These Arms of Mine — Otis Redding Lyrics

"These Arms of Mine" by Otis Redding is a deeply emotive song that expreses a longing for love and connection. The lyrics convey a sense of profound loneliness and a desperate yearning for the affection of a loved one. Redding's soulful voice and the simplicity of the lyrics combine to create a powerful message of desire and emotional need.

The song opens with "These arms of mine, they are lonely, Lonely and feeling blue," imediately setting a tone of isolation and longing. The arms symbolize the narrator's emotional state, representing his desire to embrace and be embraced, to experience the physical manifestation of love and closeness.

The recurring phrase "These arms of mine" emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of this longing. It's not just a general wish for love, but a specific craving to hold and be held by someone special. The words "yearning from wanting you" further underscore the depth of this desire, highlighting a profound emotional void that only the presence of a beloved can fill.

The song’s plea, "And if you would let them hold you, Oh how grateful I will be," is both a request for affection and an acknowledgment of the transformative power of love. It suggests that the act of embracing this person would not only fulfill a deep personal longing but also bring a profound sense of gratitude and contentment.

Towards the end, the song becomes a more direct appeal to the object of his affection: "Come on, come on baby." This shift from expressing longing to directly addressing the beloved adds urgency and intensity to the song's message.

Overall, "These Arms of Mine" is a raw and heartfelt expression of the human need for love, companionship, and physical touch. It’s about the deep human desire to connect with another person on a profound and intimate level.