About the song
Background
- Original Roots: This song wasn’t initially made famous by Pickett. The original version was penned by Solomon Burke, Jerry Wexler, and Bert Berns in 1964. Burke released it with a classic rhythm and blues feel.
- Wilson Pickett’s Transformation: In 1966, Pickett took the song, revved it full throttle, and injected it with his trademark raw, gospel-charged vocals. His version is what propelled “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” to its legendary status.
- Everlasting Impact Pickett’s version became a definitive soul anthem. It appeared in iconic movies like “The Blues Brothers” and continues to be covered and referenced in pop culture.
Themes
The heart of “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” lies in its simple, yet deeply relatable themes:
- Universal Need for Love: The song taps into a fundamental human desire for connection and belonging. It’s a reminder that we all crave someone to be there for us, to share life with.
- Desperation & Loneliness: Pickett’s impassioned delivery adds a layer of vulnerability. His vocals convey the ache and desperation of being lonely, the painful longing for affection.
- Hope Through the Ache: Even with the desperation it conveys, the song holds an underlying sense of hope. The pleading nature of it suggests that even in the loneliest moments, there’s belief that love will be found.
Lyrics
Here are some key lines that illustrate these themes:
- “Everybody needs somebody to love”: The opening line immediately establishes the universality of the song’s message.
- “When my baby mistreats me, I never never have a place to hide”: Reveals a sense of vulnerability and the pain of a troubled relationship.
- “I need you, I need you, I need you”: This refrain is pure desperation, an unfiltered plea for connection.
The Pickett Touch
It’s Wilson Pickett’s signature vocal style that infuses the song with its emotional core. His raw power, the way builds tension and release – that’s what makes his version a timeless expression of the human longing for love.
Video
Lyrics
I’m so glad to be here tonight!I’m glad to be in your wonderful city!An I gotta little message for yaThat a friend of mines told me a few years backIm talkin bout brother, Solomon Burke,You all know him, don’t cha?These are the words he told me, children:
Everybody, needs somebody, everybody, needs somebodyTo love, someone to love, sugar to kiss, sweetheart to miss, now
And a I need a (you, you, you) and I need a (you, you, you)In the mornin baby, (you, you, you), when the sun goes down(You, you, you) aint nobody eles around (you, you, you)Aaww! sometime I feel, feel a lttle sad inside, ah, my baby deceived meI’ll gotta have a love to find
And I need, (you, you, you) someone to see me through (you, you, you)And to hold my hand (you, you, you) try to make me understandAAYY! ow! tuh, tuh, tuh, a- talkin bout I need ya, haA don’t you know I need ya?I need ya in the mornin, ow! I need ya, tuh, tuh, hey!Come on, don’t ya (I need ya) you know I need ya? Aaw!Let me hear you say, Yeah!, let me hear you say, Yeah!Yeah, Yeah! Oh you know I need you (need you) Aw, yeah!You know I need you, (need you) surely doHold my hand, when the sun is goin downLet me hear ya say Yeah! Aw, yeah! Alright!My soul is wantin you, Ow!