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.
Lover Please
Billy Swan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't take the train coming down the track
Don't please don't please call on me
Don't leave me in misery
You were never holding me
You were never call with me
Don't you know I die for you
Lover please please come back
Don't take the train coming down the track
Don't please don't please call on me
Don't leave me in misery
(Instrumental)
Oh love story not too long
By the love that went all wrong
Girl loves boy all went bad
Now he's gone and she's so sad
Lover please please come back
Don't take the train coming down the track
Don't please don't please call on me
Don't leave me in misery
(Repeat)
The lyrics in Billy Swan's song "Lover Please" are a plea to a former lover to return rather than leave forever. The desperate yearning for their partner is evident in the lyrics' repetition of "Lover, please, please come back" and "Don't leave me in misery." The singer is begging the lover not to take the train that is coming down the track and not to call on them if they have any intention of staying apart. The lyrics' repetition is used effectively to convey the singer's desperation and make a plea for their lover's return.
The song's lament about lost love is a universal sentiment that resonates with listeners, making it popularized in different versions throughout the years, and chosen as a cover by musicians such as The Fourmost, Clay Walker, and Debbie Harry. The song's rhythm and catchy melody blend well with the lyrics, making it a classic of optimistic mid-'60s pop mournful tunes.
Overall, "Lover Please" is a heartfelt response to the pain of being left by the one you love. Despite the sadness in the lyrics, the upbeat melody and pace of the song lifts the spirits, and its performance serves as a reminder to listeners to cherish their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover please please come back
The singer is pleading for their lover to come back to them.
Don't take the train coming down the track
The singer doesn't want their lover to leave on the train that's approaching.
Don't please don't please call on me
The singer doesn't want their lover to call them because they fear they might not be able to resist them.
Don't leave me in misery
The singer doesn't want their lover to leave them in a state of misery.
You were never holding me
The singer feels as though their lover was never there for them in a meaningful way.
You were never call with me
The singer is saying that they never really connected with their lover.
Don't you know I die for you
The singer is expressing their deep love for their lover, even to the point of death.
Now you're gone that's what I'll do
The singer will spend their time mourning the loss of their lover now that they're gone.
Oh love story not too long
The singer is reflecting on a love story that was relatively short-lived.
By the love that went all wrong
The singer is referring to how their love story ended in heartache.
Girl loves boy all went bad
The singer is summarizing how their relationship came to a negative end.
Now he's gone and she's so sad
The singer is lamenting how their lover has left them and how they feel about it.
Lover please please come back
The singer is once again begging their lover to come back to them.
Don't take the train coming down the track
The singer is still imploring their lover not to leave on the train.
Don't please don't please call on me
The singer still doesn't want their lover to call them for the same reasons.
Don't leave me in misery
The singer is still scared of being left in a miserable state.
Contributed by Declan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
cuppajoe1
This was one of Clyde's best, thanks to Billy. I never realized Billy wrote it until today.
Neil Ladd
One of the best versions, Billy does it again!!!
Damian Harte
Brilliant
ELIZABETH HALLOREN
Love this song lover please it's dead catchy
Kevin Placid
a great version makes your feet want to groove booooom
Ruth Boykin
love love this song!
Jose Luis Escobedo Muñiz
Me encanta Billy Swan. Eres un crack
cs100443
beautiful song
stone magic
HE ROCKS THAT SONG !!!
Neil Ladd
Good beat!!!!!