To love somebody

J.C. Lodge's rendition of 'To Love Somebody' is a heartfelt exploration of unrequited love and the deep emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The song opens with the imagery of a light that has never shone on the narrator, symbolizing a life devoid of the warmth and fulfillment that love brings. This light represents the happiness and completeness the narrator yearns for, which can only be achieved by being with the person they love. The repetition of the desire to live life with this person underscores the depth of their longing and the central role this love plays in their existence.

The lyrics delve into the societal expectations and norms about how one should live and love, but the narrator questions the value of these conventions if they are not with the person they love. This sentiment is poignantly captured in the lines, 'But what does it bring / If I ain't got you, ain't got you.' The chorus, 'You don't know what it's like / To love somebody / The way I love you,' is a powerful declaration of the unique and intense nature of the narrator's feelings, suggesting that their love is profound and perhaps not easily understood by others.

The song also touches on the theme of blindness, both literal and metaphorical. The narrator accuses the object of their affection of being blind to their feelings, while also admitting their own blindness in being unable to see a life without this love. This duality highlights the complexity of their emotions and the struggle between hope and despair. The closing lines, 'I live and breathe for you / But what good does it do / If I ain't got you,' encapsulate the futility and pain of loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings, making 'To Love Somebody' a poignant anthem of unrequited love and emotional vulnerability.