Have I told you
Lately that I love you?
If I didn’t, darlin’
You see, I’m so sorry
Didn’t I reach out
And hold you
In lovin’ arms?
Well, if I didn’t, oh baby
Well, I’m so sorry
When I realized that you need love too
Gonna spend my life makin’ love to you
Got to be a lover
Have mercy
Forgot to be a lover, babe (Have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover (Have mercy)
Forgot to be a lover
Make it on through to you somehow (Have mercy, baby)
Got to be a lover, babe (Forgot to be a lover)
Woo! Yeah! Woo!
Well, did I ask you
Yes, would you come and share
Oh, share
Oh, the burden and the task
That’s at love’s command?
Didn’t I say
All those lovin’ special things
That you long to hear?
To show how much I care
Well, when I realize
That you need love too
I’m gonna spend my life
Makin’ love to you
Forgot to be a lover
Have mercy
Well, well I worked all day
As hard as I can
Worked all night, didn’t make me a man
(Forgot to be a lover)
Have mercy, ooh
When I realized
That you need love too
Gonna spend my life
Makin’ love to you (Forgot to be a lover)
Got to be a lover, babe
Ooh, have mercy (Have mercy)
Have mercy, baby (Have mercy, baby)
I’m gonna make it on through
To you somehow
So have mercy (Have mercy, have mercy, baby)
Have I told you
Yes, lately that I love you?
If I didn’t, oh baby
Yes, I’m so sorry
Ah, but you know I really love you, baby (Love you, baby)
I really love you, baby (Love you, baby)
I really need you, baby (Need you, baby)
I really want you, baby (Want you, baby)
When I realized
That you need love too
I’m gonna spend my life
Makin’ love
Makin’ love
Makin’ love to you
Well, I worked all day
As hard as I can
Worked all night
It didn’t make me a man, babe
(Forgot to be a lover) (Have mercy)
Ooh, have mercy, baby (Have mercy)
Have mercy, baby (Have mercy)
Ooh, have mercy, baby (Have mercy baby)
Ooh, make it on through
Well, when I realized
That you need love too
I’m gonna spend my life
Gotta spend my life makin’ love to you
Have mercy, baby
Have mercy, baby
I’m gonna love you
Rediscovering Love: A Look into “To Be A Lover”
With “To Be A Lover,” Billy Idol delivers a heartfelt confession wrapped in soulful melodies and passionate vocals. The song explores the theme of neglect in a relationship, with Idol’s narrator expressing regret for having overlooked the emotional needs of his partner. The chorus’s repeated plea, “Have mercy,” underscores the desperation and remorse felt by someone who realizes too late that love requires more than just hard work or intention—it demands attention, affection, and care.
Remorse and Redemption
The lyrics vividly capture a journey from oversight to recognition, as the narrator promises to make amends and devote himself to rekindling intimacy. Lines like “I worked all day…worked all night, didn’t make me a man” highlight the futility of material efforts when emotional connection is missing. Idol’s raw delivery pairs with the song’s driving rhythm, making the message of rediscovered love and commitment both relatable and powerful.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: William Bell, Booker T. Jones
- Artist: Billy Idol
- Release Year: 1986
- Label: Chrysalis Records