I don't like you
But I love you
Seems that I'm always
Thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh,
You treat me badly
I love you madly
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I don't want you,
But I need you
Don't want to kiss you
But I need you
Oh, oh, oh
You do me wrong now
My love is strong now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, please, hold me, squeeze,hold me
Tied up. Tied up.

I want to leave you
Don't want to stay here
Don't want to spend another day here
Oh, oh, oh, I want to split now
I just can quit now
You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me, baby

I love you and all I want you to do
Is just hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me

You've really got a hold on me
You've really got a hold on me


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by Mellow_Harsher

You've Really Got a Hold on Me (Smokey Robinson cover) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    It's about wanting or needing someone, but at the same time knowing that the person is not right for you.

    Maksimovicon June 08, 2008   Link
  • +2
    Song Comparison

    This song is about being a codependent to someone who is unstable or wrong for you in some way. There's lots of songs about being codependent -" Britney Spears "Toxic" (btw Naim Yael does a killer cover), Rod Stewart (originally by Tim Hardin) "Reason to Believe," Sia "The Co-dependent, Jazmine Sullivan "Holding You Down," Bad Company "I Can't Live Without You," Dido "White Flag," Dean Martin "You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You," Dolly Parton "Jolene," Everclear "You Make Me Feel Like a Whore," Ella Fitzgerald (edgy cover by Tricky) "Black Coffee," Soft Cell "Tainted Love," U2 "With or Without You," Melissa Etheridge "I'm the Only One," Ducan Sheik "Barely Breathing," Lauren Hill "The Ex-factor," Sade "Mr. Wrong," John Mayer "Heartbreak Warfare," and even the song "Your Are My Sunshine."

    sem3000on February 05, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The original is by Smokey Robinson. All The Beatles did was perform an absolutely amazing cover. One of my favorites.

    CraigNewton October 27, 2004   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I think this song can be taken in different ways. When I first heard it I thought it was about a more lighthearted romance between people who loved each other but didn't always get along (an example would be Princess Leia and Han Solo from Star Wars). As I listened to the song more though, I saw that it could have a darker interpretation, namely "I love you and I want to be with you, but you treat me so badly that I can't help but want to leave you."

    purplepassionon December 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    cant believe no one has commented on this song! Its brilliant! About loving something so dearly, and they just are horrible, and they just dont treat u right, but still u adore them, and cant let them go, u want them to just be with u! I think everybody can relate! Great song!!!

    angel2kisson September 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's because it's a cover version - The Beatles didn't write it!

    butterfingersbeckon June 21, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the song is credited to a 'robinson' on the album 'with the beatles'. does anyone know who that is?

    fixerupperon June 22, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Me too. I thought it was a Beatles original. Thanks, guys.

    handsdown4dbeatleson July 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I heard this cover the other day off a live video session from youtube! I have to say this cover is wonderful and amazing!

    but can anyone direct to what album this song was released on?

    RenePerezzon August 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it was on the Beatles' 2nd British release, With the Beatles it was originally released as a single by the Miracles in November of 1962

    crazydiamond1to9on December 31, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.