“Use Somebody” is a song about the desperate need to find somebody who wants to be with you and fulfill your emotional needs.

In the opening lyrics stanza, Caleb Followill sings:

“I’ve been roamin’ around, always lookin’ down at all I see / Painted faces fill the places I can’t reach / You know that I could use somebody”

Here, the narrator expresses the sentiment that he hasn’t found the person who is right for him. He uses the phrase “painted faces” both literally and figuratively, referring to the superficiality of the women he’s come across. He’s talking about the makeup they literally paint on their face and the vanity that comes with it, but he also refers to the fake expressions that people put on to make how they really feel. Followill goes on to imply that there’s not much going on beneath the surface of their facade.

Who is he singing to?

The song is addressed to someone who appears to fit the singer’s idea of a perfect match in an intimate partner, and the singer naturally desires to catch her eye. The second verse goes into how the object of the narrator’s desires doesn’t think of him that way. Rather, she seems to be perfectly happy on her own.

The singer is worried that other suitors might come her way, and the lyrics describe his attempts to use this trepidation and jealousy to write more songs to hopefully get her to notice him. Through persistence, the woman he’s singing to is convinced in the end that he’s ready for a committed relationship and that she’s the one he needs.

A Hard-to-Remember Writing Process

Kings of Leon singer Caleb Followill was in recovery after multiple surgeries. He had just eaten a big meal and was sipping on a glass of whiskey when the lyrics came to him. He described his mental state as “pretty far gone” by the time he finished writing.

He later blamed the song’s melancholy tone and sad lyrics on his prescribed medication after his operations. Despite his lukewarm feelings toward the number, it’s the one his bandmates kept wanting to play.

Followill can be seen in a Youtube video saying, “And the lyric was kind of a universal thing where I mean, I’ve said it before, but no matter what walk of life you live in, there’s always been a time in everyone’s life when they felt like they need a little hand or they need someone to let them know that what they’re doing is right or is normal and that you’re not weird for needing someone to help you out.”

After Followill’s shoulder surgery, he wanted to get away from it all. He was thus staying at his farmhouse out in the country, and this allowed Caleb to tell himself the truth look himself in the eye with complete vulnerability in his lyrics.

He managed to let all his guards down and write freely without feeling any need to try to act tough. Followill found he was able to accept and openly admit in this song that he depends on other people. The main person he refers to in the lyrics is Lily Aldridge, his wife.

Lyrics

I’ve been roamin’ around, always lookin’ down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can’t reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you and all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you

Off in the night, while you live it up, I’m off to sleep
Wagin’ wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it’s gonna make you notice
I hope it’s gonna make you notice

Someone like me
Someone like me
Someone like me
Somebody

I’m ready now
I’m ready now
I’m ready now
I’m ready now
I’m ready now
I’m ready now
I’m ready now

Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody
Someone like you
Somebody

I’ve been roamin’ around, always lookin’ down at all I see

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Matthew Followill / Jared Followill / Nathan Followill / Caleb Followill

Use Somebody lyrics © Songs Of Southside Independent Music Publishi, Music Of Windswept, Martha Street Music, Followill Music, Windswept Music, Coffee Tea Or Me Publishing, Mcfearless Music, Southside Tunes

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