Teaming with veteran producer Bobby Robinson, Hightower cut some fine soul during the '60s. The Gadsden, AL, native traveled the gospel circuit before going secular, waxing his first singles for Robinson's Enjoy logo. Hightower's soulful version of the folk standard If I Had a Hammer turned some heads, but he didn't scale the R&B charts until 1969 when It's a Miracle proved a decent seller on Capitol.
What Am I Living For
Willie Hightower Lyrics
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If not for you
Tell me what am I living for
If not for you
Girl, what am I living for
If not for you
Whoa, oh, nobody else, baby
Nobody else will do
What am I longing for
Each lonely night,
To feel your lips to mine
And hold you tight
Yes, you'll be the only girl
My whole life through
Oh, nobody, baby
Nobody else will do
I want you close to me
That's all I know
I want you all the time
Darling, I love you so
What am I living for
If not for you
Tell me what am I living for
If not for you
I wanna know
What am I living for
What am I living for
If not for you
Oh, darling, nobody else
Nobody else will do
Oh, pick it, son
I want you close to me
That's all I know
I want you all the time
Because I love you so
Girl, what am I living for
If not for you
Tell me what am I living for
If not for you
What am I living for
If not for you
Oh, oh, nobody else, baby
Nobody else will do
Oh, oh, nobody, nobody, baby
Nobody else will do
The song "What Am I Living For" by Willie Hightower is a ballad about the love and devotion the singer has for a particular person, and how that love has become the sole reason for his existence. The lyrics pose the question, "What am I living for / If not for you," and reiterates the sentiment throughout the entire song. The singer explains that nobody else will do, emphasizing the depth of his commitment to their relationship.
The lines, "What am I longing for / Each lonely night, / To feel your lips to mine / And hold you tight," express the depth of the singer's desire to be close to his love interest. It is evident that the singer's yearning for this particular person is intense and all-encompassing. He further expresses his devotion by saying, "Yes, you'll be the only girl / My whole life through," indicating that their relationship is the only relationship he desires for the rest of his life.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey the sentiment that love is the driving force behind the singer's existence. His desire to be with his love interest is the sole reason he wants to live and continue existing.
Line by Line Meaning
What am I living for
I am questioning the purpose of my existence
If not for you
Without your presence, I feel lost and meaningless
Tell me what am I living for
I am desperately seeking an answer to my vague existence
Girl, what am I living for
I am addressing the person who gives my life meaning, who is my reason for living
Whoa, oh, nobody else, baby
I am reaffirming your unique status and irreplaceable role in my life
What am I longing for
I am expressing my strong desire and yearning for your love
Each lonely night,
In the absence of your affection, my nights are filled with solitude and longing
To feel your lips to mine
I crave the intimacy and passion shared through a simple yet powerful kiss
And hold you tight
I yearn for your physical embrace and closeness
Yes, you'll be the only girl
I declare my commitment and dedication to you, and you alone
My whole life through
I envision spending my entire life with you by my side
I want you close to me
I desire your constant presence and proximity in my life
That's all I know
My love for you is the only thing that's certain and consistent in my life
Darling, I love you so
I express the depth and intensity of my love for you
I wanna know
I am seeking clarity and understanding about my situation
Oh, darling, nobody else
I emphasize your irreplaceable role in my life and reaffirm my love for you
Oh, pick it, son
A musical interstice, expressing instrumental emphasis and highlighting the song's rhythm and tempo
Oh, oh, nobody, nobody, baby
I am reiterating your unique status and importance in my life, and emphasizing my love for you
Writer(s): ART HARRIS, FRED JAY
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.