Brenda Holloway (born June 21, 1946 in Atascadero, California) is an Africa… Read Full Bio ↴Brenda Holloway (born June 21, 1946 in Atascadero, California) is an African-American singer and songwriter best known for her period as a recording artist for the Motown label during the 1960s. Her best known hits from her Motown days were the soul ballad Every Little Bit Hurts (which reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. The title of the song was similar to the 60's television public service announcement about highway littering--Every Litter Bit Hurts. After her '64 hit, she recorded, When I'm Gone,which had been recorded by Mary Wells and was intended to be Mary's followup to her '64 mega-hit , My Guy. However, after a contract dispute, Mary Wells left Motown for 20th Century Fox Records. Brenda's version of "When I'm Gone" was a R&B hit, but never crossed over in the days of segragated R&B/Rock & Roll radio.

Holloway did not fit the Motown mold well. She lived in Los Angeles, not Detroit. She also had a grittier edge than the typical polished Motown performer, and wrote songs as well as sang them, which was unprecedented for a female Motown artist. Brenda Hollowy inspired many pop artists, including The Beatles who asked her to perform as the opening act on their 1965 tour of the U.S. She was the only female to open for them.

Where Were You
Brenda Holloway Lyrics

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Once I had a love so strong
I used to think we always be together
It was pathetic how I wait to ev'ry day
To hear the things that I would never hear you say
Friends of mine would ask me out
But all my friends have someone of their own
No matter where I went the loneliness was there
With out your love my needs where just too much too bear

Darling, where were you - when my love was strong,
Where were you why did you wait till my love was gone

I was so good so good to you, you know I tried in ev'ry way to please you
Well ev'ryone is someone's fool and don't you know
How much you hurt me ev'rytime that you would go

Darling, where were you - when my love was strong
Where were you why did you wait till my love was gone

MMMHHHHHH
MMMMHHHH UHHHHHH Yeahhhhhh
WWOOOHHH YEAAAHH YEAAAAHH

So at last you broke my heart
And now you want what I don't have to give you
There's nothing left of all the love that used to be
'Cause you where never there to give it back to me

Darling, where were you - when my love was strong
Where were you why did you wait till my love was gone
Where were you oohhh darling where were you

Ooohhh oohhhh where were you yeahh
Where were you ohhh yeahhh

Overall Meaning

The song "Where Were You" by Brenda Holloway is a heart-wrenching ballad about lost love and the pain that comes with it. The lyrics describe the singer's longing for a love that was once strong and how she waited every day to hear the words that her partner wasn't able to say. She talks about the loneliness she felt even when surrounded by friends, and how she stayed single while all her friends had their own partners. The chorus poses the question of where her love was when she needed it the most, and why they waited until it was gone to try to come back into her life. The song also highlights the fact that even though the singer was good to her partner and tried to please them in every way possible, she still ended up being hurt when they would leave.

The song is incredibly powerful and relatable, as most people can relate to the pain of losing someone they loved deeply. The lyrics are simple, yet poignant, and the melody compliments the emotional intensity of the lyrics. Brenda Holloway's soulful voice adds depth and authenticity to the lyrics, making the listener feel her pain and heartbreak.

Where Were YouBrenda Holloway Lyrics

Where Were You
Brenda Holloway Lyrics