Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.

He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.

I Need Your Loving
Taj Mahal Lyrics

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I need your love every day
I need it every hour
Come on and set my little soul on fire
I say I need love, love, love, love
Need your lovin', babe, I need it every day
Come on and give it to me every hour
I want you to set my little soul on fire
Say I need love, love, love, love

I need your lovin', baby
Hear what I say, need it every day
Need it every hour
Set my little soul on fire

Now everybody needs somebody sometime

Need it every day, I wanna say it to you
Just a little bit louder
Tell you just hear what I say
I say, I need love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Taj Mahal's "I Need Your Loving" carry a simple yet powerful message, where the singer expresses his insatiable need for love and attention from his significant other. From the very first line, he stresses how he needs this love every day, hour, and minute. The repeated use of the phrase "set my little soul on fire" is a clear indication of how much he yearns for his partner's affection. He emphasizes the need for "love, love, love," highlighting how he desires an abundance of it.

The second verse brings in a sense of vulnerability and desperation from the singer's side, where he explicitly asks for his partner's love every day and every hour. He wants them to hear him and fulfill his desires. Towards the end of the song, Taj Mahal reiterates the importance of love and affection. He emphasizes that everyone needs somebody sometime and asks for just a bit more love, a bit louder, as a sign of its significance.

Overall, the lyrics of the song are simple but convey an explicit message of the need for love and affection in relationships. Taj Mahal's voice and music complement the lyrics beautifully and make it a memorable piece of music.

Line by Line Meaning

I need your love every day
I require your love on a regular basis

I need it every hour
I need your love constantly

Come on and set my little soul on fire
Please ignite my heart with passion

I say I need love, love, love, love
I am expressing the depth of my longing for love

Need your lovin', babe, I need it every day
I cannot live without your affection, I need it daily

Come on and give it to me every hour
I am requesting your love constantly

I want you to set my little soul on fire
I desire you to ignite my innermost passion

Say I need love, love, love, love
I am emphasizing my need for love

I need your lovin', baby
I long for your affection, my sweetheart

Hear what I say, need it every day
Please listen to my words, I require your love daily

Need it every hour
I cannot live without your love every single hour