William Bell (born 16 July 1939) is an American soul singer and songwriter.… Read Full Bio ↴William Bell (born 16 July 1939) is an American soul singer and songwriter. As a performer, he is probably best known for his debut single 1961's "You Don't Miss Your Water" and 1968's top 10 hit in the UK "Private Number", a duet with Judy Clay.

One of the finest of the Stax/Volt soul artists, he was, like Otis Redding, able to tell a story with great sincerity and flawless musicality. His song "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til Your Well Runs Dry)" is a Memphis masterpiece.

Just As I Thought
William Bell Lyrics

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Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

You've been running around
And still you say that you are through
I'm gonna put you down
Cause now I'm wise to everything you do

You tell me you're out with a friend
Yet it's 5 o'clock when you come in
You told me you needed a love like mine
But now I know you were lying

Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
I know it's just as I thought

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

I've been going crazy
Over a love that I never had
And when I think of things you do
Girl you know it makes me mad

When you were having a ball
I was beating my head against a wall
You know you told me you needed a love like mine
And know I know you were lying

Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
I know it's just as I thought

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

Yeah just as I thought
Just as I thought
Just as I thought
You've been running around (Just as I thought)
You bean cheating on me(Just as I thought)
Just as I thought (Just as I thought)

Just as I thought baby (Just as I thought)
It's just as I thought

Overall Meaning

In William Bell’s song “Just as I Thought”, he sings about the pain and frustration of discovering his partner's infidelity. Bell accuses his partner of lying to him and being dishonest about where she was and who she was with, and he recognizes that he has been played for a fool. The repetition of the phrase “Just as I thought” in the chorus emphasizes Bell's realization that his partner has been unfaithful and that he has been naive to believe her lies. He is angry and hurt, and the song reflects the emotional turmoil that comes with betrayal and heartbreak.

Throughout the song, Bell's use of repetition emphasizes his point and emphasizes the pain of being deceived. He repeats phrases like “you told me” and “just as I thought” to drive home the theme of betrayal and emphasize the hurt that he is feeling. The use of repetition also contributes to the song's catchy melody, making it an earworm that is easily stuck in your head.

Overall, “Just as I Thought” is a classic soul song that represents the genre's emphasis on emotion, honesty, and personal experience. The song resonates with anyone who has been hurt by the lies and deceit of a partner, and it has stood the test of time as a reflection of the timeless theme of heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah yeah yeah
The singer expresses frustration and disappointment through repeated phrases.

You've been running around
The singer accuses the subject of the song of infidelity.

And still you say that you are through
The subject of the song claims to be done with the relationship despite their dishonesty.

I'm gonna put you down
The singer announces their intention to end the relationship due to the subject's behavior.

Cause now I'm wise to everything you do
The singer proclaims that they have become aware of the subject's lies and deceit.

You tell me you're out with a friend
The subject of the song provides a false explanation for their absence.

Yet it's 5 o'clock when you come in
The singer reveals evidence that disproves the subject's story.

You told me you needed a love like mine
The subject of the song had previously professed their love for the singer.

But now I know you were lying
The singer reveals that they no longer believe the subject's previous statements.

Just as I thought (Just as I thought)
The singer affirms that their suspicions have been confirmed through the preceding events.

I know it's just as I thought
The singer is confident that their intuition was correct.

I've been going crazy
The singer expresses the emotional toll of the deception they have experienced.

Over a love that I never had
The singer reflects on the fact that the love they thought they shared was a falsehood created by the subject of the song.

And when I think of things you do
The singer experiences negative emotions when they remember the subject's actions.

Girl you know it makes me mad
The singer reveals their emotional reaction to the situation.

When you were having a ball
The singer recalls a time when the subject was behaving carefree while they were in a state of emotional turmoil.

I was beating my head against a wall
The singer felt frustrated and stuck in their situation.

Just as I thought baby (Just as I thought)
The singer reiterates that their suspicions have been confirmed.

It's just as I thought
The singer reasserts their realization that the subject had been dishonest with them.

Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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