Needed You Tonight
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Lyrics
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You know I'm waiting there for you
I'd rather learn to live with you and suffer
Than to see you in the arms of another
But now my heart aches a little
Now my heart breaks a little
I lie awake in the middle of a cold, empty room with one light
I needed you tonight
I am not your tool or your born-again fool
I'm not in the mood to serenade sorrow
There was a time that I could get by but this was once upon a lie
My heart aches a little
My heart breaks a little
I lie awake in the middle of a pain with no end in sight
I needed you tonight
Violin is my instrument of choice
It recognizes the pain in my voice
You're the 'Are' in 'Are we gonna make it?'
You put the 't' in 'I just can't take it.'
My heart aches a little
My heart breaks a little
I lie awake in the middle of a cold, empty room with no light
In "Needed You Tonight," Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals sing about the pain of loss and the complexity of relationships. The opening lines "My every breath is a prayer for you / You know I'm waiting there for you" highlight the desperation and longing that the singer feels for their love interest. Despite the pain and suffering they feel, they would rather live with them than see them with someone else.
However, the chorus - "My heart aches a little / My heart breaks a little / I lie awake in the middle of a cold, empty room with one light / I needed you tonight" - reveals that this person is not with them, and the singer is alone with their pain. They are no longer willing to be a tool or a fool for their lover, but they still crave their presence. The use of the violin in the bridge adds to the emotion of the song and underscores the pain expressed in the lyrics.
In conclusion, "Needed You Tonight" is a poignant song that expresses the complexities and pain of relationships. The singer is desperately trying to hold onto their love interest despite the heartache they feel, and the song conveys their desire to be with them through every breath they take.
Line by Line Meaning
My every breath is a prayer for you
Every moment of my existence is devoted to thinking of and praying for you.
You know I'm waiting there for you
You are aware that I am steadfastly waiting for you.
I'd rather learn to live with you and suffer
I am willing to endure hardships if it means that we can spend our lives together.
Than to see you in the arms of another
I would rather suffer loneliness than witness you with someone else.
But now my heart aches a little
Presently, my heart feels a small amount of emotional pain.
Now my heart breaks a little
My heart is beginning to splinter and break.
I lie awake in the middle of a cold, empty room with one light
I am sleeplessly residing in a frigid and desolate space with minimal visibility.
I needed you tonight
I was emotionally reliant on you during this evening.
I am not your tool or your born-again fool
I am not someone who can be easily manipulated or a naive individual re-entering a situation.
I'm not in the mood to serenade sorrow
I am not feeling inclined to perform music that focuses on sadness and despair.
There was a time that I could get by but this was once upon a lie
I was able to survive previously, but that was based on a fabrication.
My heart aches a little
Presently, my heart feels a small amount of emotional pain.
My heart breaks a little
My heart is beginning to splinter and break.
I lie awake in the middle of a pain with no end in sight
I am sleeplessly residing in a never-ending agony.
I needed you tonight
I was emotionally reliant on you during this evening.
Violin is my instrument of choice
I prefer to use the violin as a form of musical expression.
It recognizes the pain in my voice
The violin acknowledges the sorrowful tone of my vocals.
You're the 'Are' in 'Are we gonna make it?'
You are the embodiment of the question regarding our ability to persevere.
You put the 't' in 'I just can't take it.'
You are the reason that I cannot endure any more.
My heart aches a little
Presently, my heart feels a small amount of emotional pain.
My heart breaks a little
My heart is beginning to splinter and break.
I lie awake in the middle of a cold, empty room with no light
I am sleeplessly residing in a frigid and desolate space with no illumination.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER, JASON CONRAD YATES, JUAN DWAYNE NELSON, LEON LEWIS MOBLEY, MICHAEL B. WARD, OLIVER FRANCIS CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind