His eponymous debut album from 1982 is said to have provided a blueprint for the hard rock of the '80s. During the '80s and '90s, he worked with fellow hard rockers Lita Ford and Jon Bon Jovi -- he contributed heavily to the latter's 1990 solo debut Blaze of Glory -- as mainstream rock began to adapt his innovations. Nova found his greatest commercial success as a songwriter and producer for Celine Dion, earning a Grammy for her 1996 album Falling Into You. This success allowed Nova to be picky with his projects, but he eventually returned to his own recording career in 2018 with the release of 2.0.
Nova learned guitar when he was 15 years old, inspired equally by Jimi Hendrix and jazz. While he cut his teeth in local clubs, he also played George Harrison in a production of Beatlemania, spending his extra hours working as a studio engineer. Eventually, he landed a publishing deal, which led to a 1982 contract with Portrait Records.
Portrait allowed Nova to produce his own 1982 debut, which resulted in the album sounding unlike most other hard rock on the radio at that time. "Fantasy" hit at precisely the right moment, burning up the AOR rock charts but also receiving heavy play on MTV. This helped "Fantasy" reach the Billboard Top 40, climbing to number 23 while making it all the way to three on their Mainstream Rock chart. The album's second single, the power ballad "Fooling Yourself," reached 65 on the Hot 100, but Aldo Nova had legs, earning its first platinum certification in 1989 and a second in 1994.
Nova had a difficult time capitalizing on this success. On his 1983 sequel Subjectβ¦Aldo Nova, the guitarist ratcheted up the synthesizers and tied together the songs with a vague concept, conceits that made the album feel vaguely New Wave. "Monkey on Your Back," the album's lead single, went to 12 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, but "Always Be Mine" couldn't get past 107. The album nevertheless managed to earn Gold certification in 1994. The record label intervened during the recording of 1985's Twitch to help steer him back onto the charts but it didn't help: the album stiffed upon its release. After its commercial failure, Nova asked to be let out of his contract with Portrait; his time with the label would be wrapped up with the release of the 1991 compilation, A Portrait of Aldo Nova.
At that point, Nova decided to recede from the spotlight. He chose to work as a session musician, producer, and professional songwriter, areas where he was experienced. During his ascent on the charts, he appeared on records by Michael Bolton and Blue Oyster Cult, but by 1984, he also was working on records by Lita Ford and Bon Jovi. The latter proved to be a crucial connection. In 1990, he played on Jon Bon Jovi's solo debut, Blaze of Glory, where he helped come up with the title track's lead riff. Bon Jovi had a history with Nova -- Nova appears on the 1984 debut by Jon's band -- and the rocker paid it forward six years later, signing Nova to his Jambco imprint and releasing Blood on the Bricks, but the record didn't go anywhere commercially, nor did the 1997 album Nova's Dream.
Of greater importance to Nova in the late 1990s was his collaboration with Celine Dion. He worked with the singer on some of her first albums, co-writing the song "A New Day Has Come," and the collaboration continued through her 1996 album Falling Into You. He produced part of the album, taking home a Grammy Award when it won Album of the Year in 1996. Another Grammy arrived when he worked with Latin rock group La Ley on Uno, which won the Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album in 2001. In 2003, he co-wrote "This Is the Night," which became a hit for Clay Aiken after he won American Idol.
Nova was firmly a behind-the-scenes artist by the 2000s, working as a producer and songwriter, toiling away on a rock opera called The Life and Times of Eddie Gage for the better part of a decade. Instead of releasing that, Nova mounted a comeback in 2018 with 2.0, an album where he offered new versions of his old hits.
His album "The Life and Times of Eddie Gage" was released in 2022.
