If You Don't Know Me By Now

Album: Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes (1971)
Charted: 9 3
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  • If you don't know me by now
    You will never never never know me (oh)

    All the things that we've been through
    You should understand me like I understand you
    Now baby I know the difference between right and wrong
    I ain't gonna do nothing to upset our happy home
    Oh don't get so excited when I come home a little late at night
    'Cause we only act like children when we argue fuss and fight

    If you don't know me by now (if you don't know me)
    You will never never never know me (you'll never, never know me)
    If you don't know me by now(if you don't, if you don't know me baby)
    You will never never never know me(No you won't)

    We've all got our own funny moods
    I've got mine, woman you've got yours too
    Just trust in me like I trust in you
    As long as we've been together it should be so easy to do
    Just get yourself together or we might as well say goodbye
    What good is a love affair when you can't see eye to eye, oh

    If you don't know me by now (if you don't, if you don't know me baby)
    You will never never never know me (hey hey, hey hey, hey hey)
    If you don't know me by now (you will never never never know me)
    You will never never never know me (oh) Writer/s: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., ONErpm, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenWhat John said below was no surprise to me at all. The opening of this and "Take It to the Limit" are almost identical and it always takes me a few seconds to figure out which one it is.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 3rd, 1972 "If You Don't Know Me By Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes peaked at #3 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on September 30th at position #80 and spent 17 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on November 18th, 1972 it reached #1 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    R.I.P. Mr. Melvin (1939 - 1997) and Mr. Pendergrass (1950 - 2010).
  • Mark from Mchenry, IlSo sorry to hear that Teddy has just died. There is not a better vocal anywhere than what he did on this song.
  • Adrien Monk from San Francisco, CaThis was also featured in the Cuba Gooding, Jr movie "Radio".
  • Jennifer from Indianapolis, InI just heard the version recorded by Seal in 2008 for the first time. IMO it is OK, but not nearly as good as the original version or Simply Red's cover.
  • John from Nashville, TnThe Eagles admitted in an interview that the arrangement on "Take It To The Limit" was based on this song.
  • Lars from Columbia(danish Import), ScLove this song. It was featured in the American film, Radio.
  • Adam from Poplar Bluff, MoRicky Gervais' character David Brent on the Office performed this and made a music video of it on the Office Christmas Special.
  • George from Richmond, VaOne of many songs for the love of my life. Thanks for the 22 years, miss you!
  • Pat from Brampton, CanadaThe first two bars of this song and The Eagles' "Take It To the Limit" are virtually identical. But this is apparently coincidental, rather than stealing. "If You Don't Know.." was written and released first.
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