The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Live
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never, no never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never, no never let go
And if I had a chance to be with you, I wouldn't slip
So hey what do you say, just see a thing or two in me
Then let's be on our way, we don't need no other company
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never, no never let go
We won't need no wine and we won't need no other stuff
'Cause we'll be doing fine from being close and tastin' love
And when the night set ends, we'll close the curtains way up tight
And then we'll just pretend that it isn't day but still the night
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never, no never, let go
There's a fire burnin' deep down in your eyes
It's got me almost hypnotized
I like the way you dance, I like the way you paint your lips
And if I had a chance to be with you, I wouldn't slip
And when the night set ends, we'll close the curtains way up tight
And then we'll just pretend that it isn't day but still the night
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
If I can hold you tonight, I might never, no never let go
I might never, no never let go, I might never, no never let go
The song "If I Can Hold You Tonight" by BoDeans is a classic love song that speaks about holding on to someone you love dearly. The lyrics are straightforward and express the desire to never let go of someone if given the opportunity to hold them. The repetition of "If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go" emphasizes the yearning for a strong emotional bond, wanting to cherish every moment and make it last for eternity.
The singer admires the way their love interest dances and paints their lips, showing a physical attraction that complements the emotional desire. It is clear that the singer wants to spend quality time with their love interest privately, without any distractions. They believe that they do not need any other company, only each other’s’ presence, to enjoy the night and each other's company.
The line, "We won't need no wine and we won't need no other stuff," highlights the importance of being in the moment with each other, not needing any external factors. The sincerity of the lyrics and the earnest melody make it a very wistful, romantic song. This song speaks of true love that makes you feel like life would be incomplete without the person you love by your side.
Line by Line Meaning
If I can hold you tonight, I might never let go
The singer is expressing their desire to hold onto their partner forever, and relishing the possibility of being able to do so tonight.
I like the way you dance, I like the way you paint your lips
The singer is admiring their partner's physical appearance and the way they carry themselves.
And if I had a chance to be with you, I wouldn't slip
The singer is hoping to seize the opportunity to be with their partner and is emphasizing their commitment to making it work.
So hey what do you say, just see a thing or two in me
The artist is asking their partner for a chance to prove themselves and showcase their positive qualities.
Then let's be on our way, we don't need no other company
The artist is suggesting that they are content being with their partner and don't require anyone else's presence to have a good time.
We won't need no wine and we won't need no other stuff
The singer is expressing that being in each other's company is all they need to have a good time and they don't require any external substances.
'Cause we'll be doing fine from being close and tastin' love
The singer is emphasizing that the intimacy between them will be enough for them to have a good time.
And then we'll just pretend that it isn't day but still the night
The artist is suggesting that their time together is so enjoyable that they don't want it to end, and will pretend that it's still night even when the morning comes.
There's a fire burnin' deep down in your eyes
The artist is commenting on the passion and intensity they see in their partner's eyes.
It's got me almost hypnotized
The artist is expressing how captivated and enamored they are with their partner.
I might never, no never let go
The singer is reiterating their desire to hold onto their partner indefinitely.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY HOFFMAN, KURT R. NEUMANN, SAMUEL J. LLANAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dannyechi3904
I've been going to BoDeans concerts since 1986. I've been to over 3,000 concert's in my lifetime. BODEANS is still one of my favorite live bands ever. Still sounding great. KURT thank you for the music. Thank you for so many good things. A perfect dream tour would be "Bodeans with LONE JUSTICE feat Maria McKee".
@PamelaDWilsonCaregivingExpert
Saw the Bodeans at Strings in Steamboat Springs on 8/12/2023 and loved every minute of the concert!
@Daniel_M_M
Extraordinary Musicians, greetings Bo Deans from Peru, South America!!!
@monicas2507
I'm so glad Kurt is still keeping the Bodeans going. I have been a fan since 1989 when I heard
"You Don't Get Much"and "Red River" in the film "The Wizard". Bought every Bodean CD I could find.
@andrelys
great drummer!!!
@stevegordon7194
I really enjoy kurt and his band. Bo Deans truly an american treasure
@kennysprotte8775
This was an amazing show to be at.. the lineup of talented musicians, wow!
@captainsto
DAMN! Nothing like "LIVE" concerts....wish I had been there!
@davidleach1953
I saw the BoDeans at The Vic Theater in Chicago and The Counting Crows opened for them. Top 10 concert ever. Epic.
@RedBardes
This is really awesome work. I feel bad that only 37k views- the others are missing out!