The group consisted of sisters Brenda, Valorie and Shirley Jones. They served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, and Le Pamplemousse. They worked with Diana Ross from 1975–78 and were the backup singers on Linda Clifford's 1978 album If My Friends Could See Me Now and on Tower of Power's lowly rated 1979 album Back on the Streets.
Their biggest hit was "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else". The song broke the Billboard Magazine Top 40 at #38 in May 1979. The song was also a Top 5 R&B hit. It became a gold record.
An additional hit followed in 1980, with the single "I Just Love The Man", charting at #9 in January 1981. The less successful "Nights Over Egypt" (released in 1981, charting at R&B #23 in 1982 and written by Dexter Wansel), is currently a cult classic that receives more airplay on urban radio stations than their previous bigger hits.
After the release and failure of their fourth U.S. album, On Target, lead singer Shirley Jones pursued a solo career and had a #1 R&B hit on Billboard with "Do You Get Enough Love", from her top-ten debut album Always in the Mood (1986). "Do You Get Enough Love" was written by Bunny Sigler who also produced it with Kenny Gamble. In 2007, Shirley released an album Ladies Night Out together with Jean Carn and Cherrelle, on CD and DVD.
"Who Can I Run To", from the band's self-titled 1979 debut album, was covered by Xscape in 1995. Their cover version became a number #1 R&B and #8 Pop hit. The original version was the B-side of "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else".
Valorie Jones died on December 2, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 45. Lead singer Shirley Jones continues to perform successfully as The Jones Girls with two of her nieces and a nephew on background vocals.
Brenda Jones eventually moved to Atlanta, where she sang frequently with her four-piece band, performing both Jazz and R&B numbers, including many Jones Girls' tunes. She later moved to New York after her children were grown, to have a more active performing and recording schedule. On April 4, 2017 Brenda died.
You Made Me Love You
The Jones Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you keep on treating me the way you do
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
I aint did nothing to you
I just love you with my heart, heart and soul
Every time I need some lovin'
Now I ain't dumb, and I ain't stupid
I know you need love, need love like I do
'Cause if you aint loving me,
I wanna know who in the world you loving
Tell me if you don't want me around
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
I don't wanna do it, I don't wanna do it
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
I don't say nothing to you
When you stay out, stay out all night long
I know you got to make money
But bring your loving home, bring it home
Now what's out there in the street
That's taking up, taking up all of your time
'Cause if you aint loving me,
I wanna know who in the world you loving
Tell me if you don't want me around
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
I don't wanna do it, I don't wanna do it
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
I need love just like you do
Tell me who you been giving it to
I'm gon' love somebody
If you keep on
If you keep on
I'm gon' love somebody
If you keep on
If you keep on
I'm gon' love somebody (she's gon love somebody)
If you keep on
I'm gon' love somebody
If you keep on, I'm gonna be gone
If you keep on, she gonna be gone
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody (you gonna make her love somebody)
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you keep on treating me the way you do
The Jones Girls’ song “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else” is a soulful tune about a one-sided relationship. The lyrics express the singer's frustration with her partner's lack of affection, attention, and communication. She is feeling neglected, unloved and unappreciated, and warns her partner that if he keeps treating her that way, she will find someone else to love. The chorus of the song is particularly moving, as the singer repeats the phrase “You gonna make me love somebody else” to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
The opening verse conveys the singer's deep love for her partner, but also exposes the fact that his actions are making her doubt his loyalty. She is confused and hurt, wondering why he is treating her so coldly when all she wants is his love. In the second verse, she hints at the possibility of her partner having an affair, urging him to disclose who he's been spending time with if he doesn't want her around. She’s not going to tolerate his behavior anymore because she knows she deserves better love and attention.
Overall, the song is a heart-wrenching tale of a woman who is ready to move on from a loveless relationship. It speaks to the power dynamics at play in romantic relationships and is an anthem for anyone who has ever been in a one-sided relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You gonna make me love somebody else
If you continue to treat me poorly, I will be forced to find love elsewhere.
If you keep on treating me the way you do
If you continue to mistreat me, I will be forced to leave.
I aint did nothing to you
I have not wronged you in any way.
I just love you with my heart, heart and soul
I love you completely and with all of my being.
Every time I need some lovin'
Whenever I crave affection and attention.
Why do you turn, turn cold
Why do you withdraw and become distant?
Now I ain't dumb, and I ain't stupid
I am not naive, and I am not foolish.
I know you need love, need love like I do
I understand that you require love just as much as I do.
'Cause if you aint loving me,
Because if you are not reciprocating my love,
I wanna know who in the world you loving
I want to know who you are giving your affection to.
Tell me if you don't want me around
Please inform me if you would prefer me to leave.
I don't say nothing to you
I do not express my grievances to you.
When you stay out, stay out all night long
When you spend entire nights away from home.
I know you got to make money
I understand that you must work to provide for us.
But bring your loving home, bring it home
Please remember to bring your affection and attention back to our relationship.
Now what's out there in the street
What is taking up all of your time outside of our home?
That's taking up, taking up all of your time
What is occupying all of your time and attention?
You gonna make me love somebody
Your actions are going to force me to find love elsewhere.
I need love just like you do
I require love and affection just as much as you do.
Tell me who you been giving it to
Please inform me who you have been giving your affection to.
I'm gon' love somebody
I am going to find someone else to love.
If you keep on
If you continue to mistreat me.
If you keep on, she gonna be gone
If you persist in treating me poorly, I will leave.
You gonna make me love somebody (you gonna make her love somebody)
Your behavior is going to lead me to find love elsewhere (and perhaps even cause someone else to do the same).
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind