Candi Staton - Someone You Use Lyrics
Lyrics
(I'm just someone you run to
I'm just someone you use)
Just a shoulder to cry on
That's all I've been to you
Just someone to rely on
When your worlds empty and blue
Just someone you can call dear
Whenever you choose
I'm just someone you run to
I'm just someone you use
I'm just someone you can talk to
And that's all I'll ever be
Just a clown you can laugh with
Someone to treat you as you need
I'm just a fool you can love
Anytime you choose
I'm just someone you can run to
I'm just someone you use
I'm just someone you run to
I'm just someone you use
But you know when you need me
My loving heart just can't refuse
Oh, I'm just someone who loves you
I can't win and I can't lose
I'm just someone you run to
I'm just someone you use
I'm gonna say it again
I'm someone you can run to
Whoo... yeah
I'm just someone you use
...
Video
Someone You Use
Meaning & Inspiration
Candi Staton's "Someone You Use," released in 2010 as part of the album *I'm Just a Prisoner*, is a poignant exploration of unreciprocated affection and the painful realization of being taken for granted. While the song's production might draw listeners in with its soul-stirring delivery, the true power of "Someone You Use" lies in its raw, unflinching honesty about a relationship where one person consistently gives while the other only takes. Staton articulates a familiar human experience: the desire to be a source of comfort and strength for a loved one, only to discover that this role is exploited rather than cherished. The lyrics paint a clear picture of someone who is always there for the other, a readily available shoulder to cry on, a confidant in times of despair, and a source of affection whenever the mood strikes. Yet, this consistent availability is not met with equal devotion; instead, it’s reduced to a transactional convenience for the recipient.
The profound sorrow woven throughout the song echoes the scriptural warnings against misplaced trust and the pursuit of worldly validation. Staton's lament, "I'm just someone you run to, I'm just someone you use," can be understood through the lens of Proverbs 14:4, which states, "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but abundant produce comes from the strength of an ox." This verse highlights the natural expectation of reciprocity; effort and resources are meant to yield fruit, and when they don't, there's an inherent imbalance. The song's narrative resonates with the idea of being a "fair-weather friend," someone called upon only when storms gather, but forgotten when the sun shines. This mirrors the sentiment expressed in Galatians 6:10, urging believers to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." While Staton’s song speaks of romantic or platonic relationships, the underlying principle of equitable giving and receiving is a universal one. The repeated assertion, "But you know when you need me, my loving heart just can't refuse," speaks to an innate kindness, a willingness to love even when hurt. This enduring love, though admirable, can become a trap when it enables the continued exploitation of a giving spirit.
The phrase "I'm just a fool you can love anytime you choose" carries a significant weight, suggesting a loss of self-worth and agency in the relationship. This echoes the cautionary words found in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’" While not directly accusing the other party of malice, the song implicitly highlights how such relationships can erode one's sense of value and dignity. The repeated refrain, particularly the resigned yet defiant "I'm gonna say it again," signifies a moment of clarity and self-awareness. It's a breaking point where the pain of being used outweighs the comfort of being needed, even on one's own terms. This dawning realization, that "I can't win and I can't lose" in this dynamic, is a crucial step toward reclaiming one’s emotional and spiritual freedom, a freedom that Christ promises to those who seek truth and liberation from all forms of bondage, including the subtle chains of unhealthy attachments. The song, therefore, serves as a powerful, albeit secular, reminder of the importance of discernment in our relationships, urging us to recognize when our goodness is being taken advantage of and to seek relationships that are built on mutual respect and genuine affection, reflecting the divine love that is both steadfast and just.