Affection

Back In Your Life version - Chords | Chordpro | Chords (capo 1) | Chordpro (capo 1) | Lyrics (also appears on Back in your Life +4, The Berserkely Years, Mega 20 Track Album, Roadrunner Roadrunner and Roadrunner)
I'm So Confused version - Chords | Lyrics (also appears on I'm So Confused (with bonus tracks))
Live In Bristol 1978 version - Chords | Lyrics
Pinkpop 1978 version - Chords | Lyrics (also appears on 3 Soundboard Shows 1978-1979 (second one))
Quiet Knight Club 1978 version - Chords | Lyrics
3 Soundboard Shows 1978-1979 version (first one) - Chords | Lyrics
The Catalyst version - Chords | Lyrics
The International House version - Chords | Lyrics
Live in New York 1980 version - Chords | Lyrics
Left Bank version - Chords | Lyrics
Bookies version - Chords | Lyrics
Rex Club 1982 version - Chords | Lyrics
College Rock Hour version - Chords | Lyrics
Live at McCabe's version - Chords | Lyrics
Torino Italy 1985 version - Chords | Lyrics
Live In Germany 1985 version - Chords | Lyrics
Heartbreak Club version - Chords | Lyrics
Notes

Well, [G#m] people all over the world,
[F#] people all over the world,
[G#m] people all over the world are [B] starvin'
just for af[G#m]fection. [F][G#m][B]

Well, but to [G#m] me this ain't funny
To [F#] me this is real
So I [G#m] thought I'd tell everybody
[B] How I feel
About af[G#m]fection [F#]
I said af[G#m]fection. [B]

Now, you guys, you all [G#m] know that your friend Jonathan likes to [F#] eat food a lot.
[G#m] And I like to do other things, [B] I like to run around, jump, but [G#m] affection is the most important [F#] thing to me. I'd trade everything [G#m] else in a minute... [B]
You know, I [G#m] used to starve for af[F#]fection
I blamed the [G#m] world, and it could be the world's fault, I [B] suppose
But I was a [G#m] snob, the type who said, "I don't have time for [F#] them,"
And the type who says, [G#m] "I have nothing in common with [B] those."
But then I [G#m] relaxed a little
And I [F#] met more folks who liked me
And they [G#m] helped me to reach out and [B] give
And that [G#m] helped me to get more of af[F#]fection
[G#m] And that helped me to [B] live.
So I say that [G#m] people all over the world are good,
[F#] People all over the world ain't bad,
[G#m] But if they keep bein' snobs about it,
[B] They ain't gonna get what they wish they had
And that's [G#m] affection [F#]
[G#m] Affection. [B]

Well, [G#m][F#][G#m][B]
there's [G#m] telephones, televisions, and [F#] cars, yes
And there's [G#m] records and books and magazines for [B] you.
But poor [G#m] affection sits there standing in the [F#] corner,
Saying to itself, [G#m] "I wish someone would give me something to [B] do."
Well, I know it [G#m] takes nerve to reach out and give af[F#]fection
To folks who [G#m] seem to want your touch but you can't [B] tell.
Cause they can [G#m] laugh at you, and that's re[F#]jection,
[G#m] And you probably won't like that so [B] well.
But I say that [G#m] people all over the world are good.
[F#] People all over the world ain't bad.
[G#m] But if they keep on chickenin' out,
[B] They won't get what they wish they had
[G#m] Affection [F#]
That's [G#m] affection [B]
I know they want [G#m] affection [F#]
I know they want [G#m] affection. [B]

Well, [Gm] people all over the world,
[F] people all over the world,
[Gm] people all over the world are [Bb] starvin'
just for af[Gm]fection. [F][Gm][Bb]

Well, but to [Gm] me this ain't funny
To [F] me this is real
So I [Gm] thought I'd tell everybody
[Bb] How I feel
About af[Gm]fection [F]
I said af[Gm]fection. [Bb]

