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.
Save a Little
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just a matter of where we are
And they say it won't last forever
But it feels that way
The walls of hope come tumbling down
And I find a shelter where you are
I feel like a fool
So, save a little
Love a little
Save a little love, oh
Please, save a little
Love a little
Save a little love, oh
It'll be alright
When you walk, when you walk down my city block
And everybody looks to see
What it is they want, well, I think I know
'Cause I feel the same
Will you take me away, every night, every day
And make my every dream come true
It's a sensation, my heart's on the run
And I'm falling, crawling for you
So save a little
Love a little
Save a little love, oh
Please, save a little
And love a little
And save a little love, oh
It'll be alright alright
It'll be alright
It'll be alright alright
It'll be alright
It's alright
It's alright, yeah yeah
It's alright
It's alright, hey yeah
Save a little
Save a little
Love a little
Save a little, yes, I would
Save a little
Love a little
Save a little love, oh
'Cause you save a little
And love a little
And save a little love, oh
It'll be alright alright
It'll be alright
It'll be alright alright
It'll be alright
Hey yeah
It's alright
The lyrics to BoDeans's song "Save a Little" are about falling in love and the hope that it lasts forever. However, the song acknowledges that love might not last forever, but it still feels that way. The singer is in love and feels like a fool for falling for someone, but they can't help but feel the way they do. They want their love interest to save a little love for them and assure them that things will be all right. The singer feels a connection with their love interest that is strong enough to make them believe that their every dream can come true. Finally, the song ends with the singer asking for their love interest to save a little love for them so they can continue to fall in love and believe that things will be all right.
This song is a powerful love ballad that captures the feeling of falling in love and believing that everything will work out in the end. It speaks to the hopes and dreams that we all have when we fall in love and the way that we want to believe that things will work out despite the odds. The song is also filled with imagery that reflects the experience of being in love, like the way that people look at one another when they're in love and the way that the heart feels like it's on the run.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just a matter of time now
The situation has reached a point where its outcome is just a matter of waiting.
It's just a matter of where we are
The location/context of where we find ourselves is crucial to what will happen next.
And they say it won't last forever
Others claim that this intensity will not endure indefinitely.
But it feels that way
Despite what others say, the current connection is so deep that it feels like it will last forever.
The walls of hope come tumbling down
Expectations and optimistic perspectives are eroding and leaving uncertainty and fear.
And I find a shelter where you are
The singer has found a sense of safety and refuge in the presence of the other person.
I feel like a fool
The singer has a sense of foolishness and vulnerability in their behavior emotionally and romantically.
But then I'm falling, falling for you
Despite the insecurity and foolishness, the artist continues to be captivated and drawn towards the other person.
So, save a little
A request to the other person to reserve or keep some love available for them.
Love a little
An invitation to the other person to continue being open and affectionate towards the artist.
Please, save a little love, oh
An earnest appeal and emphasis to implore the other person to have affinity towards them.
It'll be alright
An optimistic promise that everything will be okay despite the difficulties.
When you walk, when you walk down my city block
An atmospheric and romantic statement of the singer imagining the other person nearby.
And everybody looks to see
People in the area are also interested in who the other person is and what their intentions may be.
What it is they want, well, I think I know
The singer is confident they have a clear idea of what they want from this situation.
'Cause I feel the same
The artist senses that the other person is on the same page in terms of their interest and desire.
Will you take me away, every night, every day
The artist is requesting the other person to whisk them away and be by their side all the time.
And make my every dream come true
The singer wants the other person to fulfill their dreams and deepest desires.
It's a sensation, my heart's on the run
The singer is experiencing powerful emotions and their heart is in a heightened state of excitement and passion.
And I'm falling, crawling for you
The artist is falling deeper and deeper in love with the other person and is eager to be near them.
Save a little
A repeated request to preserve some love for the artist.
Love a little
A repeated invitation to continue giving affection to the artist.
It's alright
A reassurance that everything is fine, and things will work out.
Contributed by Max A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.