I Gotta Be Somebody

(album: The Joe South Story - 1971)

I never had any reason
For ambition or drive
In fact I never had nobody
That cared if I'm alive

But then one day she came my way
And I heard a voice within me say
"Don't let her get away
Whatever you do"

But I never thought
That this could be
That she would ever
Look at me seriously

And that's why
Oh Lord, oh Lord
I gotta be somebody
Yes, I have
I'm down on my knees
And I'm begging please, please, please, please
I've gotta win her love for me

I grew up on the sidewalks
Got along the best I could
Mama worked all day long
And Papa was no good

I never asked for much before
But here I am at Heaven's door
So help me, please
Don't let her pass me by

'Cause I would rather die than see
Her love turn into sympathy for me

And that's why
Oh Lord, oh Lord
I gotta be somebody
Yes, I have
I'm down on my knees
And I'm begging please, please, please, please
I've gotta win her love for me

Mm-hmm-hmm-mm
Gotta be somebody
Yes, I have
Gotta be somebody
I'm tired of being a nobody

Oh Lord, oh Lord
Know, I gotta be somebody
Yes, I have
Down on my knees
Begging please, please, please
I've gotta win her love for me