One Room Paradise
Embracing Love Over Luxury: Aretha Franklin's One Room Paradise
Lyrics
I don’t need no diamonds (She don’t need)
She doesn't desire diamonds.
And I don’t need no money
She doesn't require money.
(She don’t need, she don’t)
Reiteration of not needing money.
Some people live in castles with
Some people live in large castles with many rooms.
Sixty or seventy rooms (She don’t)
Reiteration of not needing extravagant living.
Some people dream about a penthouse tall
Some dream of a tall penthouse or a moon mansion.
Or a mansion on the moon
Continuation of dreams of luxurious living.
But I got me a little one room paradise
She has a contentment in her small one-room paradise.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Her happiness is amplified by the presence of the man she loves.
And that’s all I need now
Emphasizes that her one-room paradise and love are sufficient.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Reiteration of the importance of the man she loves.
Some girls are crazy about diamonds
Some girls are attracted to diamonds.
(Diamonds)
Others are captivated by pearls.
And some go wild about pearls (Go wild)
Not all girls prioritize material wealth.
Some girls go for a lot of loot
Some desire wealth from someone else's checkbook.
From a checkbook that ain't hers
Highlighting the diversity of desires among girls.
(Sure ain't hers)
But I got me a little one room paradise
Emphasis on the simplicity and fulfillment of her life.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Reaffirmation of the importance of the man she loves.
And that’s all I need now
Reiteration of her satisfaction with her one-room paradise.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Reaffirmation of the significance of the man she loves.
Now, if one day he lucks up
Contemplating the possibility of unexpected wealth.
On a magic pot of gold (Pot of gold)
Imagining a scenario with a magic pot of gold.
I wouldn't mind a little diamond ring or
She wouldn't mind additional luxuries, like a diamond ring or fur coat.
A fur coat for the cold (O oh)
Expressing openness to added comforts.
But if it meant I had to lose
Not willing to sacrifice her current happiness for added wealth.
Just what I've got right now (Right now)
Emphasizing the value of her current situation.
Then I don’t need no gold anyhow (No, no, oh)
Rejecting the idea of gold if it means losing what she has.
I can’t make love with no diamonds (diamonds)
Expressing that love is more important than material possessions.
Give them all to somebody else (anybody)
Willing to give up diamonds for love.
And what good is one hundred rooms
Questioning the value of numerous rooms if one is alone.
If you’re there all by yourself (Yes, you)
Highlighting the loneliness in having many rooms without love.
So I’ll take me my little one room paradise
Reiteration of contentment in her small paradise with her loved one.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Emphasis on the significance of the man she loves.
Well, that’s all I need now
Reaffirmation of her satisfaction with her one-room paradise.
And the man I love (And the man I love)
Reaffirmation of the importance of the man she loves.
I don’t need no diamonds
She reiterates her lack of need for diamonds.
(She don’t need no diamonds)
Reiteration of not requiring money.
Said I don’t need no money
Final declaration of not needing money.
(She don’t need no money, she don’t)
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