Now, you guys, you all [Gm] know that your friend Jonathan likes to [F] eat food a lot.
[Gm] And I like to do other things, [Bb] I like to run around, jump, but [Gm] affection is the most important [F] thing to me. I'd trade everything [Gm] else in a minute... [Bb]
You know, I [Gm] used to starve for af[F]fection
I blamed the [Gm] world, and it could be the world's fault, I [Bb] suppose
But I was a [Gm] snob, the type who said, "I don't have time for [F] them,"
And the type who says, [Gm] "I have nothing in common with [Bb] those."
But then I [Gm] relaxed a little
And I [F] met more folks who liked me
And they [Gm] helped me to reach out and [Bb] give
And that [Gm] helped me to get more of af[F]fection
[Gm] And that helped me to [Bb] live.
So I say that [Gm] people all over the world are good,
[F] People all over the world ain't bad,
[Gm] But if they keep bein' snobs about it,
[Bb] They ain't gonna get what they wish they had
And that's [Gm] affection [F]
[Gm] Affection. [Bb]

Well, [Gm][F][Gm][Bb]
there's [Gm] telephones, televisions, and [F] cars, yes
And there's [Gm] records and books and magazines for [Bb] you.
But poor [Gm] affection sits there standing in the [F] corner,
Saying to itself, [Gm] "I wish someone would give me something to [Bb] do."
Well, I know it [Gm] takes nerve to reach out and give af[F]fection
To folks who [Gm] seem to want your touch but you can't [Bb] tell.
Cause they can [Gm] laugh at you, and that's re[F]jection,
[Gm] And you probably won't like that so [Bb] well.
But I say that [Gm] people all over the world are good.
[F] People all over the world ain't bad.
[Gm] But if they keep on chickenin' out,
[Bb] They won't get what they wish they had
[Gm] Affection [F]
That's [Gm] affection [Bb]
I know they want [Gm] affection [F]
I know they want [Gm] affection. [Bb]

Well, people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

Well, but to me this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
How I feel
About affection
I said affection.

Now, you guys, you all know that your friend Jonathan likes to eat food a lot.
And I like to do other things, I like to run around, jump, but affection is the most important thing to me. I'd trade everything else in a minute...
You know, I used to starve for affection
I blamed the world, and it could be the world's fault, I suppose
But I was a snob, the type who said, "I don't have time for them,"
And the type who says, "I have nothing in common with those."
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more folks who liked me
And they helped me to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more of affection
And that helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they keep bein' snobs about it,
They ain't gonna get what they wish they had
And that's affection
Affection.

Well,
there's telephones, televisions, and cars, yes
And there's records and books and magazines for you.
But poor affection sits there standing in the corner,
Saying to itself, "I wish someone would give me something to do."
Well, I know it takes nerve to reach out and give affection
To folks who seem to want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh at you, and that's rejection,
And you probably won't like that so well.
But I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
But if they keep on chickenin' out,
They won't get what they wish they had
Affection
That's affection
I know they want affection
I know they want affection.

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

and to me this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection

well I've starved people ??? for affection
I blame the world
and it's probably the world's fault
that's true
but i was a snob who said
I don't have time for those people
so it was partly my own fault too
well then I relaxed a little
and I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And affection helped me to live.
So I say people all over the world they're good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
if everybody be snobs like I've been,
They won't get what they wish they had
affection

People are starvin just to be touched
People are starvin just to be hugged
and kissed

well, you've got radio and magazines and cars
and there's telephones and books everywhere
but plain old affection sits there over in the corner
and it says "hmmm, it's like they've forgotten that I'm there"
you know it takes gall to reach out and try affection
on people who may want touch but you can't tell
cause they can laugh and that's like rejection
and you probably won't like that very well
but I say
people all over the world they're good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
if everybody keeps on chickenin' out,
They won't get what they wish they had
Affection

