Introduction to “The One Who Really Loves You” by Mary Wells
Mary Wells, a pioneering figure in the realm of Motown music, delivered a timeless classic with her 1962 single, “The One Who Really Loves You”.
This soulful ballad, penned by the songwriting duo of Holland-Dozier-Holland, showcases Wells’s powerful vocals and emotive delivery, solidifying her status as a rising star in the early 1960s.
Background
“The One Who Really Loves You” is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, capturing the bittersweet longing and heartache experienced when one’s affections are not reciprocated.
Wells’s heartfelt performance conveys the depth of emotion behind the lyrics, drawing listeners into the intimate world of the song’s protagonist.
The song’s arrangement is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, allowing Wells’s vocals to take center stage.
The gentle piano accompaniment provides a melodic foundation, while the restrained rhythm section creates a sense of longing and yearning.
The production values are impeccable, reflecting the high standards set by Motown Records during this era.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Some other girls are filling your head with jiveSo now, you’re acting like you don’t know that I’m aliveLove, you better wake upYeah, before we break upAnd you lose me, little meThe one who really loves youSuzie, only wants you until the day(Only wants you until the day)That she’ll again have her true loveWho’s far, far, away(Her true love, who’s far away)So love, you better wake up (wake up)Yeah, before we break up and you lose me, little meThe one who really loves you (I really love you, yeah-yeah-yeah)Ginny only wants you ’cause she thinks she has to have everyoneMinnie, only wants you‘Cause she thinks that hurting me would be funOh, oh, ohSilly Lilly, you know she doesn’t reallyWant you with a love that’s trueIn fact, there’s no other girlIn this whole wide worldWho can love you like I doThey get tired of youThen, they’re gonna put you down(Put you down, put you down)Then, they ain’t gonna want you hangin’ around(Hangin’ around, hangin’ around)So love, you better wake up (wake up)Yeah, before we break upAnd you lose me, little meThe one who really loves you (I really love you, yeah-yeah-yeah)I-I-I do (yeah-yeah)Really, really, love you(I really love you, yeah-yeah-yeah)Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, ooh-ooh (yeah-yeah)(I really love you)