Candi Staton - Honest I Do Love You Lyrics
Lyrics
It's been said more than ten million times or more today
And each time someone said it
It was special in its own little way
Now for the time you didn't believe me
When you heard me say, mmm-hmm
Honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
If I could count up the songs
In my life that have used the word
I'd be humming for days
Melodies some you've never heard
But like no other time you hear it
And you know it's true (and you know it's true)
Honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
Well, well
Tell me 'bout the times
Tell me 'bout the times
Tell me 'bout it, babe
Someone leaned over
And whispered softly in your ear (I love you in your ear)
So many times
So many times
I bet you can't count 'em
Love is the strongest force on this earth
And love is perfect
Why a tongue can accuse
And carry all sorts of bad news (bad news, bad news baby)
A lie will deceive you
And then again it's just low (low)
But there are three little words
That always remain true mmm-hmm
Ooh honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
Yeah, honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
Oh, babe
Honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
Like no other time you heard it
But you know that it's true (and you know that it's true)
Oh baby, mm-hmm
Honest I do
You know I do
I do love you
Video
Candi Staton – Honest I Do Love You ℗ 1978
Meaning & Inspiration
Candi Staton's "Honest I Do Love You," released on the 1995 compilation *Young Hearts Run Free: The Best of Candi Staton*, delves into the profound weight and sometimes fragile nature of expressing genuine love. The song opens by acknowledging how commonplace the phrase "I love you" has become, yet it immediately asserts that each utterance can hold its own unique significance. This sets the stage for the central theme: the struggle for sincerity in a world saturated with pronouncements of affection, and the deep desire for that love to be truly believed. Staton recognizes that the word "love" has been sung and spoken countless times, perhaps to the point of dilution, but she anchors her message in the conviction that her declaration is different, that it possesses an undeniable truth.
The lyrical narrative reflects on the common experiences of hearing sweet words whispered and the undeniable power of love as a foundational force. Staton contrasts this potent, authentic love with the deceptive nature of accusations and lies, recognizing that while the tongue can be a tool for negativity, there are three simple words that endure as truthful. This resonates deeply with biblical principles concerning the power of our words and the importance of integrity. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, exhorts believers to "Speak truthfully to each other" (Ephesians 4:25), highlighting the divine value placed on honesty. Similarly, Proverbs 12:22 states, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Staton's insistence on the "honest" nature of her love echoes this divine commandment to be genuine in our relationships.
The song’s core message is a powerful affirmation of love's enduring truth, even amidst doubt and the superficiality that can permeate human connection. It speaks to the vulnerability of offering one's heart and the yearning for that offering to be received with unwavering trust. This echoes the covenantal love demonstrated by God towards humanity, a love that, though often tested and sometimes met with disbelief, remains steadfast and true. As the Apostle John wrote in his first letter, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Staton’s repetitive and earnest declaration, "Honest I do, you know I do, I do love you," is a testament to the human desire for such absolute, believable affection. It’s a reminder that true love, like the kind God extends, is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound commitment, deeply rooted in sincerity and unwavering truth. The song, in its simplicity and directness, invites listeners to reflect on the authenticity of their own declarations of love and to hold onto the belief in love's ultimate power to be genuine and lasting.