Swan's role in the music industry was, originally, largely invisible. His first big break was in 1962 when Clyde McPhatter recorded "Lover Please", a song written by Swan that quickly became a Top Ten hit. Moving to Nashville allowed Swan to write hit country songs for numerous artists, including Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Mel Tillis.
In 1969, Swan first took on the role of record producer, publishing Tony Joe White's Top Ten hit "Polk Salad Annie". Swan played bass guitar for Kris Kristofferson, and signed a deal with Monument Records.
Swan's first album included the popular song "I Can Help", a rockabilly number that topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and country charts in 1974. Swan recorded the song in two takes (without overdubs) with an organ that Kristofferson and singer Rita Coolidge had bought for him as a wedding gift.
However, other albums with Monument, A&M, and Epic did not have nearly the success of his first.
Swan continued to tour with Kristofferson, and has recorded two albums with Randy Meisner. As of 2005, Swan was still a back-up and session musician.
Swan was married to his late wife Marlu for 30 years. They had two daughters, recording artists Planet Swan & Sierra Swan.
Another Bill Swan is guitarist for the American band The Muffins.
Don't Be Cruel
Billy Swan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sittin' home all alone
If you can't come around
At least on the telephone
Don't be cruel
To a heart that's true
With somethin' that I might've said
Please, let's forget the past
For our future looks bright ahead
Don't be cruel
To a heart that's true
Don't want no other love
Baby, it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Don't be cruel
To a heart that's true
Don't be cruel
To a heart that's true
Well, let's walk up to the preacher
And let us say, "I do"
Then you'll know you'll have me
And I know I'll have you, too
Don't be cruel
To a heart that's true
Why should we be apart?
I really love you, baby, cross my heart
Cross my heart
Cross my heart
Cross my heart
Cross my heart
Cross my heart
The lyrics to Billy Swan's hit song "Don't Be Cruel" appear to be addressed to a lover or potential lover who may be mad or upset with the singer. The singer implores them not to be cruel to a heart that's true, indicating their love and devotion. The first verse establishes the situation: the singer is alone and waiting for their lover to reach out, either in person or on the telephone. The chorus's repetition of the plea not to be cruel emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and desire for the other person to treat them kindly.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that they may have said or done something that caused their lover to be angry, but pleads with them to let go of the past and focus on the future together. The repetition of the chorus suggests that this plea is a recurring one, perhaps reflecting ongoing tension in their relationship. When the song's bridge arrives, the mood shifts to a more upbeat and hopeful one. The singer suggests that they make things official by getting married and expresses confidence that this will bring them together and solidify their love. The repetition of "cross my heart" adds a childlike sincerity to the final plea.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I can be found
I am always available and accessible for you.
I'm sittin' home all alone
I am waiting for you as I have nothing else to do.
If you can't come around
If you cannot come here or see me personally.
At least on the telephone
Please give me a call so that we could converse instead.
Don't be cruel
Please do not be harsh or unkind.
To a heart that's true
It hurts me as I am sincere and faithful in my love.
Baby, if I made you mad
If I have ever annoyed you.
With somethin' that I might've said
By uttering something absurd or unpleasant.
Please, let's forget the past
Please let us move on and not dwell on what's gone.
For our future looks bright ahead
Our future has much optimism and brightness.
Don't want no other love
I do not need any other love.
Baby, it's just you I'm thinkin' of
You are the only one I ever think of.
Well, let's walk up to the preacher
Let us get married to make our relationship official.
And let us say, "I do"
And allow us to utter those sacred words and vows.
Then you'll know you'll have me
Then you will be secure and confident about our relationship.
And I know I'll have you, too
And I would be satisfied and contented to have you forever.
Why should we be apart?
What's the reason for us to be separated?
I really love you, baby, cross my heart
I genuinely and wholeheartedly love you, my dear.
Cross my heart
I swear to be truthful and loyal.
Cross my heart
I swear to be truthful and loyal.
Cross my heart
I swear to be truthful and loyal.
Cross my heart
I swear to be truthful and loyal.
Cross my heart
I swear to be truthful and loyal.
Lyrics Β© BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Presley, Otis Blackwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
You know I can be found
Iβm sittinβ home all alone
If you canβt come around
At least on the telephone π
Donβt be cruel
To a heart thatβs true
Baby, if I made yβmad
For somethinβ that I might have said
Please, letβs forget the past
For our future looks bright ahead
Donβt be cruel
To a heart thatβs true
Donβt want no other love π
Baby, itβs just you Iβm thinkinβ of
Donβt be cruel
To a heart thatβs true
Donβt be cruel
To a heart thatβs true
Well, letβs walk up to the preacher
And let us say, βI doβ
Then youβll know youβll have me
And I know Iβll have you, too
Donβt be cruel
To a heart thatβs true
Why should we be apart?