(Jonathan, you're scaring us, you think this is the part of the song where everybody has to like do the group hug and stuff. We don't even like our neighbour ??? what we have to do now, no, no worry no, that's no good, ??? we're not going to do that, ok, ??? this song ??? about anyway, it's just if you do feel like it, don't chicken out, that's all, is that all you're saying? yeah. oh, ok)

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

you know people all over the world,
people all over the world
are lonely and are starvin'
for affection.
are starving for affection.

and to me that ain't funny
To me it's real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection
and they are starvin for affection

(these Fender guitars are indestructable.
This one was made in 1963 and it will never die)

so now we got electronics everywhere
there's tons and tons of records
and yes there's books and there's magazines for you
but poor affection
sits there over in the corner
saying to itself "you know, I wish I had more to do"
and I know it takes courage
to reach out to people
when they seem to want your love but you can't tell
cause they can always laugh or misunderstand you
And you probably won't like that so well

But I say that people all over the world are good.
and People all over the world ain't bad.
But if keep on chickenin out
then no one will get what they wish they had
which is Affection
and I know they're starving for affection

I used to blame the world
when I got no affection
and the world doesn't give affection easy, that's true
But I was a snob, and I said, "I don't time for them"
so it was my fault too
then I learned to relax a little
And I met more people who just liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection ladies and gentlemen
And this helped me to live.
and I say that people all over the world are good,
and People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they keep these thoughts like that
They won't get what they wish they had
which is affection
starving for Affection

you know the stars have got no affection
and I believe in the world, and the world's at fault I suppose
yeah I was a snob who said "well I don't have time for those people"
"and I don't have nothing in common with those"
well I know it takes nerve to reach out to people
when they seem to want a touch from you but you can't tell
well they can always laugh at you
or misunderstand how you meant it
and I don't think anyone likes that too well
but I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they keep on chickening out
They won't get what they really wish they had
which is affection
you know they're craving for Affection.
you know they're starving for Affection
people need to be touched
people need to be birthday kissed
people need to be touched
well they need to be simply hugged and kissed

some people are starving for it
some people are craving for it
some people are needing others
well the people ??? need you
??? affection
???
well affection is hard to get
... affection

well we ... tickets .... we I was little
message for you we have a brand new tune we'd like to try out on ya see how you like it

Well now everywhere we go
everywhere I've been
I see people all over the world,
who are starvin'
just for simple affection.

and to me this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection
affection.

well, you televisions and ???? and types of records
and there's books and there's magazines for you
But poor affection sits there over in the corner
Saying to itself, "I wish I had more work to do."
I know it takes courage to reach out to people
when they seem to want your touch but you can't tell
cause they can always laugh at you or misunderstand you
And you probably won't like that too well
But I say that people all over the world are good.
and People all over the world ain't bad.
But if they keep on chickenin' out,
they'll never get what they wish they had
and that's affection
and I know they're starving for affection

I used to be mad at the world
cause I got no affection
and the world may be hard I suppose
But I was a snob, I said, "but I don't time for those people,"
And I said, "I don't think I have anything in common with those."
then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more of affection
And that helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
and People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they keep on chickening out
They won't get what they wish they had
And that's affection
and I know they're starving for Affection.
I know they're craving Affection.
I know they're starving for it

(we'd like to do another brand new tune for you, and we're probably gonna call this tune simply, just simply "affection")

I've been told that people all over the world,
people all over the world,
I've heard that people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

and I believe this is true
cause I can show you
people whose backs and shoulders ???
cause they're starvin
people whose shoulders are all hunched over
cause they're starvin for affection

to me this song is not funny
To me this is real
and I want to tell everybody
How I feel
About affection
about affection.

it is important to me
just in my daily life I need friend's love
I need to be touched during the day
or there's a lonliness late at night
a lonliness late at night
a starving just like any other
and I don't mean sex right now
I just mean simple affection

I used to get less affection than I get now
cause I had a chip on my shoulder
and I wouldn't give some joy to get some
and I used to curse the world because I'd rather get some [them?]
I took the chip off my shoulder and tried to give
some people helped me and they helped me to live
I believe that people all over the world are good
people all over the world ain't bad
but if they keep that chip on their shoulder
they ain't gonna get what they wish they had
and that's affection
I'm talkin about affection
oh yeah

