Somebody Loves Me
Young Lester Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder who he can be
Somebody loves me, I wish I knew
Who can he be worries me
For every boy who passes me, I shout "Hey, maybe"
You were meant to be my loving baby, baby, oh
Somebody loves me, I wonder who
For every boy who passes me, I shout "Hey, maybe"
You were meant to be my loving baby, baby
Somebody loves me, I wonder who
Maybe, it's
Baby, it's
Maybe, baby, that somebody is you
The lyrics to Young Lester's "Somebody Loves Me" depict a sense of wonder and uncertainty in regards to romantic affection. The song begins with the repeated phrase "Somebody loves me, I wonder who" followed by the refrain "somebody loves me, I wish I knew, who can he be, worries me." This repetition of the uncertain feeling of not knowing who this person is gives the song an air of mystery, yet at the same time creates a sense of longing that is quintessential to love songs.
The next verse further exemplifies the singer's uncertainty in love, as they shout out to every boy that passes them, asking if they could be the one that loves them. The line "you were meant to be my loving baby, baby, oh" emphasizes the longing that the singer has for a romantic partner. The song ends with a similar refrain, but with the words "Maybe it's you" added, as if the singer has finally come to some sort of realization that the person they have been wondering about and hoping for is in fact the person they are singing to.
Overall, "Somebody Loves Me" speaks to the universal feeling of longing and uncertainty that comes with romantic relationships, making it a relatable and timeless song.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody loves me, I wonder who
I have a special feeling that someone out there cares for me deeply, but I am uncertain of their identity
I wonder who he can be
I speculate about the identity of the person who loves me and what their intentions might be
Somebody loves me, I wish I knew
I yearn to discover the identity of my secret admirer who I suspect is fond of me
Who can he be worries me
The uncertainty of not knowing who my admirer might be is causing me apprehension and anxiety
For every boy who passes me, I shout "Hey, maybe"
I entertain the possibility that every person I interact with could be the one who loves me and I call out to them in hope
You were meant to be my loving baby, baby, oh
I am open to the idea that the person who loves me is someone who could be my romantic partner or soulmate
Maybe it's you
I have a strong feeling that the person who loves me could be the one I am speaking to at that moment or addressing in my thoughts
Somebody loves me, I wonder who
My curiosity about the identity of my secret admirer remains unanswered
Maybe, it's
I leave open the possibility that the person who loves me could be anyone and I am still searching
Baby, it's
I address the person who might be my secret admirer with the playful nickname of "baby", suggesting an intimate connection
Maybe, baby, that somebody is you
I express a strong sense of hope and desire that the person I am speaking to might indeed be the one who loves me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kenlee1416
@Alan Card You certainly brought out the "race card" for the wrong black artist. In Nat Cole's relatively short life (30 odd years less than Sinatra), he:
1) Recorded over 35 albums in the 1950s-1960s.
2) Recorded scores of songs in the 1940s.
3) 150 of his songs/singles hit various charts including Billboard and even country charts.
4) 50 million (and more) records sold.
5) Consistently ranks in top 2 or 3 of best male jazz vocalists lists.
6) Inducted into rock n'roll Hall Of Fame (for what it's worth).
From my personal experience (I'm in the Far East). His songs were consistently on the airwaves in the late 1960s to 1970s and on oldies channels in the 1980s and early 1990s. Hardly heard any Sinatra (whose vocals I don't like). I was in Australia in the 1990s and got some 1940s music CD compilations and they all had Nat's songs but no Sinatra.
Back in 1991, Mosaic Records, run by a group of white guys, produced massive 18CD and 27LP box sets of his Capitol recordings. Later, the German music label Bear Family, again run by whites, produced two box sets of Capitol Recordings (not sure if overlap the Mosaic set). These small labels don't make much money but enough to sustain their business. The music sets are labours of love for the music and artists.
Etc
@alancard67
Nat "King" Cole was an underrated talent. Great Piano player, great singer,great actor.
@billmoller
Interesting contrast in Young's 2 solos...from heavy to light where he might have been inspired by Cole's drive.
@kenlee1416
Not sure why people would say Nat Cole was underrated. Almost everyone born before 1980 would have heard of him and his music (at least his vocals).
Lester Young, on the other hand was a major figure in jazz and a key improviser on the tenor sax but 99% of music listeners would not know him or his music.
Even among jazz afficianados, most (say 85%) couldn't care for Lester's music. But they would give Nat Cole a listen, or may even be fans.
@alancard67
It was because he was Black, he lapped Sinatra in every aspect of talent.
@kenlee1416
@Alan Card You certainly brought out the "race card" for the wrong black artist. In Nat Cole's relatively short life (30 odd years less than Sinatra), he:
1) Recorded over 35 albums in the 1950s-1960s.
2) Recorded scores of songs in the 1940s.
3) 150 of his songs/singles hit various charts including Billboard and even country charts.
4) 50 million (and more) records sold.
5) Consistently ranks in top 2 or 3 of best male jazz vocalists lists.
6) Inducted into rock n'roll Hall Of Fame (for what it's worth).
From my personal experience (I'm in the Far East). His songs were consistently on the airwaves in the late 1960s to 1970s and on oldies channels in the 1980s and early 1990s. Hardly heard any Sinatra (whose vocals I don't like). I was in Australia in the 1990s and got some 1940s music CD compilations and they all had Nat's songs but no Sinatra.
Back in 1991, Mosaic Records, run by a group of white guys, produced massive 18CD and 27LP box sets of his Capitol recordings. Later, the German music label Bear Family, again run by whites, produced two box sets of Capitol Recordings (not sure if overlap the Mosaic set). These small labels don't make much money but enough to sustain their business. The music sets are labours of love for the music and artists.
Etc
@alancard67
@Ken Lee You must not be aware of some of the racist incidents in his life. Such as when he was attacked on stage while performing in the South, how his network program could not receive sponsorship because of fear of white back lash. It is not the race card ii is called the TRUTH!!!!!! You do not have a clue!!!!!!
@bronzewand
They may be referring to him as an underrated pianist
@nadiabentuler9746
What they might allude to is that Nat King Cole was in many ways a Prince-like figure. Having been born a little later or into the lighter persuasion (as Prince would say ;) he might have achieved mega-stardom. He did not. Moreover, his trailblazing piano-playing was much less recognised (by non-musicians, that is; his pairs did notice of course) than it should have.
@finegroove
Beautiful - thx. Nat King Cole's right & left hands make a great couple ... really a quartet ;) Peace.
@60otaku4
You're welcome, John-san!!
Otaku4 (*^_^)b