I really love you, baby, cross my heart π
Cross my heart β₯οΈ
Cross my heart β₯οΈ
Cross my heart β₯οΈ
Cross my heart β₯οΈ
@rodneycameron2349
I am listening to this song trying so so hard to describe in the most simplistic terms what I think of this very different but brilliant rendition of this song....
My wife has just looked up and said...
That's brilliant....
It sounds drugged.
Brilliance, how did i miss that?
@ledingdong1492
You know I can be found
I'm sittin' home all alone
If you can't come around
At least on the telephone
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Baby, if I made y'mad
For somethin' that I might have said
Please, let's forget the past
For our future looks bright ahead
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Don't want no other love
Baby, it's just you I'm thinkin' of
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Well, let's walk up to the preacher
And let us say, "I do"
Then you'll know you'll have me
And I know I'll have you, too
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true
Why should we be apart?
I really love you, baby, cross my heart
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
You know I can be found,
λΉμ μ μμμ.
sitting home all alone,
λ΄κ° μ§μ νΌμ μμμλ€λ κ±Έ
If you can't come around,
μ¬ μ μλ€ ν΄λ
at least please telephone.
μ λ° μ νλΌλ ν΄μ€μ
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
μ΄ μ§μ€ν λ§μμκ² μμΈνκ² λνμ§ λ§μμ
Baby, if I made you mad
λ΄κ° λΉμ μ νλκ² νλ€λ©΄
for something I might have said,
λ΄κ° νλ λ§λ€ λλ¬Έμ΄λΌλ©΄
Please, let's forget the past,
μ λ° κ³Όκ±°λ μμ΄μ€μ
the future looks bright ahead,
λ€κ°μ¬ λ―Έλλ λ°μ κ±°μμ
I don't want no other love,
λ€λ₯Έ μ¬λμ μνμ§ μμμ
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.
λ΄κ° μκ°νλ μ¬λμ μ€μ§ λΉμ μ΄μμ
Don't stop thinking of me,
λ κ³μ μκ°ν΄μ€μ
don't make me feel this way,
λ΄κ° μ΄λ° λλμ κ°μ§κ² νμ§ λ§μμ€μ
Come on over here and love me,
μ΄λ¦¬ μμ λ μ¬λν΄μ€μ
you know what I want you to say.
λΉμ κ» νκ³ μΆμ΄νλ λ§μ μμμμ
Why should we be apart?
μ μ°λ¦¬κ° ν€μ΄μ ΈμΌ ν΄μ?
I really love you baby, cross my heart.
λ μ λ§λ‘ λΉμ μ μ¬λν΄μ, λ§ΉμΈν΄μ
Let's walk up to the preacher
λͺ©μ¬λκ» κ°μ
and let us say I do,
κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ νΌμΈμμ½μ ν΄μ
Then you'll know you'll have me,
κ·Έλ¬λ©΄ λΉμ μ΄ λ κ°μ‘λ€λ κ±Έ κΉ¨λ¬μ κ±°μμ
and I'll know that I'll have you,
κ·Έλ¦¬κ³ λ΄κ° λΉμ μ κ°μ‘λ€λ κ²λ
I don't want no other love,
λ€λ₯Έ μ¬λμ μνμ§ μμμ
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.
λ΄κ° μκ°νλ μ¬λμ μ€μ§ λΉμ λΏμ΄μμ
@Dxme101
That opening scene of Euphoriaβ¦DAMNπ€― that whole episode was amazing it felt like multiple episodes in one
@PinkSalsa
π€π»π€π»
@gwill2k
Brutal!
@2020sII
The satisfaction of watching the dude get wacked is something else π
@vikramkaushik2911
thats what brought me here:) but a great version!
@oilyshoes9969
fuck Euphoria. Rejoice in great music from years that were relevant.
@countrypaul
I love this version! Swan turns the song inside out and finds depth far beyond the original.
@Jsmitt716
Billy tears it up on this version. I swear if i woulda known about this before hesring it on for all mankind, it wouldve been ny wedding song. This is one of those songs that you feel in your bones... Every word feels like i could have wrote it myself because of the way he sings it... A quiet and calm masterpiece
@fabioguterres73
AgradeΓ§o a For All Mankind por me apresentar essa versΓ£o incrΓvel dessa mΓΊsica.
@JosafaSilva.
Dois!!! kkkk