Artist: The Weepies
Album: Say I Am You
Release… Read Full Bio ↴Gotta Have You
Artist: The Weepies
Album: Say I Am You
Released: 2006
Background and Composition
The Weepies, composed of singer-songwriters Deb Talan and Steve Tannen, are known for their intimate and melodic indie pop-folk music. "Gotta Have You," from their album "Say I Am You," is a testament to their signature style, characterized by harmonized vocals and heartfelt songwriting.
Lyrics and Themes
The song's lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and the intrinsic human need for connection. Its chorus highlights the emotional bonds that tie us to one another, resonating with listeners for its simplicity and emotional depth.
Reception
Upon its release, "Gotta Have You" was met with positive acclaim for its lyrical honesty and the duo's harmonious blend of vocals and acoustic instrumentation. It has since become one of The Weepies' most beloved tracks.
In Popular Culture
The song gained additional popularity through its features in television shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "How I Met Your Mother," introducing The Weepies to a wider audience and solidifying their place in the indie music scene.
Personnel
[*]Deb Talan – vocals, guitar
[*]Steve Tannen – vocals, guitar
[*][Additional musicians] – [instruments]
Track Listing
Featured on "Say I Am You," "Gotta Have You" is part of a collection of songs that showcase The Weepies' folk-pop sound and introspective songwriting.
External Links
The Weepies' Official Website
Listen to "Gotta Have You" on Spotify
References
[*]AllMusic Artist Profile
[*]Last.fm Song Page
[*]Spotify Track Page
Gotta Have You
The Weepies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Picking at a worried seam
I try to make you mad at me over the phone.
Red eyes and fire and signs
I'm taken by a nursery rhyme
I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No, no, no, no, no,
nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.
The road gets cold, there's no spring in the meadow this year
I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears
Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself
But green, it is also summer
And I won't be warm 'til I'm lying in your arms
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you
I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat
Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...hmmmmmmm
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.
I've gotta have you, gotta have you
I've gotta have you
The Weepies’ song “Gotta Have You” portrays a sense of longing and desperation for a loved one. The first verse describes the singer’s mood as gray, quiet, tired, and mean, hinting at a sense of sadness and emptiness. The line “picking at a worried seam” is a metaphor for obsessively trying to fix or control something that is causing distress, signaling that something is not right in the singer's life. They then say they want to make their partner mad to get their attention, but it becomes clear as the song progresses that they are desperate to be close to them.
The lyrics of the chorus, “No amount of coffee, no amount of crying, no amount of whiskey, no amount of wine, nothing else will do, I’ve gotta have you, I’ve gotta have you,” emphasize the singer’s obsession, indicating that nothing else will suffice or bring them the same joy that being near their loved one would. As the singer feels disconnected from the world around them, the lyrics describe how their emotional needs can only be fulfilled by the person they love, and without them, they feel incomplete.
The second verse continues the singer’s sense of despair and hints at isolation as they focus on the absence of spring in the meadow; however, the lyrics change as summer arrives, bringing a sense of hope, and the color green symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and hope. The singer seems to recognize the role of their loved one in providing them warmth and comfort, and they acknowledge their own selfishness, referring to themselves as a “prima donna” and “sorry for myself.” However, they continue to express their intense longing, with the lyrics “nothing else will do, I’ve gotta have you, I’ve gotta have you.”
Overall, "Gotta Have You" is a song about longing, desperation, and love, portraying a sense of dependence on a loved one for emotional fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Gray, quiet and tired and mean
I am feeling emotionless and drained, possibly causing me to act unpleasantly
Picking at a worried seam
I am anxiously obsessing over a problem or issue
I try to make you mad at me over the phone.
I am intentionally pushing away the person I love by creating conflict
Red eyes and fire and signs
I am overwhelmed with passion and emotion
I'm taken by a nursery rhyme
I am finding comfort in something simple and familiar
I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home
I long for happiness and contentment in my personal life
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No matter what I do, it cannot fill the emotional void that only you can
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
Even numbing myself with substances cannot replace the love that only you can provide
I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears
I am vulnerable and trying to open myself up to love and understanding
Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself
I am feeling self-pity and may be acting dramatic or self-centered
But green, it is also summer
There is hope and growth even in difficult times
And I won't be warm 'til I'm lying in your arms
I crave physical and emotional intimacy with you
I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat
I picture a future with you, where I am content and on the road
Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...hmmmmmmm
I am blissfully happy with you, enjoying the simple moments in life
I've gotta have you
I need you in my life, as nothing else can replace the love and joy you bring me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDDIE RABBITT, REED NIELSEN, RICHARD LANDIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UntEyEHero
Gray, quiet and tired and mean
Picking at a worried seam
I try to make you mad at me over the phone.
Red eyes and fire and signs
I'm taken by a nursery rhyme
I want to make a ray of sunshine and never leave home
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
No, no, no, no, no,
nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.
The road gets cold, there's no spring in the meadow this year
I'm the new chicken clucking open hearts and ears
Oh, such a prima donna, sorry for myself
But green, it is also summer
And I won't be warm 'til I'm lying in your arms
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you
I see it all through a telescope: guitar, suitcase, and a warm coat
Lying in the back of the blue boat, humming a tune...hmmmmmmm
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have
No amount of coffee, no amount of crying
No amount of whiskey, no amount of wine
No, no, no, no, no
Nothing else will do
I've gotta have you, I've gotta have you.
I've gotta have you, gotta have you
I've gotta have you
@danielesposito5051
Found this CD at a garage sale for 75 cents. Sometimes on rare occasions, you come across a gem. One man's junk is another man's treasure.
@hyacinthjt
Imagine the backstory of that CD.
@adamklassen7987
How. The hell?
@mrshah2043
This is arguably their best album.
@kathleenmcnally9583
Love love love this♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
@natalieshepp641
It's from the Juno soundtrack. I love all of the music on that cd
@dubomaniac5678
I came from Moringmakugh...Thank you for letting me know this masterpiece
@davidjoshualuneta1470
Noice! Same here!
@maximilianovaldebenito2923
X3
@normalman6909
Yeah, really great song, thanks once more to Mark :-)