Can't Stop Lovin' You
Aldo Nova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I did yes I did
At times your love was all I had
But now that love is just a faded memory
Of all the good times that we've had
I never tried to put any chains on you
I tried to take and give
But you kept saying you had your life to live
So do what you wanna do
And be who you wanna be
Go to the end of the earth
And I'll try to follow you, and I have
Say what you wanna say
And see who you wanna see
I'll always be there if you want my love tomorrow
You said I was a fool
But a fool couldn't understand
Or feel the love that I feel
So don't go puttin' any blame on me
I got no reason to give
'Cause I could understood
But you had your life to live
So do what you wanna do
Be who you wanna be
Go to the end of the earth
And I'll try to follow you
Say what you wanna say
And see who you wanna see
I'll always be there if you want my love tomorrow
And then there'll be no pain, no sorrow
'Cause I could never stop lovin' you
And I don't wanna stop lovin' you
What am I supposed to do if I've got to stop?
And I don't wanna stop lovin' you
'Cause I could never stop lovin' you
There's nothing more that I can do
And I'm never gonna stop
'Cause I could never stop lovin' you
And I don't wanna stop lovin' you
What am I supposed to do if I've got to stop?
And I don't wanna stop lovin' you
'Cause I could never stop lovin' you
There's nothing more that I can do
And I'm never gonna stop
There's nothing more that I can do
And I'm never gonna stop
What am I supposed to do?
'Cause I never gonna stop
The lyrics of Aldo Nova's "Can't Stop Lovin' You," speak of unrequited love. The singer loves someone who doesn't return his feelings fully. It appears that they were once in love, but now that love is fading, and their memories of being together are becoming more distant. Despite this, the singer can't stop loving the person.
The chorus is a plea for the object of his affection to live their life, and he will follow her even if she goes to the ends of the earth. The singer reiterates that he can't stop loving her and doesn't want to. The song ends with the singer saying he knows there's nothing he can do, and he will never stop loving her.
The lyrics of this song are relatable, as many people have experienced unrequited love at some point in their lives. It also speaks to the power of love and how it can endure, even when faced with rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't have to love you
I had a choice not to love you, but I did.
But now that love is just a faded memory
Our love that used to be strong is now a distant memory.
I never tried to put any chains on you
I never tried to restrict you or hold you back.
So do what you wanna do
You have the freedom to pursue your desires and dreams.
And you said I was a fool
You called me foolish for loving you despite your actions.
But a fool couldn't understand
I understand the love I feel for you despite what you say and do.
So don't go puttin' any blame on me
Don't blame me for the way you choose to live your life.
And I'll always be there if you want my love tomorrow
I will be there to love and support you in the future, if you want me to.
'Cause I could never stop lovin' you
I cannot and do not want to stop loving you.
There's nothing more that I can do
I have done all that is within my power to show my love.
And I'm never gonna stop
My love for you is unwavering and will not cease.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aldo Nova
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Gill
Always loved this song from Aldo Nova, another underrated band!
Kathy Prine
loved this song for so long ...
Thank you Aldo β₯οΈ
veryevilnip
Aldo Nova is a national treasure and very under appreciated
The man writes, plays every instrument and sings and produces his debut album when he was 22!
When I was 22 I was doing nothing but partying Lol
BeBean99
Ball and Chain was great but this is the one that got to me the most. Great power ballad!
Kristin Thomas
This is always gonna be my most favorite unappreciated bands ever. It's just pure perfection!
Tina Nelson
This is one of my favorites from this album π!! So miss listening to you!
Shawn Gardner
1982 I may not have known much then... but I knew Amazingly Gifted Musicians.., Aldo Nova. Man... definitely brings back Memories. Love Aldo Nova Musis... The music he made... He was so gifted , as this whole Album is absolutely nothing short of Greatness. Happy to see so many here that Appreciates it. Thank you for Sharing Your Heart with so very few that actually took a moment and listened and New what you had to offer... Thank you Mr. Nova. :)
Laura Bean
Such a great artist. Love his music.
Joyce Perigo
I love this song it brings back so many memories
browserhound
Aldo Nova rocks....wish I could go back in time