I believe in what I say
I believe in what I think
when I think about affection
to me it's just about everything
If I knew the world ???
well I might as well go home
we could make this world warm
and i want to
well we could make this world warm
and I want to

good night, ladies and gentlemen, this is the end of this particular show, cause after I say what I feel about affection, that's all I want to say

and well old Curly Electreson ??? had to a be replace a
he went to the U of C
so we got Asa
Asa ???

people all over the world,
everywhere we go
we find people all over the world simply starvin'
for affection.
for affection.

and to me it isn't funny
To me this is real
So I figured we'd tell everybody
the way we feel
About affection
and our people need plain old affection.

now we got tv
and there's stereos with tons of records
yes and there's books and magazines everywhere
but plain old affection
sits there over in the corner
it wonders "does anyone remember that I'm still here?"
and I know it takes courage
to reach out to people
when they seem to want your touch but you can't tell
cause they can always laugh or misunderstand you
And you probably won't like that so well.

But I say that people all over the world are good.
and People all over the world are not bad.
But if someone don't start it first
We won't get what we wish we had
which is Affection
and I know they're starving for affection

I used to blame the world
cause I got no affection
and it's lonely in the world I suppose
But I used to be a snob, I'd say, "oh I don't time for those people,"
And I used to say, "well I don't have anything in common with those."
then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who just liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And that helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
and People all over the world aren't bad,
But if they keep on chickening out
They won't get what they wish they had
which is affection
and I know they need Affection.
that's all they need

well now people all over the world,
people all over the world
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection now
affection

and to me that ain't funny
To me that am real
So I figured I'd better tell everybody
the way I feel
About people needing affection

you know I used to starve for this same affection
I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
so it was also my fault too
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
And that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And ladies and gentlemen affection helped me to just plain live.
So I'm sayin that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world are not bad,
But if they be snobs the way that Jonathan's been
They simply won't get what they wish for
which is affection now
are starvin for Affection

Well now,
you got televisions, and record players and cars
And there's magazines and books everywhere
But poor old affection sits there over in the corner,
and it says to itself, "I think they've forgotten that I'm still there"
you know it takes guts to reach out and try affection
on folks who maybe want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh at you, and misunderstand you,
And you probably won't like that very well.
But I say that people all over the world they're good.
People all over the world are not bad.
But if everyone keeps on chickenin' out,
no one's gonna get what they really wish they had
which is Affection
cause people are starving for affection

you know it's hard for a man to just hug a woman a lot of the time
she's gonna think you simply want her to sleep with you
and it's even harder I bet for a woman just wants to hug a man she might like
cause he's gonna misunderstand the same way too
and it's even hard for Daddy's to touch their own kids a lot of the time
like we've been brainwashed against it all somewhere through and through
?? your chance you say
"yeah, ok Jonathan that's fine but what about all the people that don't have that problem they have an easy time touchin each other you got to sing about them too"
and I'll say "ok but even a lot of them are secretly glad when it's through"

so I say now
customs all over the world are different
different folks in every land
If you show me a happy land
I'm gonna show you a land where they understand
Affection now
cause they're starvin for affection now
what do I mean by that?

I mean they're starvin just to be touched you know
well they're starvin just to be hugged

people all over the world, bang
people all over the world, boom
people all over the world are starvin
for Affection

oh Well, people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world they are starvin'
for affection.
??? just plain old affection

and to me this ain't funny
To me it's real
??? tell everybody
that way I feel
??? affection
because people are starving for plain old affection, you know

take me Jonathan
I used to starve for affection
I blamed the world, and it could be the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
???
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
And they encouraged me to reach out and give
And folks that helped me to get more affection
And ??? that helped me ??? live.
I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world are not bad,
???,
They'll never get what they wish they had
which is affection
people are starving for Affection

you know ???
??? sleep with you
must be harder ???
they're gonna misunderstand the same way too
??? daddies to touch their own children
???
??? ok Jonathan sure but what about the people that don't have this problem and enjoy touching each other
???
but even some of them are secretly glad when it's through
and i say that people all over the world are different
different people in every land
??? show me a happy land
I'll show you a land where they understand
affection
cause people are starving for affection

