Used to Be My Girl
The O'Jays Lyrics


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Oh, good loving,
The girl's got plenty good lovin'
Ask me how I know,
And I'll tell you so,
She used to be my girl

I respect her
When she was mine,
I used to neglect her
Ah, she wanted more than I could give
But as long as I live,
She'll be my girl

She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl
She had a charmin' personality
The girl was so right for me
She's my girl
And if I had the chance
I'd toke her back
As a matter of fact
Right away, like today

Not only good lookin'
The girl was so smart
Ya can't beat her cookin'
Ah, ask me how I know,
And I'll tell you so
She used to be my girl

Deep down inside I still love her
I place no one above her
She's warm and sensitive
For as long as I live
She'll be my girl
And if I had the chance
I'd toke her back
As a matter of fact
right away, like today

Oh, well

Oh, good lovin'
The girl's got plenty good lovin'
Ask me how I know,
And I'll tell you so
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, my girl
She used to be my girl, girl, girl
She used to be my girl, my girl

Deep down inside, I love her
I place no one above her
She was mine, all mine
She was mine
She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl




She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl

Overall Meaning

The O'Jays' song Use ta Be My Girl is a classic soul tune released in 1978. The song's theme is the regret of letting go of a former lover, who had "plenty good lovin'." The singer tells of how he "used to neglect her," despite her charm, personality, and cooking skills. However, he still loves her and places no one above her. He would take her back without hesitation if given the chance.


The song conveys a common emotion that many people experience after a breakup, the regret of losing someone who was genuinely good to you. It's a song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has lost someone they care about deeply. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the arrangement and delivery of the vocals are soulful, making for an excellent listening experience.


Throughout the song, the singer speaks in a lamenting tone, expressing his admiration for his former lover. The bridge of the song reinforces the message of the lyrics, as the singer's emotions peak, and he declares that she'll always be his girl. The chorus repeats the same phrase several times, underscoring the longing for his lost love.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, good loving,
The singer fondly remembers his former lover.


The girl's got plenty good lovin'
The singer believes his former lover was an excellent partner.


Ask me how I know,
The singer is confident that he knows everything about his ex-girlfriend.


And I'll tell you so,
The singer is willing to share his knowledge and experience with others.


She used to be my girl
The singer is nostalgic about a past relationship with this woman.


I respect her
The singer now realizes that he did not appreciate his former lover enough when they were together.


When she was mine,
The singer used to be in a romantic relationship with this woman.


I used to neglect her
The singer admits that he did not treat his ex-girlfriend well when they were together.


Ah, she wanted more than I could give
The singer understands that his ex-girlfriend had greater expectations for the relationship than he was able to meet.


But as long as I live,
The singer still remembers his ex-girlfriend and holds onto his feelings for her.


She'll be my girl
The singer will always consider this woman as his girl, even though they are no longer together.


She had a charmin' personality
The singer remembers his ex-girlfriend as a lovely person with a great personality.


The girl was so right for me
The singer believed that his ex-girlfriend was the perfect match for him.


And if I had the chance
The singer still holds onto hope that one day he may have another chance with this woman.


I'd toke her back
The singer would readily take his ex-girlfriend back into his life if given the opportunity.


As a matter of fact
The singer is firm in his desire to reunite with his ex-girlfriend.


Right away, like today
The singer is eager to rekindle the relationship as soon as possible.


Not only good lookin'
The singer acknowledges that his ex-girlfriend had more than just physical beauty.


The girl was so smart
The singer admired his ex-girlfriend's intelligence and intellectual abilities.


Ya can't beat her cookin'
The singer appreciates his ex-girlfriend's culinary skills.


Deep down inside I still love her
The singer confesses that his feelings for his ex-girlfriend are still strong, despite the passage of time.


I place no one above her
The singer believes that his ex-girlfriend is the one and only person he has ever loved to this extent.


She's warm and sensitive
The singer recalls his ex-girlfriend's warm and caring personality.


She was mine, all mine
The singer remembers his ex-girlfriend as his own, and feels possessive about their past relationship.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@emoss8927

My then boyfriend used to sing this to me when we broke up in HS. We have now been married 39 yrs!❤ Whenever I hear the O'Jays, The Whispers, Delfonics and Black Ivory I am transported back in time. Nothing like the old school love songs!

@rjo3737

I'm 70, white, British - and the 70s was the THE best era of soul by far!

@terricook638

When singers could ACTUALLY SING!
Love the O'JAYS

@gloriasteagall1339

Grown folks music 😊

@illacook3636

Every time I hear this song, I shed tears. This was one of my fathers favorite song's and every time I hear,it feels like he's sitting right next to me. I miss you, Daddy. Thank you for not leaving me.

@dex.cameron1855

"She wanted more than I can give, but as long as I live, she'll be my girl"....

@juanitabunch3444

I’m old school still listening to the O”Jays right now all the time

@userofname1

Sometimes, I think the groups like this and the Temptations, Spinners, etc are gone. They were my favorites.

@leonhill6769

Here in 2023!!!😘

@WishClement-py6do

Singing with emotion n love ! We're is now! Miss it

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