[Verse 1: James DeBarge]
Baby, you are my love, and I don't want you to go, no no no
I know you are the one that I really need now

[Pre-Chorus: James DeBarge, DeBarge]
(Don't go, don't go) Don't go away
Just because you're not my girl don't mean that I can't be your friend
(But if you go) Then let me say
You can rest assured that I'll be right here

[Chorus: James DeBarge, DeBarge]
When you need somebody (Need somebody, yeah)
When you need a friend, yeah yeah (You need a friend)
Someone to hold on to (Need somebody, yeah)
On who you can depend (You need a friend)

[Verse 2: James DeBarge]
Let me tell you, girl
Baby, if you need love, you don't have to go far
My arms will hold you tight right here where you are

[Pre-Chorus: James DeBarge, DeBarge]
(Don't go, don't go) Don't go away
Just because you're not my girl don't mean I can't be your friend
(But if you go) Then let me say
You can rest assured that I'll be right here
[Chorus: James DeBarge, DeBarge]
When you need somebody (Need somebody, yeah)
When you need a friend (You need a friend)
Someone to hold on to (Need somebody, yeah)
On me can depend yeah (You need a friend)
Let me tell you, girl, yeah baby (Need somebody, yeah)
Yeah yeah, baby (You need a friend)
Someone to hold on to (Need somebody, yeah)
Girl, you need a friend (You need a friend)

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus: James DeBarge, DeBarge]
When you need somebody
When you need a friend
Someone to hold on to
On me you can depend, yeah
Let me tell you, girl, yeah, yeah, baby (Need somebody, yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, baby (You need a friend)
Someone to hold on to (Need somebody, yeah)
On me you can depend, yeah yeah (You need a friend)
Ah, I-yi-yi, yeah (Need somebody, yeah)
Ah, I-yi-yi, yeah, alright (You need a friend)
Ah, I-yi-yi, yeah (Need somebody, yeah)
Ah, girl, you need a friend, yeah (You need a friend)
[Outro: James DeBarge]
I know you need somebody, baby
I know you need a friend
Someone you can depend on until the very end
Yeah, yeah, ah-ow
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, ow