The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) … Read Full Bio ↴The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles) are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. The Miracles went on to become one of Motown's signature acts of the 1960s, during which time their original lead singer and founding member Smokey Robinson became one of the most successful songwriters and record producers of all time.
During their nineteen year run on the American music charts, The Miracles charted over fifty hits and recorded in the genres of doo wop, soul, disco, and R&B. Twenty-six Miracles songs reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including four R&B number ones. Sixteen of the Miracles' songs charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven songs charting within the Top Ten and two - 1970's "The Tears of a Clown" and 1975's "Love Machine" (Part 1) - reaching number-one.

Original members:

Ronald "Ronnie" White (1955–1978, 1980–1983, 1993–1995 (died 1995)
Warren "Pete" Moore (1955–1978) (died 2017)
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. (1955–1972)
Claudette Robinson (1956 - 1972, 2005 -2011)
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin (1958 - 1973) (died 2011)

You've Really Got A Hold On Me
The Miracles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't like you, but I love you
Seems that I'm always thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I don't want you, but I need you
Don't want to kiss you, but I need you
Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong now

My love is strong now you really got a hold on me

You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me
Hold me, hold me, hold me

Tighter
Tighter
I want to leave you, don't want to stay here
Don't want to spend another day here
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can't quit now
You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me, please
Hold me, squeeze, hold me, hold me
You really got a hold on me

You really got a hold on me
I said you really got a hold on me

Overall Meaning

The Miracles' classic hit "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" is a soul love song filled with conflicting emotions. The singer is head over heels in love with someone who treats them badly, making it a classic tale of a turbulent relationship. The opening lines suggest that the singer does not like the person they are singing about, but they cannot help but love them. The song's central theme is the impact the other person has on the singer's life, with the repetition of "you really got a hold on me" emphasizing the depth of their feelings.

The lyrics also reflect the singer's internal struggle- they need this person, but they do not want to kiss them. The confusion of feelings expressed in the song is common in relationships and adds an element of realism to the song. The singer clearly loves the other person despite the significant emotional turmoil they cause, which is evident as they plead for the other person to hold them, even though they also want to leave them.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't like you, but I love you
Although I do not have positive feelings about you, I cannot help but have affection for you.

Seems that I'm always thinking of you
You occupy my thoughts constantly, and I cannot stop thinking about you.

Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
You mistreat me, and it causes me emotional pain and discomfort.

I love you madly, you really got a hold on me
Despite your negative treatment, I deeply love you and feel like I am under your control.

You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
You have an intense grip on me that I cannot break free from, no matter how hard I try.

I don't want you, but I need you
I do not desire to be with you, but I have an emotional dependency on you.

Don't want to kiss you, but I need you
I have no desire to be intimate with you, but I feel like I cannot be without you.

Oh, oh, oh, you do me wrong now
You continue to hurt and wrong me in ways that are unjust.

My love is strong now you really got a hold on me
Despite your actions, my love for you has grown stronger and I feel trapped and unable to escape your hold.

I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me
Although our relationship is complicated, all I want is for you to hold me in your arms.

Hold me, hold me, hold me
I need physical affection and cling to the idea of you holding me.

Tighter
I want to feel even more secure in your embrace.

I want to leave you, don't want to stay here
Although I long to be free of the emotional turmoil you cause me, I feel like I cannot let you go.

Don't want to spend another day here
I am tired of the constant emotional pain and hurt in our relationship and do not want to continue experiencing it.

Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now, I can't quit now
I desire to leave our relationship, but something inside of me keeps pulling me back and not allowing me to let go.

You really got a hold on me, you really got a hold on me, you really got a hold, baby
Your grasp on me is strong and unyielding, and I am unable to break free from your hold.

Hold me, squeeze, hold me, hold me
I need and crave physical affection from you, and wish to remain in your embrace.

You really got a hold on me
You have a profound and powerful hold on me that I cannot seem to escape or overcome.

I said you really got a hold on me
I am reiterating and emphasizing just how strong your grip on me truly is.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Robinson Jr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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