In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.
He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.
Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.
In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.
After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.
Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.
In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.
Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.
I Only Have Love
Syl Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only have love for you
At the beginning of our love affair
I promised the moon the sun and I sweared
I'd give you diamonds and roses and wine
But now, girl it's just a fine time
I wasn't born with a silver spoon
Ain't got no bonds and shares and stocks
I don't own no piece of the rocks
I can't give you luxury
All I got to give is me
I only have love for you
I only have love for you
Just walking 'round being bold
I don't know how much love I have stole
I've been around a long time
What I'm doing I don't feel a crime
Steal a little love
Steal a little joy
I never take a girl's heart for a toy
All the things that I say I mean
I can't help it if my pockets are clean
Laugh with me
Cry with me
Believe in me and oh, baby stay with me
You and me loving free
Just the way it's meant to be
Loving you, you're my Sandra Lee
Girl can't you see?
Can't you see?
While the world push and sell
All I'm doing is pushing to good love
I only have love for you
I only have love for you.
In Syl Johnson's song "I Only Have Love for You," the singer is acknowledging that while he may not have material wealth, he has an abundance of love to give to his partner. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, with the repetition of "I only have love for you" emphasizing the depth of his affection. He then reflects back to the start of their relationship, where he made grand promises of diamonds, roses, and wine, but now can only offer himself. Despite not having the physical objects that are ordinarily associated with displays of affection, the singer is steadfast in his love and commitment.
The second verse delves into the nature of his past relationships. He "steal[s] a little love" and "joy," but never sees his partners as mere playthings. He delivers on his promises and genuinely feels the things he says, despite not having much wealth. He invites his current partner to "laugh with me / Cry with me / Believe in me and oh, baby stay with me," showcasing the vulnerability and depth of the relationship. The final lines, "While the world push and sell / All I'm doing is pushing to good love," further emphasize the singer's focus on what truly matters in life, the love he shares with his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I only have love for you
I have no other feelings for you, except love
I only have love for you
I have no other feelings for you, except love
At the beginning of our love affair
The promises of luxury that I made at the start of our relationship were empty grandeur and didn't hold much significance back then.
I promised the moon the sun and I sweared
I promised big things just to show off back then, while swearing that I meant it
I'd give you diamonds and roses and wine
While I was committing to grand promises, I made commitments to give you expensive gifts of diamonds, roses, and wine.
But now, girl it's just a fine time
The promises were short-lived and all I can offer you now is some humble quality time spent together.
I wasn't born with a silver spoon
I was not born with a lot of privilege or financial power
No mansion with thirty-five grooms
I don’t have any huge property or wealth
Ain't got no bonds and shares and stocks
I have little to no investments in the financial market
I don't own no piece of the rocks
I don't own any notable or valuable land
I can't give you luxury
I don't have the resources to provide you with things that are luxurious or expensive
All I got to give is me
All I have is myself to offer you
Just walking 'round being bold
I tend to be forward and confident in my approach toward romance
I don't know how much love I have stole
I might have taken a little bit of love from others that could now be directed toward you.
I've been around a long time
I have been alive for many years and have experienced a lot in life and love.
What I'm doing I don't feel a crime
I have made some romantic decisions in the past that might have been deemed unacceptable by some people, but I don't necessarily see it as a crime.
Steal a little love
I might have taken a little bit of love that was available to me at some point
Steal a little joy
I might have taken a little bit of happiness or joy that was available to me at some point
I never take a girl's heart for a toy
I have never been frivolous with a girl’s emotions or hurt her intentionally
All the things that I say I mean
My words are true, and I stand by them
I can't help it if my pockets are clean
I may not have a lot of wealth, and I cannot change that, but I am still sincere when it comes to you
Laugh with me
I want to share moments of happiness and joy with you
Cry with me
I need you to support me emotionally, and I will support you in return
Believe in me and oh, baby stay with me
I am asking for your belief in me and your unwavering support, which I hope you will give.
You and me loving free
We should be in love without any boundaries or restrictions.
Just the way it's meant to be
This is how love should be, raw and natural without any facades.
Loving you, you're my Sandra Lee
I love you, and I hold you in high regard
Girl can't you see?
I want you to understand why I cherish you to this extent.
While the world push and sell
While many people try to put a monetary value on love
All I'm doing is pushing to good love
I am striving to provide you with pure and real love, with no agendas or selfish motives
I only have love for you
I have no other feelings for you, except love
I only have love for you
I have no other feelings for you, except love
Writer(s): Mabon Hodges, Willie Mitchell, Lawrence Seymour, Earl Randle
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.