Well now, people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for plain old affection.
I said simple affection

and folks to me this ain't funny
To me this is real
So I figured I'd better tell everybody
the way Jonathan feels
About folks needin affection now
cause they're starvin for simple affection

I'm ain't even talkin about sex
I'm talkin about hugs and kisses
I'm talkin about affection now

(take me, I'm 29, I just turned 29
when I was 18 or 19 I lived
in New York here myself
so I can tell you a little about this)

You know, I used to starve for affection
and I blamed the world, and it could be the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, the type who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
so it was also partly my fault too
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And folks that helped me to get more affection
And ladies and gentlemen that fact has helped me to just plain live.
So I say now people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they be snobs like old Jonathan's b'n,
They never get what they wish they had
which is affection
ah ....
cause they're starvin for Affection.
(what you say?)
ah ....

And there's records and books and magazines for you.
But poor old affection sits there standing in the corner,
and it says to itself, "I wish they'd give me something to do."
I know it takes guts to reach out and give affection
To the folks who seem to need your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can always laugh at you, and that's rejection,
And you probably won't like that very well.
But I say that people all over the world they're good.
People all over the world they're not bad.
But if they keep on chickenin' out,
They'll never get what they wish they had
Affection
ah ...
cause they're starvin after all for affection now
people are starvin just to be touched
they're just starvin to simply to hugged
have their body hugged and kissed
cause then, you know, a little bit of affection now

you know it's hard for a man to just hug some woman he might like
cause she just gonna think a lot of times that you just want her to sleep with you
it must be even harder for a woman to just hug a man
cause well often misunderstand the same way too
Is that right?
It's even hard for fathers to touch their own children alot
like we've been brainwashed against it somewheres through and through
well now you can say "yeah Jonathan but what about all the people who enjoy touching each other and just like it?
I'll say, "sure but even many of them are secretly glad when it's through"
so i say that
customs all over the world are different
different people in every land
if you show me a happy land
it has to be a land where they understand
affection now
ahh...
cause people are starvin for old affection you know
I say they're starvin just to be touched
well they're cravin in their body to be hugged
??? hugged and kissed
because they need affection

Well now, people all over the world,
people all over the world are lonely a lot,
and they're starving
just for plain old affection.

and to me that's not funny
To me it's real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
the way I feel
About people needing affection

I have often starved for affection
I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, who said, "oh I don't have time for those people,"
so it's partly my own fault too
what did i do then?
then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
they gave me the courage to reach out more and give
And that attitude helped me to get more affection in my life
And affection helped me to just plain live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world are not bad,
But if everyone keeps on being like I was
no one's gonna get what they wish they had
which is affection
Affection.

people are starving for affection
people are starving to just be touched
people are starving to just be hugged and kissed

Well, you got stereos and there's record players and there's cars
and there's also magazines and books everywhere
But plain old affection is still sitting there over in the corner,
and it Says to itself, "It's like they forgot that I'm still there."
you know it takes nerve to reach out and try affection
on people who might want your touch but you can't tell.
beCause they can always laugh at you, or misunderstand you you know,
And you probably not gonna like that very well.
But I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
But if everyone keeps on chickenin' out,
no one will get what they wish they had
which is Affection

you know
you know it's hard for men to just hug a woman
she's gonna think you just want her to sleep with you
it's even harder for a woman to just hug a man
cause he's gonna misunderstand the same way too
but it's even harder for daddies to just touch their own children a lot of the time
like we've been brainwashed somewhere through and through
well now it's your chance to say
"all right Jonathan but what about some of us people who have an easy time touching each other and don't have this problem you sing about? what about us? aren't you going to sing about us?"
and I say "yeah, but even a lot of you are secretly glad when you're through"
But I say that people all over the world are different.
different customs in every land
if you show me a happy land
I'm going to show you a land where people understand
??? affection

people are starving for affection you know
people are starving just to be touched ???
people are starving to just be hugged and kissed
cause they need
affection

people all over the world,
all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for simple affection

