Medley met his singing partner Bobby Hatfield while attending California State University, Long Beach. The pair began singing as a duo in 1962. Their first single was "Little Latin Lupe Lu"; their first hit was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", produced by Phil Spector in 1964. Follow-up hits included "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" and "Unchained Melody".
The duo broke up in 1968, but returned with another hit in 1974, "Rock And Roll Heaven", and they continued to appear together until Hatfield's death in November 2003. The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2003 by one of their biggest fans, Billy Joel.
Medley also had a moderately successful solo career. In 1987 his duet with Jennifer Warnes, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", was included on the Dirty Dancing motion picture soundtrack album and the single reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
I Can't Make It Alone
Bill Medley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how proud I am
And what I'm gonna tell you now
Won't be easy to say
Before I left your side
Ooh, I was so happy then
But I've been so lonely
Oh, baby
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's something in my soul
That will always (always)
Lead me back to you
What can I say now?
Sorry is just not good enough
I couldn't blame you if you hurt me now
The way I hurt you then
But who else can I turn to?
Oh, baby, I'm begging you
Won't you reach out for my dying soul?
And make me live again
Oh, baby, it's so hard
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's something in my soul (in my soul)
That will always
Lead me back to you
I just can't make it by myself
Just can't make it byself
Baby, help me
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
And I can't make it alone
There's something in my soul (in my soul)
That will always (always)
Lead me back to you
Oh, help me
(Please help me)
You know I need you
(I need you)
I'm saying that I need you
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
I just can't make it all alone
(I just can't make it all alone)
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
The song "I Can't Make It Alone" by Bill Medley is about a man confessing his regrets to his former partner. The lyrics suggest that the couple used to be happy together, and although the man left, he has realized that he cannot make it without his partner. He knows he was wrong in the past and apologizes for hurting her. He pleads for forgiveness and hopes that his partner will reach out to him and save him from his loneliness.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of desperation and vulnerability as the man recognizes that he needs his partner's emotional support that he once took for granted. His pride is no longer a barrier as he confesses his weakness and begs for the woman he loves to come back to him. The chorus "I just can't make it alone; there's something in my soul that will always lead me back to you." emphasizes the theme that no matter how hard he tries, he acknowledges that he won't survive without the woman he loves.
Bill Medley recorded "I Can't Make It Alone" in 1968 when he was still a member of the Righteous Brothers band. The single did not perform well initially but became popular when it was used as the closing theme for the 1969 film "Zabriskie Point." The song was later included in the soundtrack for the 1991 movie "The Five Heartbeats." The song has been covered by several artists, including Andy Williams, Dusty Springfield, and Tom Jones.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you know me
I hope that by now, you have a good understanding of who I am.
You know how proud I am
You are aware of my self-assurance and it is something that I am not ashamed of.
And what I'm gonna tell you now
I have something that I need to share with you at this moment.
Won't be easy to say
Expressing my thoughts and feelings will not come easily or naturally.
Before I left your side
Prior to the moment I departed from you.
Ooh, I was so happy then
During this period of time, I was experiencing a great deal of joy and contentment.
But I've been so lonely
Since I have been separated from you, I have been experiencing intense feelings of solitude.
Since I've been away
Ever since I have been gone from your presence.
Oh, baby
An affectionate term of endearment used to address the person listening to or reading the song's lyrics.
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
I have attempted to face my situation independently, but I have come to realize that it is an insurmountable task.
It's such a hard way to go
Trying to survive without the help of another individual is extremely difficult.
There's something in my soul
There is an intrinsic element within my being.
That will always (always)
This particular element will forever remain constant.
Lead me back to you
This element serves to guide me toward you and our relationship.
What can I say now?
In this moment, I am at a loss for words.
Sorry is just not good enough
Merely apologizing for my actions is an insufficient gesture.
I couldn't blame you if you hurt me now
If you decide to harm me in some way, I would not hold it against you.
The way I hurt you then
I am referencing a past occurrence in which I caused you emotional pain.
But who else can I turn to?
If not you, then to whom can I go for assistance?
Oh, baby, I'm begging you
I am pleading with you for your aid, using an amorous term of endearment.
Won't you reach out for my dying soul?
Can you please assist me in saving my spirit, which feels like it is fading away?
And make me live again
I am imploring you to revive my vitality and bring me back to life.
Oh, baby, it's so hard
The situation that I am going through is incredibly difficult and taxing.
I just can't make it by myself
I have come to the realization that facing this particular challenge on my own is too difficult for me to handle.
Baby, help me
I am asking you for your assistance, utilizing a tender term of endearment.
You know I need you
You are aware that I am reliant on your aid in this situation.
I'm saying that I need you
I am being forthright in my admission that I am in a vulnerable state and I require your assistance.
I just can't make it by myself
I am reiterating the fact that trying to face this situation alone is beyond my ability at this moment in time.
I just can't make it all alone
It is just too difficult to tackle this challenge without the help of another individual.
(Please help me)
A request for assistance in a dire situation.
(I need you)
I require your support to face this particular struggle that I am going through.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind