I've Been Trying
The Blues Busters Lyrics
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Lord knows that I've been tryin'
To understand why
Can I be your only man
You say you love me
So sincere that I believed you loved me
Yet I can't understand why
Day after day
You treat me any old way
I wanna go but my heart says no
You act so strange
But my love still remains
It says keep on tryin' boy
She's gonna change
I've been tryin'
Lord knows that I've been tryin'
To understand why
Can I be your only man
Keep on tryin'
Woooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Keep on tryin'
Woooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Keep on tryin'
Woooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
The Blues Busters's song, "I've Been Trying," is about a man who is struggling to understand why his lover is treating him poorly despite her professed love for him. The lyrics convey the sentiments of a man who is trying to make sense of a confusing and frustrating situation. He is willing to keep trying because he loves her and hopes that she will change her behavior toward him.
The first verse of the song expresses the man's confusion and frustration as he attempts to make sense of his lover's actions. He has been trying to understand why he cannot be her only man, despite her claims to love him. He is desperate to know what he needs to do to secure her affection and loyalty. The second verse reveals the extent of the man's emotional investment in the relationship. He describes how her treatment of him has been inconsistent and hurtful, yet he remains committed to her. His heart tells him to keep trying, even though his mind tells him to walk away.
The chorus is a repetition of the idea that the man has been trying to understand his lover's behavior and to be the only man in her life. The song's message is that love can be confusing and painful, but it is worth fighting for. The Blues Busters encourage listeners to keep trying, even when it seems like the odds are against them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been tryin'
I have been putting in effort and attempting to improve the situation
Lord knows that I've been tryin'
I have been putting in a lot of effort and God is aware of it
To understand why
I am trying to comprehend the reason for our situation
Can I be your only man
I want to be the only person you love and commit yourself to
You say you love me
You have told me that you have feelings of love towards me
So sincere that I believed you loved me
Your expression of love seemed so genuine that I believed you really loved me
Yet I can't understand why
However, I am unable to understand the reason for your actions and feelings
Day after day
Every day, without fail
You treat me any old way
Your behavior towards me is inconsistent and unpredictable
I wanna go but my heart says no
Even though I may want to leave, my emotions and feelings keep me from doing so
You act so strange
Your words and actions are unusual and perplexing
But my love still remains
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, my feelings of love for you remain
It says keep on tryin' boy
My heart is telling me to continue trying to make things work with you
She's gonna change
My heart is optimistic that you will eventually change your behavior and feelings towards me
Keep on tryin'
I need to persist and continue trying to make things work with you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS L MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colleen Henry
My Dad loved them, a cousin knew them personally, he used to play their music and more at parties!! Love the music!!
Ian Simmons
Just found your doctor bird play list. You’ve got some tunes man! I was talking to Chris Peckings about them the other day.
aeon 23
IMHO this is on par with the original, Sadly The Blues Busters don't get the attention they deserve, what a group.
Theres a heap more to add but haven't got round to it yet, Thanx for the support
Ian Simmons
You’ve got more, can’t wait! It’s such a great cover, one of them sounds so like Jerry Butler, I keep finding myself thinking it’s him. Thank for all the great tunes.
Eldon Davis
My Dad (RIP) loved this duo. I just found out a few years ago from my sister's boyfriend that The Impressions originally did this song.
aeon 23
So many Impressions tunes were covered by reggae artists back in the day.
Pat Kelly does a good cut of this, tho my fav is The Blues Busters, your father had great taste
https://youtu.be/WgtOJZH5Qbw
Alana Ali
Beautiful memories of my parents. Thanks daddy you had incredible taste in music. Miss you much. RiP
aeon 23
Haffi agree you, your father had great taste in music. I love my parents but not there music taste :-)
rick steady
<3
moedemama
has there ever been a reggae version of this song?