understand what you really want from me.
(Sometimes) sometimes
At times, I don't understand you.
What you really want from me
I find it hard to figure out what you expect from me.
(Sometimes) but whatever it is
But whatever it is that you want from me.
As long as you love me
As long as your love remains the same.
Like you love me right now
Just like you love me at present.
You can have it
I will grant you all that you desire.
(I know) there's something about you
There is something captivating about you.
That just makes me (right now)
That makes me feel good all over at the moment.
Feel good all over
You make my body feel great.
It ain't the color of your hair
Your hair's color doesn't matter to me.
It ain't the pretty clothes you wear
It doesn't matter what clothes you wear.
It ain't the color of your eyes
The color of your eyes isn't important to me.
But, baby, there's something
However, there is something about you that intrigues me.
More tantalizing
It captivates and allures me even more.
When I picture you in front of me
Whenever I visualize you standing before me.
Just the way it always should be
Exactly how we are meant to be.
Nothing but you, you and your baby blues
I can't help but think of you, and your enchanting eyes.
Did you hear me, baby
Do you understand what I'm saying, my love?
Oh, girl, you make my lips feel warm
Your presence makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
There's something about you
You possess qualities that are indescribable but admirable.
I can't live without you
I can't imagine my life without you by my side.
Come let me love you
Allow me to shower you with my feelings of adoration.
Tell you all about it
Let me explain how much you mean to me.
Ooh, baby, no one else
There is nobody else like you.
Could ever take your place
Nobody could replace you in my life.
Picture you in every mirror
Every time I look in the mirror, I envision you by my side.
That has your face
Reflecting back at me through every mirror with your face.
God knows the world
The world should know.
Should know it's true
That this is the truth.
My favorite colors are you
You are my most treasured and loved entity.
And your baby blues, oh
And your enchanting blue eyes.
Oh, baby, take off
Please undress.
Everything you choose
Every piece of clothing you're wearing.
But your baby blues
Except for your enthralling blue eyes.
I like it, I like it
I love how you look.
Writer(s): Solomon Burke, Jerry Styner
Contributed by Elena A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Loïc Ibanez
My favourite song of my favourite singer, LONG LIVE SOLOMON anywhere and beyond !
kenneth davis
I've always felt that if you someone re-makes a record,it should be as good or better than the original ; Solomon did just that on this beautiful song !!!!!!!! Trust me,I've been a Barry White fan since 1972 when everyone thought that he was Issac Hayes !!!!!!!
THE FUNK PUNK
Can't believe it's only 13,000 likes, well I can actually, lol, this is off one of the BEST ALBUMS EVER PRODUCED, and is NOTHING LIKE BARRY WHITE, his backing band has a DIFFERENT KIND OF SOUL to it , and MIDNIGHT AND YOU is PURE GOLD, totally different to the soul of BIG BAD BARRY, this is EASILY IN MY TOP 100 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME, his voice, his style, his SOLOMON BURKE.
I am toni dunbar
Solomon Burks is one helluva man his voice take me off the coast baby blue I can listen to him all day and night he reminds me of big Barry white when he sings I got so much to give
THE FUNK PUNK
The album this is on, is among THEE BEST 10 EVER made, check it OUT.
SINDY LOVE
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL AND CLASSIC HIT LOVE SONG
barbara brown
Very sensual loved it Solomon Burke!
Reginald Jones
Yes this is real soul
miguel boyd
My type of music
D. TIERRA AYERS
GREAT R&B LOVE SONG CLASSIC HIT