I'm The One You Need
The Jackson 5 Lyrics


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Now you say... everytime you need some affection
The one you love goes in another direction
You just sit back in a daze reunising
'cause you know some other lips, she's been kissing

Now when you need the love you never saw you come 'round here
And when you need some loving arms to hold you come 'round here
Now I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But I know, I'm the one you need (honey, honey)
Say now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But, I know, I'm the one you need (honey, honey)

Your life stands still the minute he goes
You count the hours just hoping he shows

Girl, can't you see while you're looking for his touch (honey, honey)
That I won't want to love you so much (honey, honey)
And while you're looking for kissing friends (honey, honey)
You're lovely with the tears on your face (honey, honey)

Now when you feel the need to cry to someone cry to me
And when you feel the need to lean on someone lean on me
Now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)
Now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)

Now, the day, the days, the days you sit round by yourself
He's out fooling round with somebody else
Leaving you alone here with nothing to do
He's just waiting till he has time for you

Now, when the loveliness gets hard to play, girl come 'round here
And when you need a little chicken lover care, girl come 'round here

Now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But, I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)
Now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
But, I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)





[ repeat and fade out ]

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm the One You Need", sung by The Jackson 5, is about a man who is in love with a woman who is constantly mistreated by her current lover. The woman's lover goes off with other women, leaving her alone and miserable. The man who sings the song is in love with the woman and wants to be there for her, even though she may not believe he is what she wants. He sings about how he knows he is the one she needs, and he is desperately trying to show her that he can love her better than her current lover.


Throughout the song, the man tries to convince the woman that he can be the one to make her happy. He tells her that he understands how she feels and that he is here for her when she needs him. He begs her to cry on his shoulder and to lean on him when she is feeling down. He tries to show her that he loves her and that he can be the one she needs, even though she may not see it at the moment.


In summary, the song is about unrequited love and the desire to be there for someone who is going through a rough time in a relationship. The man who sings the song knows that he may not be the woman's first choice, but he believes that he is the best choice for her and wants to prove it to her.


Line by Line Meaning

Now you say... everytime you need some affection
You express that you require love and attention often


The one you love goes in another direction
However, the person you care for has feelings for someone else


You just sit back in a daze reunising
You feel lost and unsure about what to do next


'cause you know some other lips, she's been kissing
You suspect that they are with someone else


Now when you need the love you never saw you come 'round here
Whenever you require the affection and care that he doesn't offer you, you come to me


And when you need some loving arms to hold you come 'round here
You seek comfort and embrace from me when he's not around


Now I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
I might not be the favored choice for you


But I know, I'm the one you need (honey, honey)
But I'm sure I am the person who can provide for your emotional needs


Your life stands still the minute he goes
Your world appears to stop when he leaves


You count the hours just hoping he shows
You wait anxiously, counting each hour until his return


Girl, can't you see while you're looking for his touch (honey, honey)
Can't you notice that you're searching for something special he doesn't offer?


That I won't want to love you so much (honey, honey)
That I can give you the affection you deserve so much.


And while you're looking for kissing friends (honey, honey)
When you search for someone else to kiss


You're lovely with the tears on your face (honey, honey)
But you remain beautiful, even with tears on your face.


Now when you feel the need to cry to someone cry to me
When you need a shoulder to cry on, come to me


And when you feel the need to lean on someone lean on me
When you need someone to rely on or for support, lean on me


But I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)
I'm not the right person for you


Now, the day, the days, the days you sit round by yourself
On days when you're feeling alone


He's out fooling round with somebody else
He's spending time with someone else, maybe cheating on you


Leaving you alone here with nothing to do
Leaving you with nothing to occupy your time


He's just waiting till he has time for you
He's merely biding his time until he can give you some of his attention.


Now, I may not be the one you want (honey, honey)
I'm not the person you prefer


But, I'm sure not the one you need (honey, honey)
But I am definite that I can provide you what you require




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Samurai

The eyes of love will watch you
As you go from day to day
The hands of love will catch you
When you fall along the way
My arms will hold and be with you
Your whole life through
'Cause I am love
And I'm in love with you
I find myself in wonder
Of why I've been misused
When love brings understanding
How can it be confused
(War and poverty wasn't meant to be)
Hate is drivin' me away
'Cause I am love
And I'd love to stay
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong
Come back lover, come back
This is where you belong, come back lover come back
Come on back, oh yeah
Please, this is where you belong
I am love
Sprinkle myself around you
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I'm the answer to the question
My key unlocks your heart
I'm your friend and your lover
Your sister and your brother
Let me in your mind
(Let's get together)
You're runnin' out of time
(Let's get together)
Your wish is my command
(Let's get together)
People take my hand
(Let's get together)
(Love, love, love, love)
(Let's get together, let's get together)
I am love
Sprinkle myself around you
I am love
Shower my warmth upon you
I am love, la la la la
I am love, la la la la



All comments from YouTube:

Greg Lites

THE most underrated J5 song , here's why: In the 70s, radio stations would not play songs over 4 minutes in length, so I Am Love (being 7 minutes) got zero airplay. Clearly though, this is one of J5's best recordings ever.

b.r. ross

WLS in Chicago played this song quite a lot (an edited version) but it was still longer than the traditional “three minute” songs. It made it high on their charts back in April/May of 1975.

David Mcpherson

PREACH TRUTH bro!"""" Best Male Vocal group of ALL TIME.""""""" (Temptations runner up) MJ had the most Profound and gifted voice of ANYONE. nuff"" said, go listen to 'em. 😉😇

55 pack400

@b.r. ross agreed!!! I grew up on WLS and this song got quite a bit of airplay @ spring break 1975.
WLS edited out some of the instrumental break between the "Jermaine" and "Michael" parts...it was at least five minutes long

55 pack400

The 45 RPM single is parts one ,( side A,) and two ( side B).... part one fades out and part two fades in at the "come back lover come back" chorus

Al Villa

I agree

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Richard Johnson

This song is incredible. I remember buying the 45 years ago. Even though I was a Beatles fan and a rock and jazz guy in general, this song just blew me away. Still does.

thejazzman210

Very underrated song. This is actually one of the best J5 songs ever recorded.

Ray Gillman

The beginning segment is good because it's not MJ. The middle segment is fine. The ending sequence sounds like the action music to the Dukes of Hazard where the Sheriff is chasing those pesky outlaws. Bleh.

Cue

This was (and still is) musically one of their best cuts - the electric piano, the drums and Tito’s solo work made it outstanding. My memory is Don Cornelius introducing this at the half way point on Soul Train and everybody turned up - it would have been something seeing them do this on the show!

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