Well, to me this ain't funny
To me this it's real
So I thought I'd tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection
people need just affection

I used to starve for affection
I blamed the world, it could be the world's fault, I suppose
But I was a snob who said, "I don't have time for them,"
And I said, "I have nothing in common with those."
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more folks who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And it helped me to get affection
and affection has helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if they be snobs the way i've been
they'll miss out on what they wish they had
which is affection
people are starving for Affection

Well, we got lot's of electronic things and stereos in cars
And there's magazines and books for you.
But plain old affection sits there over in the corner,
and it says, "I wish I had more work to do."
I say it takes guts to reach out and give affection
To people who maybe want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh at you, or misunderstand you
And you probably won't like that very well.
But I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
if they all keep on chickenin' out,
They won't get what we wish we had
which is Affection
people are starving for affection

you know it's hard for a man to just even hug a woman
she's gonna think that you want her to sleep with you
it's even harder for a woman to have a guy that she just feels like huggin
cause he's gonna misunderstand the same way too
well it's even harder for Daddys to touch their own children
sometimes like we've been brainwashed against it through and through
now you'll say "now wait a minute Jonathan that doesn't apply to us"
"we have an easy time touching each other, that only applies to some people, what are you going to sing about the people that don't have this problem." And I'll say very good, but even some of you are secretly glad when you're through

so I say that
people all over the world are different
different cause it's ???
you show me a happy land
and I'll show you a land where they understand
affection
people are starving for affection (all over the world)
all over the world they're starving to be touched
all over the world people are starving to be hugged more
all over the world people are starving just to be kissed
cause they need affection

(??? I've been, whereever I've been all over the world I've found that people are starving for affection, that's right, ??? I don't think it's funny so I came to tell this story how I feel about affection)

Well now, people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection

Well now, to me though it's not funny
To me this is real
I came here to tell everybody
about something I feel
this being affection (I have friends ???)
starving for affection.
they get big and fat, they eat food but really they wish they had affection, so ??

what about you Jonathan? I'll tell you about me
at different times I've starved for affection
I blamed the world, (Pardon I can't understand French, say it in English please, pardon, ennuciate sir, no it is not, it had not even just begun)

at different times I've starved for affection
I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault I suppose
But I was I say a snob, I said, "I do not have time for those people,"
also, "I have nothing in common with those."
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage (oh you want to ???)
the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more of affection
and ladies and gentlemen
affection helped me to just plain live
So I say that people all over the world are good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
if everyone keeps on chickening out
no one's gonna get what they wish they had
And that's affection
they're starving just for Affection

Well now you got records and discos and cars,
and there's hifis and books for you

But plain old affection sits there over in the corner,
and it says to itself, "I wish I had more things to do."
you know it takes guts to reach out and try affection
on people who maybe want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh at you, or try and misunderstand you,
And you probably won't like that so well.
But I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
But if everyone be snobs the way I've been
They'll miss out on what they wish they had
which is Affection
starving for affection

you know it's ??? for a man to just touch a woman sometimes
she's gonna be sure you just want her to sleep with you
it's even harder for a woman to just hug a man
he's gonna misunderstand the same way too
it's even ??? for fathers to touch their own children
like we got brainwashed against it somewhere through and through
??? I've given you a big chance to say
Yes Jonathan but some of us have an easy time touching each other
but what about us we do not have this problem you see, what about us
I'll say, fair enough, but even some people like that are secretly glad when they're through
So I say that people all over the world, they're different
different customs in every land
If you show me a happy land
I'll show you a land where they understand
affection
people are starving for affection

people are starving simply to be hugged, you know
they're starving to be kissed, cause they need affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world have been found starving
for affection.

