Tonight’s singer was called the King of Rock and Soul, and he sang like a preacher, because he was one. In this song he talks as much as he sings.
Learn from Songs · Unit 9a: Zero and first conditionals · B1
If You Need Me
Solomon Burke’s soul sermon of loyalty: the first conditional (If you need me, I’ll be there), if + imperative (If you need me, call me), unless, and in case, with Philo, Sophia, Marcos and Demetria.
SOPHIA
PHILO
What does he say?
SOPHIA
That the woman who left him can always come back. If she needs him, all she has to do is call. He will be there.
DEMETRIA
That’s very loyal.
Before you listen: the song
New York, 1963
Solomon Burke (1940–2010) grew up in Philadelphia and was preaching in his family’s church when he was only seven. He became one of the first great soul singers, mixing gospel, country and rhythm and blues, and he called himself the King of Rock and Soul.
“If You Need Me” was written by Wilson Pickett with Robert Bateman and Sonny Sanders. Pickett sent a demo to Atlantic Records, but Atlantic gave the song to Solomon Burke. Both men released their versions in 1963. Burke’s version, with its spoken sermon in the middle, became the bigger hit, and Pickett never forgot it.
In the song, the woman has gone. But if she needs him, he will be there: if she calls, he will come. He will always be her friend.
A true friend is there when you call.
Listen: the promise
PHILO
Listen once. What must she do if she needs him? Listen to the spoken part in the middle.
SOPHIA
Then answer Section A.
📞 Listen to the song: “If You Need Me” (Wilson Pickett, Robert Bateman and Sonny Sanders, 1963), sung by Solomon Burke.Find the recording →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “If You Need Me”, Solomon Burke.Read the lyrics →
First conditional
MARCOS
If you need me, I’ll be there. If you call, I’ll come.
SOPHIA
If + present simple, will + infinitive for a real possibility in the future. No will after if: never “if you will need me”. You can change the order: I’ll come if you call.
If + imperative
DEMETRIA
If you need me, call me. If you’re cold, take my cloak.
SOPHIA
If + present simple, imperative for instructions and offers: If you have any questions, ask me.
Unless and in case
PHILO
I’ll be there unless you tell me to go away. Take some bread in case you get hungry.
SOPHIA
unless = if not: I’ll come unless it rains. in case = because it might happen (a precaution): Take an umbrella in case it rains. Both take the present simple for the future.
Sophia’s comparison: Ruth’s promise
PHILO
Ruth said to Naomi: where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people.
SOPHIA
And Achilles and Patroclus: when Patroclus needed help, Achilles was sulking in his tent. When he finally came, it was too late. So the Greeks learned the lesson the hard way.
DEMETRIA
Be there when they call. Not afterwards.
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + present simple, will + infinitive | first conditional | If you call, I’ll come. |
| If + present simple, imperative | instructions, offers | If you need me, call me. |
| unless + present simple | = if not | I’ll come unless it rains. |
| in case + present simple | a precaution | Take bread in case you get hungry. |
| will + infinitive if… | other order | I’ll be there if you need me. |
Practice
Listen to the song for Section A, then do the rest. Press “Check my answers” at the end. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Listen: the song
Listen to the song and choose the best answer.
1. What will he do if she needs him?
2. What does she have to do?
3. What is special about the middle of the song?
4. Who wrote the song?
5. Whose version was the bigger hit?
6. What did Solomon Burke call himself?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. If you need me, I be there.
8. If you , I’ll come. (call)
9. If you need me, me. (call, imperative)
10. I’ll come it rains. (= if it doesn’t rain)
11. Take some bread in you get hungry.
12. I’ll help you if you me. (ask)
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “If you will need me, I’ll come.”
14. “Take a coat in case it gets cold.”
15. “I’ll go unless it doesn’t rain.”
16. “If you have a question, ask me.”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Promises. Make five promises to a partner with If you…, I’ll… and two with unless. Then give two pieces of advice with in case.
Discuss. 1. Who would you call if you needed help? 2. What makes a loyal friend? 3. Pickett wrote the song, but Burke had the hit. Is that fair?
Write (100–120 words). A note for a friend. Your friend is starting a new school. Write a note with your phone number and offers of help: if, unless, in case, and if + imperative.
Now play the gamebook: a message for help, and a friend who comes.Play the gamebook →