Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.
As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."
Something About You
The Four Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I could have you to call my very own
I work my fingers to the bone, I would never, never roam
To you I'd always come home
'Cause there's something about you, baby
That makes me keep loving you
There's something about you, baby
Truly love you just a little bit more
Sweet sweet thing, are you satisfied
Sweet sweet thing, you set my soul on fire
I need you, yeah, badly
No matter what price I have to pay
'Cause without your love, I'd worry hard
My life won't mean a thing any old way 'cause
'Cause there's something about you, baby
That makes me keep loving you
There's something about you, baby
Makes me love you just a little bit more
Truly love you just a little bit more
Sweet sweet thing, are you satisfied
Sweet sweet thing, you set my soul on fire
I'm just yours puppet on a string
Tears sometimes you bring
Do me any way you wanna whenever you wanna
I'll keep loving you just the same
'Cause there's something about you, baby
That makes me keep loving you
There's something about you, baby
Makes me love you just a little bit more
Truly love you just a little bit more
Sweet sweet thing, are you satisfied
Sweet sweet thing, you set my soul on fire
You're a real humdinger
You were never in disguise
You're a real heartbreaker
That shakes me all up inside
The Four Tops' song "Something About You" is a love song wherein the singer professes his undying love for someone who he finds very special. The song begins with the singer stating that he works himself tirelessly just to be with his loved one. He also promises to always come home to her and never roam because of the love he has for her. The line "To you, I'd always come home" implies a sense of duty and commitment towards his loved one, and that he would do anything just to be with her.
The singer then goes on to state that there is "something about you, baby" that makes him keep loving her, and he loves her just a little bit more because of it. He expresses that he needs her badly, and no matter what the price or the cost, he will always love her. The line "I'd worry hard, my life won't mean a thing any old way" suggests that without her, he would be lost and his life would be meaningless. The repetition of the lines "makes me love you just a little bit more, truly love you just a little bit more" emphasizes the singer's deep, unbridled love for his significant other.
The bridge of the song speaks about the singer being completely in love with his significant other to the point where he is a "puppet on a string", ready to do anything to keep her happy. The lyrics "Do me any way you wanna whenever you wanna; I'll keep loving you just the same" suggest that he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their love alive, even if it means that he has to sacrifice his own will to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlin' darlin'
The singer affectionately addresses their partner.
If I could have you to call my very own
The singer wishes to exclusively have their partner's love.
I work my fingers to the bone, I would never, never roam
The singer promises to work hard and remain faithful to their partner.
To you I'd always come home
The singer states that they would always return to their partner's waiting embrace.
'Cause there's something about you, baby
The singer acknowledges that they are inexplicably drawn to their partner.
That makes me keep loving you
The singer reveals that the mysterious quality their partner possesses keeps them feeling devoted.
There's something about you, baby
The singer reiterates the idea that their partner is special in a way that they cannot explain.
Makes me love you just a little bit more
The singer expresses that this quality only strengthens their love.
Truly love you just a little bit more
The singer emphasizes that this is a genuine, deepening love.
Sweet sweet thing, are you satisfied
The singer checks in with their partner to ensure their happiness.
Sweet sweet thing, you set my soul on fire
The singer declares that their partner ignites a passionate flame within them.
I need you, yeah, badly
The singer admits to a strong desire for their partner's presence.
No matter what price I have to pay
The singer is willing to make sacrifices to keep their relationship intact.
'Cause without your love, I'd worry hard
The singer imagines a sad, anxious life without their partner's love.
My life won't mean a thing any old way 'cause
The singer suggests that life would be meaningless without their partner.
I'm just yours puppet on a string
The singer describes feeling completely under their partner's control.
Tears sometimes you bring
The singer admits that their partner's actions can cause them emotional pain.
Do me any way you wanna whenever you wanna
The singer expresses willingness to comply with their partner's desires at all times.
I'll keep loving you just the same
The singer declares that they will continue to love their partner regardless of any hardships.
You're a real humdinger
The singer compliments their partner by calling them outstanding and impressive.
You were never in disguise
The singer acknowledges that their partner has always been genuine and true to themselves.
You're a real heartbreaker
The singer notes that their partner has the power to make hearts ache with their actions and words.
That shakes me all up inside
The singer reveals that their partner's influence on them is profound, causing them to feel shaken and moved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sharon mary beech
Love this song so much never get tired of hearing it. Levi Stubbs absolute legend. Love anything from The Four Tops What a sound Legendary ❤❤❤❤❤
JG Money
57 years and it’s still 🔥🔥🔥
Dave Sigmon
One of my two favorite Four Tops songs and they had plenty of great ones. The funky guitar work and that saxophone nail it for me. Then, of course, there's Levi and those luscious harmonies of Duke, Obie and Lawrence.
SouLoveReal _
And the Andantes (those high voices are female vocals). In 1965, the lineup was Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow,
and Louvain Demps. They sang backups on just about ALL of the 1960s Four Tops songs.
Mc Daniels
Makes me think the Tops were the top of Motowns talent. And THAT is saying a lot.
Lee Roberts
@SouLoveReal _ The Andantes backed, therefore 'had' more hit no1's to date, including ANY other genre....KTF
Lee Roberts
@Mc Daniels I love the Four Tops, but Sister Ann of the Marvellettes can really sing too. Gospel singer, I believe.
Chris Dimitroff
I dig the tops but the Temps are my favorite.
Donald Hartsfield
I always loved this song and still do! I was always shocked it wasn’t a bigger hit! The beat is incredible! Hard to keep still!!
Yukimi Kasaki
Volume up for the Beatles of Motown.