I'll Be Doggone
The Supremes & The Temptations Lyrics

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Well, I'll be doggone if I wouldn't work all day
And I'll be doggone if I wouldn't bring you my pay
But if I ever caught you running around
Blowing my money all over this town

Then I wouldn't be doggone
Hey, Hey! I'd be long gone
Then I wouldn't be doggone

I'd be long gone

Now hey, hey, hey!
I'll be doggone if you ain't a pretty thing
And I'll be doggone if you ain't warm as a breath of spring
And if we live to be a hundred years old
If you ever let that spring turn cold

Then I wouldn't be doggone
Hey! I'd be long gone
Oh I wouldn't be doggone
I'd be long gone

Now did you hear what I say?
Well now what I say
Oh, believe me Well, every woman should try
To be what ever has man wants her to be
And I don't want much
All I want from you is for you to be true to me

Well, I'd be doggone if love ain't a man's best friend
Oh, baby, And I'll be doggone if you ain't the loving end
Though I know you make me feel like no baby could
If I ever found out that you're no good

Then I wouldn't be doggone
Hey, hey, hey, I'd be long gone

Well I wouldn't de doggone baby
I'd be long gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'll be Doggone" by The Supremes & The Temptations speak about commitment and loyalty in a relationship. The singer expresses the willingness to work all day and provide for their partner, but warns that if they catch them wasting their hard-earned money on frivolous things, they will leave. The opening lines of "I'll be doggone if I wouldn't work all day, and I'll be doggone if I wouldn't bring you my pay" directly express the singer's commitment to their significant other.

However, they also emphasize the importance of honesty and trust. The second verse says, "I'll be doggone if you ain't warm as a breath of spring, and if we live to be a hundred years old if you ever let that spring turn cold." This suggests that the singer values the emotional connection they have with their partner and cannot tolerate any form of dishonesty or deceit. If their love turns out to be inauthentic, they'd rather leave than live a lie.

The song highlights the concept of mutual respect and understanding in a relationship, where both partners should be true to themselves and each other. The chorus, "Then I wouldn't be doggone, I'd be long gone," is a clear message that the singer will not tolerate any form of betrayal or dishonesty in their relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I'll be doggone if I wouldn't work all day
I am willing to work hard all day long.

And I'll be doggone if I wouldn't bring you my pay
I am willing to give you my hard-earned money.

But if I ever caught you running around
If I ever caught you cheating on me,

Blowing my money all over this town
Spending my hard-earned money recklessly,

Then I wouldn't be doggone
I wouldn't put up with it.

Hey, Hey! I'd be long gone
I would leave you.

Now hey, hey, hey!
Listen to me!

I'll be doggone if you ain't a pretty thing
You are very beautiful.

And I'll be doggone if you ain't warm as a breath of spring
You are kind-hearted and loving.

And if we live to be a hundred years old
If we live long enough,

If you ever let that spring turn cold
If you ever stop loving me,

Then I wouldn't be doggone
I couldn't tolerate it.

Hey! I'd be long gone
I would leave you.

Now did you hear what I say?
Are you listening to me?

Well now what I say
I mean what I am saying.

Oh, believe me Well, every woman should try
Women should always strive to be what their man wants.

To be what ever has man wants her to be
To be whatever her man desires.

And I don't want much
I am not asking for a lot.

All I want from you is for you to be true to me
I just want you to be loyal to me.

Well, I'd be doggone if love ain't a man's best friend
Love is a man's closest companion.

Oh, baby, And I'll be doggone if you ain't the loving end
You are the epitome of love and affection.

Though I know you make me feel like no baby could
You make me feel loved like no one else could.

If I ever found out that you're no good
If I ever discovered that you were unfaithful or disloyal,

Then I wouldn't be doggone
I would not tolerate it.

Hey, hey, hey, I'd be long gone
I would leave you.

Well I wouldn't de doggone baby
I wouldn't put up with it, darling.

I'd be long gone
I would leave you.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN TARPLIN, SMOKEY ROBINSON, WARREN MOORE, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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