This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
You must abide by the Golden Rule
Do unto others as they do unto you
'Cause what goes around comes around, hear what I say
Why look tomorrow, if it's here today
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
My love's getting stronger every day
I keep the feeling {The feeling} in the love we make
If you worry 'bout your feelings, they'll be fine
'Cause I'm a lover, baby {A lover}, I won't let you go
So baby, don't let people interfere
Just come on and love me your way
'Cause there's nothing better than to know
That you are my lover {Perfect lover}
Oh, oh, oh, I really wanna be your lover, girl
Oh, I really wanna be your lover
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
I really wanna be your lover, girl
I really wanna be your lover
Don't you know the lovers, the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Wanna be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Here with me, girl)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, oh)
The lovers win every time
You must hold on to, yeah, the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time, oh, baby
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I got to be, babe)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Want to be your number)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, love you, girl)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, oh)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I wanna be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Got to be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I wanna be your man)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Hey, lady)
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
You must abide by the Golden Rule
Do unto others as they do unto you
'Cause what goes around comes around, hear what I say
Why look tomorrow, if it's here today
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
My love's getting stronger every day
I keep the feeling {The feeling} in the love we make
If you worry 'bout your feelings, they'll be fine
'Cause I'm a lover, baby {A lover}, I won't let you go
So baby, don't let people interfere
Just come on and love me your way
'Cause there's nothing better than to know
That you are my lover {Perfect lover}
Oh, oh, oh, I really wanna be your lover, girl
Oh, I really wanna be your lover
It seems the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
I really wanna be your lover, girl
I really wanna be your lover
Don't you know the lovers, the lovers win every time
You must hold on to the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Wanna be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Here with me, girl)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, oh)
The lovers win every time
You must hold on to, yeah, the love that you find
In the world of mass confusion one thing I find
It seems the lovers win every time, oh, baby
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I got to be, babe)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Want to be your number)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, love you, girl)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Oh, oh, oh)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I wanna be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Got to be your lover)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (I wanna be your man)
I really wanna be, I really wanna be your lover (Hey, lady)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
You Were Meant to Be My Lady (Not My Girl) Lyrics as written by James Harris Iii James Samuel Iii Harris
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.