Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Affection

"Affection" by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, from the album Back In Your Life (1979).

Lyrics:

Well, people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

Well, but to me this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
How I feel
About affection
I said affection.

Now, you guys, you all know that your friend Jonathan likes to eat food a lot.
And I like to do other things, I like to run around, jump, but affection is the most important thing to me. I'd trade everything else in a minute...
You know, I used to starve for affection
I blamed the world, and it could be the world's fault, I suppose
But I was a star of the type who said, "I don't have time for them,"
And the type who says, "I have nothing in common with those."
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more folks who liked me
And they helped me to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more of affection
And that helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they keep bein' snobs about it,
They ain't gonna get what they wish they had
And that's affection
Affection.

Well,
there's telephones, televisions, and cars, yes
And there's records and books and magazines for you.
But poor affection sits there standing in the corner,
Saying to itself, "I wish someone would give me something to do."
Well, I know it takes nerve to reach out and give affection
To folks who seem to want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh at you, and that's rejection,
And you probably won't like that so well.
But I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
But if they keep on chickenin' out,
They won't get what they wish they had
Affection
That's affection
I know they want affection
I know they want affection

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jonathan Richman
• The Modern Lovers

[pissninjah]

this is song is so very "yes".

[Babyhowdy233]

OMG there are no words that can describe just how AMAZING this song is, it moves me to absolute tears every time I hear it! So BEAUTIFUL and so damn true!

[andreasglumm]

I used to sit all alone at home, 16 years old, and this song made me mad, made me real, made me run around..

[oddeye889]

"I like to run around, jump..."

:)

[jahosaphat]

This is so thoughtful it's great.

[lizzacey]

"Well, there's telephones, televisions, and cars, yes

And there's records and books and magazines for you.

But poor affection sits there standing in the corner,

Saying to itself, "I wish someone would give me something to do.""

best lyrics!

[tracijbeez]

thanks for putting this up. lovelovelove

[sonor23]

One of my fave JR songs .