Formed in 1963 in Birmingham after the Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis encountered vocalist and organist Steve Winwood (then aged 14 and still at school), and his bass playing brother Muff Winwood performing at a pub, the Golden Eagle, as the Muff Woody Jazz Band. He recruited them and Pete York on drums to form the Rhythm and Blues Quartette, which performed regularly in the city. In 1964, they signed their first recording contract after Chris Blackwell of Island Records saw them at an appearance in a local club; Blackwell also became their producer.
The group's first professional recording was a cover version of Dimples, but they came to success at the end of 1965 with Keep on Running, the group's first number one single. In 1966 they followed this with Somebody Help Me and When I Come Home. For the German market the group released "Det war in Schöneberg, im Monat Mai" and "Mädel ruck ruck ruck an meine grüne Seite" (the first is from a 1913 Berlin operetta, the second is a Swabian traditional) as a tribute single for that audience, Spencer Davis having studied in West Berlin in the early 1960s.
By the end of 1966 and the beginning of 1967, the group released two more hits, Gimme Some Lovin' (which was re-released in a live, nine-minute version by Steve Winwood's Traffic in 1971) and I'm A Man. These tracks proved to be their two best-known successes, especially in the U.S.
In 1967, Winwood left to form Traffic; his brother Muff moved into the music industry as A&R man at Island Records. In a so-called joint venture, the soundtrack to the film Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush featured both the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic.
Despite the Winwoods' departure, the Spencer Davis Group continued performing and released more singles, though not repeating earlier successes. These included Time Seller in July 1967; the b-side, Don't Want You No More, also received radio airplay.
This was followed by "Mr. Second-Class" in late 1967, which was heavily played on Radio Caroline (at that time one of the two remaining pirate radio ships off the British coast) and the group's last minor hit, "After Tea", in 1968. The latter song was released at the same time by the German band The Rattles, providing competition that led finally to a temporary stop to all activities of the band. Davis continued working, however, producing some jazz-oriented albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Although short-lived, The Spencer Davis Group - particularly its incarnation with Steve Winwood - was influential, with many of the band's songs covered by other artists over the years. Notable among these are Chicago's 1969 version of "I'm a Man," The Allman Brothers Band's 1969 take of "Don't Want You No More," Three Dog Night's 1970 recording of "Can't Get Enough of It," and The Blues Brothers' 1980 recording of "Gimme Some Lovin'."
I Can't Get Enough Of It
The Spencer Davis Group Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm taking more than my share
Falling in love I can bear
Provided that loving affair
But he don't know about you
And all the things that you do
And how it breaks me in two
Just to know a man's with you
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't ever let you go, oh
I feel like I need you so, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
Yeah 'cos every time we're apart
I get a pain in my heart
And my mind's completely a mess
And I ain't getting no rest
I guess I'm failing the test
I guess you're getting the best
Of all the love I can give
'cos you're the reason I live
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't ever let you go, oh
I feel like I need you so, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't ever let you go, oh
I feel like I need you so, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
Yeah 'cos every time we're apart
I get a pain in my heart
And my mind's completely a mess
And I ain't getting no rest
I guess I'm failing the test
I guess you're getting the best
Of all the love I can give
'cos you're the reason I live
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't ever let you go, oh
I feel like I need you so, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
I can't get enough of it, oh
The lyrics of "I can't get enough of it" express an addiction to a partner that goes beyond reason. The singer of the song has fallen so deeply in love that his very health is at risk, but he cannot imagine living without their lover. The song speaks about the overpowering feeling of needing someone beyond measure and feeling incomplete without them.
The first verse communicates the singer's awareness that he is already in bad shape because of his obsession, but he remains unable to let go of this passion. He explains that even though he knows he is overdoing it, he is willing to endure the pain to stay with his lover. In the second verse, he reveals that separation is almost unbearable for him, leaving him in distress and causing a mess in his mind. The singer's passion for his lover is all-encompassing and all-consuming, making him feel as though he is failing at everything else in his life. He concedes that they're worth every bit of the love he can give because they're the reason he exists.
Overall, the song portrays love as something that can be dangerous, obsessive, and all-consuming as much as it can be wonderful, alongside the thrill of giving in to such a powerful emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my doctor told me beware
I have been warned by my physician to be cautious about something.
I'm taking more than my share
I am indulging in something excessively or beyond what is appropriate for me.
Falling in love I can bear
I am capable of handling the emotions and changes that come with romantic attachment.
Provided that loving affair
Assuming that the relationship is based on love and affection.
But he don't know about you
My doctor is not aware of you and our relationship.
And all the things that you do
The actions and behaviors that you engage in and that affect me emotionally.
And how it breaks me in two
The emotional strain and turmoil that our relationship causes me.
Just to know a man's with you
The thought of another person being with you causes me distress and jealousy.
I can't get enough of it, oh
My desire for you and the relationship is insatiable and unrelenting.
I can't ever let you go, oh
I cannot bear the thought of losing you or ending the relationship.
I feel like I need you so, oh
My emotional dependence and attachment to you is intense and overwhelming.
Yeah 'cos every time we're apart
Every moment spent apart from you is difficult and painful for me.
I get a pain in my heart
The physical and emotional discomfort that accompanies my separation from you.
And my mind's completely a mess
My thoughts and emotions are muddled and chaotic without you.
And I ain't getting no rest
I am unable to find peace or respite from my emotional turmoil.
I guess I'm failing the test
I am struggling and experiencing difficulty in managing my emotions and attachment to you.
I guess you're getting the best
You are receiving the most intense and devoted love and attention that I am capable of giving.
Of all the love I can give
The full extent of my emotional capacity and affection is dedicated to you.
'cos you're the reason I live
You are the source of my emotional and existential purpose and motivation for living.
Contributed by Kennedy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hermajestyatthegate4756
I've never gotten enough of this song!
@domingoscarinci9415
Awesome¡ fantastic¡
@HansHenrikBay
Thank you, fantastic groovy song , I love it. The sound of my childhood.
@bookshopband
Magic groove!
@trfesok
Covered by Three Dog Night on their "Naturally" album. So, I put both versions in my TDN playlist. Thanks for the upload!
@jbranum3087
I love it when the flip is better than the side I bought it for
@robinwilson1433
what was on the "A" side, I wonder? Do people nowadays know what a "flip" is?! lol
@jbranum3087
@Robin Wilson I'm a man
@robertzamora6498
Man its hard to beat Im a Man but yes A and B sides just Rocked
@domingoscarinci9415
y estamos a 45 años de este sonido genial