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.
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I know you know
What exactly's on my mind
I can't help myself
Part of how I feel tonight
Won't make excuses
I just want you inside, baby
We don't need to
Talk about no promises
My love, my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
Let's just pretend
That we have no more tomorrow
Can we make love
Like it's our last time, baby?
Let's not get too
Soft and gentle with it 'cause
I am not feelin'
In no mood to play around
My love, my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the flowers need the rain
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the blues need the pain
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the stars need the night
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the waves need the sea
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need, babe)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the flowers need the rain (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the blues need the pain (I feel so tight)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the stars need the night (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the waves need the sea (just how I like)
My love (my love), my love
My love, my love
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the flowers need the rain (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the blues needs the pain (I feel so tight)
(Ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the stars need the night (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the waves need the sea (just how I like)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I know you know
What exactly's on my mind
I can't help myself
Part of how I feel tonight
Won't make excuses
I just want you inside, baby
We don't need to
Talk about no promises
My love, my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
Let's just pretend
That we have no more tomorrow
Can we make love
Like it's our last time, baby?
Let's not get too
Soft and gentle with it 'cause
I am not feelin'
In no mood to play around
My love, my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the flowers need the rain
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the blues need the pain
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the stars need the night
I need you (ahh-ooh)
Like the waves need the sea
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), I feel so tight
(I really, really need, babe)
My love (my love), my need (my need)
Tonight (tonight), just how I like
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the flowers need the rain (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the blues need the pain (I feel so tight)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the stars need the night (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the waves need the sea (just how I like)
My love (my love), my love
My love, my love
I need you (ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the flowers need the rain (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the blues needs the pain (I feel so tight)
(Ahh-ooh) (my love)
Like the stars need the night (my need)
I need you (ahh-ooh) (tonight)
Like the waves need the sea (just how I like)
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
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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.