You Need Love
Willie Dixon Lyrics


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You've got yearnin' and I got burnin'
Baby, you look so, ohh, sweet and cunning
Baby, way down inside, woman you need love

Woman you need love, you've got to have some love
I'm gonna give you some love, I know you need love
Just gotta have love, gotta have some love
You make me feel so good, you make me feel all right
You make me feel so good, ohh, you make me feel all right
You make me feel so good, you make me feel all right

You're so nice, you're so nice
You're so nice, you're so nice
You're so nice, you're so nice
You're so nice, you're so nice

You're frettin' and I'm petting
A lot of good things, ohh, you ain't getting
Baby, way down inside, woman you need love

I know you need love, you just to have some love

I ain't foolin', you need schoolin'
Baby, you know you need coolin'
Woman, way down inside

Woman you need love, you've got to have some love




Ooh, you gotta have some love
Ooh, you gotta have some love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Willie Dixon's song "You Need Love" suggest a man who is aware of the needs of the woman he's singing to. He notices that she has yearnings, which he can quench as he has a burning desire to love her. He describes her as being sweet and cunning, beautifully tempting in every way possible. He affirms that the woman needs love and goes on to reiterate how much he knows she needs it, and how he's willing to provide it. The chorus is sung with conviction and repetition, affirming the need for love.


In the second verse, he notes the difference between them, where she is frettin, and he is petting. He points out all the good things that she's not getting and suggests that she needs love to obtain them. He then sings that he's not joking and she needs schoolin', implying that he can teach her many things. At this point, the chorus is repeated, and the song ends with a final affirmation that she needs love.


The lyrics to "You Need Love" reflect the idea of love being a universal need that everyone has regardless of gender or ethnicity. It speaks of a man, different from the many other male-dominated songs at that period. It portrays a man who understands that women also have needs and desire to feel loved. It's been interpreted by some as a beautiful love song, while many see it as merely an instrument for the Led Zeppelin song "Whole Lotta Love," which borrowed heavily from "You Need Love." 


Line by Line Meaning

You've got yearnin' and I got burnin'
You are feeling a strong desire, and I have an intense passion.


Baby, you look so, ohh, sweet and cunning
My dear, you appear very charming and sly.


Baby, way down inside, woman you need love
Deep down, my lady, you require love.


Woman you need love, you've got to have some love
Female you crave love, you must experience it.


I'm gonna give you some love, I know you need love
I will provide affection since I am aware that you need it.


Just gotta have love, gotta have some love
You simply must have love; you need it a lot.


You make me feel so good, you make me feel all right
You cause me to experience positive emotions; you make me feel fine.


You're so nice, you're so nice
You are extremely pleasant, and I appreciate it.


You're frettin' and I'm petting
You are anxious, and I am trying to comfort you.


A lot of good things, ohh, you ain't getting
Several beneficial things are eluding you.


I know you need love, you just to have some love
I understand that you desperately require love.


I ain't foolin', you need schoolin'
I am not joking; you must learn something.


Baby, you know you need coolin'
Darling, you must calm down.


Woman, way down inside
Lady, in your innermost being.


Ooh, you gotta have some love
Oh, you really must experience love.


Woman you need love, you've got to have some love
Female you crave love, you must experience it.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WILLIE DIXON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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