but to me that's not funny
To me this is real
So I came to tell everybody
How I feel
About affection

I have starved before, before affection
I've blamed the world, it's partly the world's fault, I think
But used to be a snob and say, "I don't have time for those people "

But then I relaxed a little
And met more people who liked me, you know
that gave me the courage to reach out and give, (well tell them what you thought you know)
it helped me to get more affection (well was that important? well)
affection helped me just plain live.
So I say that people all over the world they're good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
if everyone be snobs the way I've b'n
ok, they'll miss out on something they wish they had
affection

people, it's hard to get too much of Affection, it's hard for people to get
people need all the time to be hugged
people need all the time to be kissed
without feelin embarassed by asking though ???

you got lots of things to occupy
lots of cars you know
there's lots of tech hifi and techical things
books for you
but affection's over there in the corner, more or less you know
saying "I need more work to do"
It takes nerve to reach out ??? affection
maybe ??? wander up, but you can't tell
??? laugh at you, or misunderstand what you meant
and you probably won't like that so well ????
but I say that people all over the world are good.
People all over the world are not bad.
But if they keep on chickenin' out,
They won't get what they wish they had
Affection

you can't overrate
people need to be touched
not, Jonathan don't,
I don't want the thing where you just hug and kiss everyone when you feel like it or not
you're not telling us to do that?
no no
then what are you telling us to do that might be different from our daily routine?
oh, I just mean if you do feel like it just don't chicken out for fear of what the other person is going to interpret
oh
that's not quite the same
not at all, no

it's hard for a man to hug a woman
(a lot of times he doesn't know her too well you know)
she's gonna figure she, you just want her to sleep with you
well, maybe it's harder for a woman to just hug a man
cause he's gonna misunderstand often the same way too
it's even hard for daddies to touch their own children a lot
maybe we've been brainwashed somewhere through and through

(well hold on Mr. Richman, just a minute here, are you suggesting? look some of us have an easy time huggin and kissin families who were brought up with lots of love and affection and everyone hugs and kisses, we don't need anymore and we got
good, that's good, but you know just some people who say that you know are secretly glad when they're through)

so I say that people all over the world they're different
different customs in every land.
you show me a happy land
I'll show you a land where people understand
Affection
people are starving for affection
???

Ok, it's time to introduce the Modern Lovers
the singer on the left is Jamie Hawkins
next to her is Elly Marshall
our drummer is the sultan Michael Gardivacio ???
senior member modern lover is Mr. Greg curly ???
??? bad on that bass
one more
yeah
and the newest modern lover
is our saxaphone player Carla Browly ???

people are starving just to be touched you know
people are starving to be kissed you know

I said people all over the world
people all over the world, that's right
people all over the world
are starvin for affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.
they're starvin for affection

but to me that's not funny
To me that's real
So I'm here to tell everybody
How I feel
About affection
people are starving for affection.

I'll tell you about myself
i've starved at different times for affection
I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
so it was partly my own fault too
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
and that's how I got more affection
and affection helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world they're good,
People all over the world aren't bad,
But if everyone be snobs the way i've been,
they'll miss out on what they wish

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

and to me that ain't funny
To me that's real
So I'm here to tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection

at different times I've starved for affection
well I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, I suppose
But I was a snob, who said, "well I don't have time for those people,"
"and I have nothing in common with those."
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And affection helped me to just plain live.
So I say that people all over the world they're good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
if everybody be snobs like I've been ???,
They won't get what they wish they had
affection

I said
people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

look
sometimes it's hard
a man just might want to hug a woman sometimes
she's gonna think you just want her to sleep with you
I'll bet it's even harder a woman might, look here folks you know, want to hug a man
a lot of times he's gonna misunderstand the same way too
it's even hard for daddy's to love their own children
like we got brainwashed against it somewhere through and through
here's your chance to say:
"Jonathan Jonathan, It's nice of you to come all this way and sing this song to us about affection, but in this audience a lot of us already hug and kiss everyone we want to. Thank you Jonathan but we don't need the song you know"
and I'll say
"Oh that's good, it's just that some people who say that are secretly glad when they're through"
So I say that people all over the world they're different,
different customs in every land
you show me a happy land
I'll show you a land where they understand
Affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
just for affection.

