They were originally formed in 1952, as the Four Dots, but they took their long lasting name from the Tam O'Shanter style hat that the group choose to wear on stage. Although such an early origin suggests longevity, it was not until 1960 that the group finally emerged with a single on Swan Records. "Untie Me", a Joe South composition, became a Top 20 U.S. R&B hit, but follow-up releases failed until 1963, when "What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)", reached the U.S. Top 10.
Whilst never a major recording force, their longevity was due to persistence, and the occasional surprising success. For example, "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" was a modest Stateside hit in 1964. The Tams had only one further U.S. hit in 1968 with "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy", which peaked on the Billboard R&B chart at 26, and made the UK Top 40 in 1970.
However, the group stunned many (including themselves), by flying to the Number One slot in the UK singles chart in September 1971, thanks to its initial support from the then thriving northern soul scene.
They were destined to not chart again until sixteen years later. Then, their association with The Shag, a dance craze and subsequent 80s film, secured a further lifeline to this remarkable group, giving The Tams another UK Top 30 hit, with "There Ain't Nothing Like Shaggin'".
To Love Somebody
The Tams Lyrics
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A certain kind of light
That never shone on me
I want my life to be lived with you
Lived with you
There's a way everybody say
To do each and every little thing
But what does it bring
You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like
To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you
In my brain
I see your face again
I know my frame of mind
You ain't got to be so blind
And I'm blind, so, so, so blind
I'm a man
Can't you see what I am?
I live and I breathe for you
But what good does it do
If I ain't got you, ain't got?
You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like
To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you
You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like
To love somebody
To love somebody
The way I love you
You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like
To love somebody
The lyrics of The Tams’ “To Love Somebody” are a love song expressing a deep longing and desire for a particular person. The opening words about a “certain kind of light” not shining on the singer indicate that there is an absence in their life. They want to live their life with the person they love and imply that without them, their life lacks the same meaning and fulfillment.
The lyrics then continue with a contemplation of the way people live their lives and the actions that are considered necessary to do everything correctly. However, the singer seems to suggest that none of this matters without the person they love. They question the worth of anything and imply that it is all meaningless without the one they want.
The chorus repeats the phrase “you don't know what it's like,” emphasizing that the person they are speaking to has never experienced the depth of love or desperation that the singer is feeling. The final verse reveals that the singer is deeply blinded by love and living their life for the other person, but the love is not returned with the same intensity. It is a beautifully written song about the deep feelings of love, longing, and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a light
There is hope
A certain kind of light
A hopeful light that is unique
That never shone on me
I have never experienced this hopeful light
I want my life to be lived with you
I want to live my life with you
Lived with you
I want to share my life with you
There's a way everybody say
People say that there is a certain way to do things
To do each and every little thing
To do every little thing correctly
But what does it bring
But what is the point of doing everything right
If I ain't got you, ain't got?
If I don't have you, what do I have?
You don't know what it's like, baby
You can't understand what I'm feeling
To love somebody
To love someone deeply
To love somebody
To love someone profoundly
The way I love you
The way I deeply and profoundly love you
In my brain
In my mind's eye
I see your face again
I can visualize your face clearly
I know my frame of mind
I understand my own thoughts and feelings
You ain't got to be so blind
You don't have to be oblivious
And I'm blind, so, so, so blind
But I am incredibly oblivious
I'm a man
I am a human being
Can't you see what I am?
Can't you understand who I am?
I live and I breathe for you
I exist solely for you
But what good does it do
But what is the point?
If I ain't got you, ain't got?
If I don't have you, what is the point in anything?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB, MAURICR GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind