Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 Ju… Read Full Bio ↴Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 July 1936; died 6 February 2022 ) was an American blues and soul singer and music producer. His most successful records included "Different Strokes" (1967), "Is It Because I'm Black" (1969) and "Take Me to the River" (1975). "Different Strokes" has been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.

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.

Please Don't Give Up On Me
Syl Johnson Lyrics

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Please don't give up on me, baby
Please don't give up on me, baby
Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

I know I haven't been what a man should be
You've got every reason to wanna leave me
It's been hard on you, girl, livin' with me, I know

But don't leave me now, don't take away my home

Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

There just ain't no excuses for the things I did
I even disrespected you in front of our kids
I know I've got no right to ask you to stay
You are the only one who can help me get myself straight

Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

I know you're at a point where you can't take no more
Any woman would've left me long ago
But if there's any chance of we makin' it through
I need a strong woman like you

Please don't give up on me, baby
Please don't give up on me, baby
Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

Please don't give up on me
Please don't give up on me

Overall Meaning

The song "Please Don't Give Up On Me" by Syl Johnson is a heartfelt plea from a man to his partner not to give up on their relationship. The lyrics express the man's remorse for his past mistakes, acknowledging that he hasn't been the man he should be, and admitting that there are no excuses for his actions. He acknowledges that his behavior has been hard on his partner, but he implores her to not leave him, as she is the only one who can help him get himself straight.

The repeated chorus of "Please don't give up on me, baby" is a desperate plea from the man to his partner, recognizing that any woman would have left him long ago. The lyrics express the man's appreciation for his partner's strength and resilience in sticking with him through his mistakes. The song's emotional intensity is conveyed through Syl Johnson's soulful vocal performance and the blues-tinged musical arrangement.

The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship that has experienced difficult times. The lyrics capture the desperation and fear of losing someone who has been there through thick and thin. The song is a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always a chance for redemption and reconciliation.

Line by Line Meaning

Please don't give up on me, baby
The singer is pleading with his partner not to end their relationship.

Please don't give up on me
The singer is repeatedly asking his partner not to give up on him.

I know I haven't been what a man should be
The singer is admitting to his faults and acknowledging that he has not been a good partner.

You've got every reason to wanna leave me
The singer understands that his partner may want to leave him due to his actions.

It's been hard on you, girl, livin' with me, I know
The singer acknowledges that his behavior has made it difficult for his partner to be with him.

But don't leave me now, don't take away my home
The singer is begging his partner not to end their relationship and take away his sense of home and security.

There just ain't no excuses for the things I did
The singer admits that he has no justification or excuses for the things he has done wrong.

I even disrespected you in front of our kids
The singer acknowledges that he has been disrespectful to his partner, even in front of their children.

I know I've got no right to ask you to stay
The singer understands that he has no entitlement to ask his partner to stay with him despite his wrongdoings.

You are the only one who can help me get myself straight
The singer acknowledges that his partner is the only one who can help him change his ways and improve himself.

I know you're at a point where you can't take no more
The singer understands that his partner has reached a breaking point and may not be able to put up with his behavior anymore.

Any woman would've left me long ago
The singer acknowledges that any other woman in his partner's position would have already left him.

But if there's any chance of we makin' it through
The singer is hopeful that their relationship still has a chance of overcoming his mistakes.

I need a strong woman like you
The singer recognizes that he needs a strong partner like his current one to help him make positive changes and improve their relationship.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BETTIE L. JARRETT, EARL RANDLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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