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.
Don't Be Lonely
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But please try and understand I've got some things I wanna do
It's not easy no no it can be so hard
But we can't quit now we can't quit now
Because we've come so far
And I know when the night comes down
Baby it come so hard and so mean
Say you're lost and in between
Don't be lonely don't be blue
Don't be lonely lonely lonely lonely
Because I'm thinking about you
So just remember when it was me and you
How we laughed how we cried
How we loved our love rang so true
Yes it did
Our time has come now baby
We'll be together again I know
You'll be the queen of all women
I'll be the king of all men
Yes I will yes I will
The opening verse introduces the theme of the song- the struggle for balance and understanding between two individuals who are in love but also have their individual dreams which may require being apart from each other. The singer in the song acknowledges that he has his own ambitions, which may take him away from his partner, but he is urging her to remain patient and supportive, reminding her that they have come a long way together. Despite the temporary separation, he reassures her that he is constantly thinking about her and that their love will endure until they are reunited.
The chorus is a plea to the singer's partner not to lose hope or yield to feelings of loneliness, even though the distance between them is difficult to bear. He reminds her of their personal history, the joy they shared, the laughter and tears they experienced, and the purity of their love. The line “Don’t be lonely, don’t be blue” is a reminder of the strength of their connection, even when they are physically apart. The singer acknowledges the pain and frustration that his partner is experiencing but wants her to realize that he too is struggling with the separation, and hopes to return to her soon.
Overall, the song is a testament to the depth and endurance of true love, even in difficult and trying times. It highlights the importance of patience, understanding and communication in maintaining the bond between two individuals, and celebrates the power of love to overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
When we're not together I know I know this much is true
I understand that we are not always together.
But please try and understand I've got some things I wanna do
Please comprehend that I have some things I want to do.
It's not easy no no it can be so hard
It's not simple; in fact, it can be very tough.
But we can't quit now we can't quit now
However, we cannot give up on each other now.
Because we've come so far
We have come a long way together.
And I know when the night comes down
And I understand that when the night falls.
Baby it come so hard and so mean
It can be challenging and vicious, baby.
And I know what you feel inside girl you
I know what emotions you harbor inside, girl.
Say you're lost and in between
You say you are lost and uncertain about things.
Don't be lonely don't be blue
Please don't feel lonely or sad.
Don't be lonely lonely lonely lonely
Avoid being lonely, and remember I am always here for you.
Because I'm thinking about you
Know that I am always thinking about you, even when we are apart.
So just remember when it was me and you
Recall our memories when it was just you and me.
How we laughed how we cried
How we laughed together, how we cried together.
How we loved our love rang so true
How we embraced our love, and it felt so real.
Yes it did
It certainly did.
Our time has come now baby
Our turn has now come, baby.
We'll be together again I know
I am confident we will reunite once more.
You'll be the queen of all women
You will be my woman, my queen of queens.
I'll be the king of all men
And I will be your man, your king of kings.
Yes I will yes I will
Yes, I will be your king of kings, and we will rule together.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KURT R. NEUMANN, SAMUEL J. LLANAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind