While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."
The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."
Imaginairy Lover
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When all the others turn you away they're around
It's my private pleasure midnight fantasy
Someone to share my wildest dreams with me
Imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
Imaginary lover, ooh yeah
When ordinary lovers don't feel what you feel
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal, imaginary lover
Imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
Imaginary lovers never disagree, they always care
They're always there when you need
Satisfaction guaranteed, imaginary lover
Imaginary lover, you're mine, all the time
My imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
Oh yeah, yeah [Incomprehensible]
I have imagined [Incomprehensible]
I have imagined [Incomprehensible]
The song “Imaginary Lover” by the Atlanta Rhythm Section is all about the comfort people find in their own imagination when they are unable to connect with someone in real life. In the lyrics, the person finds themselves turning to an imaginary lover for support and companionship when “ordinary lovers” and “real-life situations” no longer provide them with any “thrill”. The imaginary lover is always there for them, never disagreeing or turning them away like the people in their real life have.
The song speaks to the basic human need for connection and intimacy, and how sometimes imagination can be a powerful tool for filling that need when the real world doesn’t offer what we crave. The person in the song is seeking “private pleasure” and “someone to share [their] wildest dreams with,” indicating that the imaginary lover is fulfilling a deeply personal and intimate role in their life.
Overall, “Imaginary Lover” is a poignant exploration of the power of the human imagination to bring us comfort and connection in times of isolation and loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Imaginary lovers never turn you down
An imaginary love interest will never disappoint or reject you.
When all the others turn you away they're around
When real people abandon you, your imaginary lover will be there for you.
It's my private pleasure midnight fantasy
Having an imaginary lover is a secret pleasure and a fantasy, especially when alone at night.
Someone to share my wildest dreams with me
An imaginary lover is the perfect companion to share wild and unrealistic dreams with.
Imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
The imaginary lover is always there for you, whenever you want them.
When ordinary lovers don't feel what you feel
Real people cannot always understand or share your feelings and emotions.
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Actual experiences may not have the excitement and passion that fantasy does.
Imagination's unreal, imaginary lover
Your imaginary lover is not real, but merely a product of your imagination.
Imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
Reinforcement of the fact that the imaginary lover is always available to you.
Imaginary lovers never disagree, they always care
In fantasy, a lover never argues, disagrees or causes sadness, they always care and love you.
They're always there when you need
Fantasy love is there when you need support, comfort or pleasing.
Satisfaction guaranteed, imaginary lover
Imaginary love does not come with disappointments and guarantees satisfaction.
Imaginary lover, you're mine, all the time
The fantasy of an imaginary lover will always be a part of your life, giving eternal happiness.
My imaginary lover, you're mine, anytime
The singer acknowledges that their imaginary lover is always accessible and close to them.
Oh yeah, yeah [Incomprehensible]
An expression of enthusiasm and satisfaction with an imaginary lover.
I have imagined [Incomprehensible]
The singer spends considerable time and effort visualizing and fantasizing about their imaginary lover.
I have imagined [Incomprehensible]
Reinforcement of the fact that the singer has created and continues to live a fantasy life with their imaginary lover.
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrAudienceMember2662015
Imaginary lovers never turn you down
When all the others turn you away, they're around
It's my private pleasure, midnight fantasy
Someone to share my wildest dreams with me
Imaginary lover, you're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers, oh yeah
When ordinary lovers don't feel what you feel
And real life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers never disagree
They always care
They're always there when
You need satisfaction guaranteed
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine all the time
My imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
Songwriters
BUIE, BUDDY / NIX, ROBERT / DAUGHTRY, DEAN
@TRAYANOVA
LYRICS:
Imaginary lovers
Never turn you down
When all the others turn you away
They're around
It's my private pleasure
Midnight fantasy
Someone to share my
Wildest dreams with me
Imaginary lover you're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers, oh yeah
When ordinary lovers
Don't feel what you feel
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers never disagree
They always care
They're always there when
You need satisfaction guaranteed
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine all the time
My imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
@user-tv3ry7zj9p
Imaginary lovers
Never turn you down
When all the others turn you away
They're around
It's my private pleasure
Midnight fantasy
Someone to share my
Wildest dreams with me
Imaginary lover you're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers, oh yeah
When ordinary lovers
Don't feel what you feel
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
Imaginary lovers never disagree
They always care
They're always there when
You need satisfaction guaranteed
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine all the time
My imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
@gowers1972
Even watching that turntable go round and round and round is nostalgic to the point of euphoria. What a treat to listen to this.
@vickihayes6135
Yes Indeed, Let that Turn Table, Go Around & Around tell Our Hearts Content!
@suzycue732
I was born in 1958, so grew up with in the 60's and 70's. This was one of the groups I remember vividly and loved. No music today compares...still listening in 2020
@blueforest2927
Oct 2022...still blissing to a great era...Satisfaction guaranteed ! !
@masterology101
here in 2023; still a classic
@julieutley2073
1957 here. Totally agree.
@johnwflores3680
I was born at 1:15 p.m. in Dallas on March 28, 1958, and just ran 15 miles. They killed Kennedy there. I never go back because of that. Elvis reported for duty at Fort Hood at 1:17 p.m. March 28, 1958. And I am a southern country boy like he was and know how to dress nice--like he did.
@julieutley2073
@John W Flores oh, my, what coincidences! I don't believe I'd go where Kennedy was killed, either, with how those dates line up. Have you ever had a full astrology chart run? Every person's is unique to that person alone. Your chart won't come up that way again for 50,000 years, and then things will be different, so that person would interact with their environment differently than you do yours. Your chart would have to be very interesting I think.
@bitterellaselectricgroove8544
This song makes me feel in love and all fluttery inside with someone I haven't met yet. ❤️
@shirleydiassantos
ALL agree with you