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

and to me that ain't funny
To me that's real
So I came here to tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection

now I've starved before
for affection
and I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, that's true
But I was a snob, the type who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
so its partly my own fault too

But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me the courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And affection helped me to live.
So I say that people all over the world they good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
But if everbody be snobs like I've b'n,
They won't get what they wish they had
affection

sometimes it's hard for a man to just hug a woman
she's gonna think that you just want her to sleep with you
it's even harder for a woman to hug a man, I'll bet
cause he's gonna misunderstand it the same way too
it's even hard for daddys to hug their own children
like we maybe got brainwashed about this somewhere through and through
here's your chance now to say
"Jonathan, it's nice of you to come here and sing this song about affection for us
but many of us already hug and kiss everyone we want to already
I don't think we really need the song you know"
I say "oh, that's good
it's just that some people who say that are secretly glad when they're through"
So I say that people all over the world are different,
different customs in every land,
you show me a happy land,
I'l show you a land where they understand
affection
cause people are starvin to be hugged
and kissed

"Jonathan, are you telling us to hug and kiss people when we don't want to?"
no, that's no good
things are bad enough already
"then what are you suggesting that we do
that would change our daily lives?"
oh, no much, just when you feel like it
don't chicken out
"oh, Is that all?"
yeah that's all I meant
people are starvin to be hugged
starvin to be kissed
people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

but to me that ain't funny
To me it's real
So I'm here to tell everybody
the way I feel
About affection

Now, I have starved before for affection
I blamed the world, and it's partly the world's fault, I think that's true
But I was a snob who said, "I don't have time for those people,"
so it's partly my own fault too
But then I relaxed a little
And I met more people who liked me
that gave me courage to reach out and give
And that helped me to get more affection
And affection helped me just plain live.
So I say that people all over the world they're good,
People all over the world ain't bad,
(ok, people can be snobs like I've been but they'll miss out on other things they deep down)
wish they had
affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

Well now it takes us all to reach out and try Affection
(another verse coming up for you)

well we got lots of record players and stereos and cars
and there's lots of things for you to do everywhere
but plain old affection sits there over in the corner
and says to itself "it's like they've forgotten that I'm there"
it takes gall to reach out with this affection
on folks who maybe want your touch but you can't tell.
Cause they can laugh you know, and that's like rejection,
And you probably won't like that too well.
But I say that people all over the world they're good.
People all over the world ain't bad.
if everybody keeps on chickenin' out,
They won't get what they wish they had
Affection

people all over the world,
people all over the world,
people all over the world are starvin'
for affection.

well now sometimes it's hard for a man to just hug a woman
she gonna think you just want her to sleep with you
it's even harder if a woman just like ??? wants to hug a man
he's often gonna misunderstand the same way too
it's even hard, it get worse, for daddys to hug their own children
like we maybe got brainwashed against it somewhere through and through
here's your chance though of the night to say
" Jonathan, a lot of us here in the audience are looser than you think. We already hug and kiss everyone we want to with ease."
Well that's good. It's just that some people who say that are secretly glad when they're through.
so I say that people all over the world they're different.
different customs in every land
you show me a happy land
I'll show you a land where they understand
Affection

This song is particularly hard for me to transcribe since he talks through a lot of it
I am guessing at some of the keys but it is a place for you to start
On the 3 Soundboard Shows 1978-1979 version it ends with him starting into I'm a little Airplane but the recording stops after the first line. It continues on a separate track (it may just be the recording I have)
At the end of the Live in Bristol 1978 version, he switches into a reggae beat