Aaron Neville (born January 24, 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an America… Read Full Bio ↴Aaron Neville (born January 24, 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He made his debut in 1966 with the hit single Tell It Like It Is, a Number One hit on the Billboard R&B charts. From 1977 he performed as part of The Neville Brothers with his siblings, Art Neville, Charles Neville, Cyril Neville & Ivan Neville.

Neville charted again, in 1989, when he collaborated with Linda Ronstadt on three consecutive duets: Don't Know Much, All My Life, and When Something Is Wrong with My Baby, the first two reached Number One on the Adult Contemporary charts. Neville has released more than 20 singles, including three Number Ones on the Adult Contemporary format, and a fourth on the R&B format.

His other hits have included Everybody Plays the Fool, his successful 1991 cover of the 1972 Main Ingredient song, that reached #8 on the Hot 100; Don't Take Away My Heaven, Hercules and Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You (The Rain Song). Neville's biggest solo successes have been on the Adult Contemporary chart, where "Don't Know Much," "All My Life," and "Everybody Plays the Fool" all reached Number One.

Aaron signed to SonyBMG's new Burgundy Records label in late 2005 and recorded an album of songs by Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke and others for Bring It On Home...The Soul Classics, released on September 19, 2006. The album, produced by Stewart Levine, features collaborations between Neville and Chaka Khan, Mavis Staples, Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Art Neville, and others. The album's first single was a remake of The Impressions' 1963 classic It's All Right.

On October 27, 2006, Neville made a guest appearance on an episode of the soap opera The Young and the Restless. He sang Stand By Me" and Ain't No Sunshine, from his album, Bring It on Home … The Soul Classics. In 2008 he released Gold, which includes a double album of his hits.

http://www.aaronneville.com

Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight
Aaron Neville Lyrics

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Just a minute 'fore you leave girl
Just a minute 'fore you touch the door
What is it that you're trying to achieve girl
Do you think we can talk about it some more
You know the streets are filled with vipers
Who've lost all ray of hope
You know it ain't even safe no more
In the palace of the Pope

Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday is just a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's suppose to be
And I need you

Come over here from over there girl
Sit down here you can have my chair
I can't see you going anywhere girl
The only place open is a thousand miles away
And I can't take you there

Oh, I wish I'd a been a doctor
Maybe I'd a saved some lives that been lost
Maybe I'd a done some good in this world
Instead of burning every bridge I crossed

Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday is just a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's suppose to be
And I need you

Oh, I wish I'd a been a doctor
Maybe I'd a saved some lives that been lost
Maybe I'd a done some good in this world
Instead of burning every bridge I crossed

Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday is just a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's suppose to be
And I need you

Oh, I wish I'd a been a doctor
Maybe I'd a saved some lives that been lost
Maybe I'd a done some good in this world
Instead of burning every bridge I crossed

Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday is just a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's suppose to be
And I need you

Don't fall apart on me tonight
Don't fall apart on me tonight

Overall Meaning

In "Don't Fall Apart on Me Tonight," Aaron Neville sings about how he needs his partner to stay composed and not fall apart. Before she leaves, he wants to talk with her about why she is leaving and what she wants to achieve. Neville recommends that it isn't even safe to be wandering the streets anymore, proclaiming the decrepit state of the world. He pleads, "Don't fall apart on me tonight," admitting he wouldn't be able to cope otherwise. He reflects on his life, wishing he had done things differently to save people instead of burning bridges. He offers his chair to his partner, acknowledging that there's no feasible way they can get away from their problems, and they only have each other to lean on. Neville is desperate, and he doesn't want to lose her.

The lyrics are powerful and suggest the need for communication and assistance during tough times. Neville acknowledges that life is difficult, and one cannot escape it. The song speaks to those who have to face poverty, uncertainty, and heartbreak, reminding them to hold on, be strong, and not to give up. The lyrics remind us that, even in the darkest moments, we must cling to hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Just a minute 'fore you leave girl
Wait a moment before you go, my dear.

Just a minute 'fore you touch the door
Before you leave, pause for a moment.

What is it that you're trying to achieve girl
What are you trying to accomplish here?

Do you think we can talk about it some more
Can we discuss this further?

You know the streets are filled with vipers
The city is dangerous and full of deceitful people.

Who've lost all ray of hope
They have given up on any possibility of change.

You know it ain't even safe no more
There is no longer any guarantee of safety.

In the palace of the Pope
Even religious leaders cannot be trusted.

Don't fall apart on me tonight
Please don't break down or give up on me now.

I just don't think that I could handle it
I am not sure if I can handle your emotional breakdown right now.

Yesterday is just a memory
The past is behind us and cannot be changed.

Tomorrow's never what it's suppose to be
The future is unknown and unpredictable.

And I need you
I require your presence and support.

Come over here from over there girl
Please join me and sit beside me, my dear.

Sit down here you can have my chair
Here, take my spot and make yourself comfortable.

I can't see you going anywhere girl
I cannot imagine you leaving me.

The only place open is a thousand miles away
There are no options for us nearby, but there is a far-off possibility.

And I can't take you there
I cannot bring you to that distant, hypothetical location.

Oh, I wish I'd a been a doctor
I regret not pursuing a career in medicine.

Maybe I'd a saved some lives that been lost
Perhaps I could have prevented some deaths.

Maybe I'd a done some good in this world
I could have potentially made a positive impact on the world.

Instead of burning every bridge I crossed
Rather than destroying relationships whenever I encountered them.