If You Leave Me Now
Chicago椀 Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you leave me now
You'll take away the biggest part of me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go
And if you leave me now
You'll take away the very heart of me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go
Oh, oh, oh, oh, girl, I just want you to stay
A love like ours is love that's hard to find
How could we let it slip away
We've come too far to leave it all behind
How could we end it all this way
When tomorrow comes and we'll both regret
The things we said today

A love like ours is love that's hard to find
How could we let it slip away
We've come too far to leave it all behind
How could we end it all this way
When tomorrow comes and we'll both regret
The things we said today

If you leave me now
You'll take away the biggest part of me
Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go

Oh, girl, I just got to have you by my side

Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go





Oh, my, my, I just got to have your loving

Overall Meaning

The song "If You Leave Me Now" by Chicago is a classic ballad that captures the essence of love and the fear of losing it. The lyrics depict a man pleading with his partner not to leave him, as it would take away the biggest part of him and break his heart into pieces. The singer goes on to explain that the love they share is one that is hard to find and that they have come too far to give it all up. The song speaks of the intense love and pain that come with relationships, especially those that are long-lasting and meaningful.


The repetition of the phrase "oh, oh, oh, oh" throughout the song gives it a wistful and mournful tone, adding to the overall feeling of sadness and loss. The singer is aware of the fact that if their partner leaves, they will both regret the things they said and did. The song hints at the idea that love is fragile and should be valued, as losing it can bring immense pain and sorrow. The final lines of the song emphasize the singer's desire to have their partner by their side, highlighting the importance of love and companionship.


Interestingly, "If You Leave Me Now" was Chicago's first number one hit in the United States, reaching the top spot in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976. It won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus in 1977. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Boyz II Men, Shirley Bassey, and Barry Manilow. The song's success catapulted Chicago into superstardom, and they continued to produce hit songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s.


Line by Line Meaning

If you leave me now
Without you, my life will lose all meaning


You'll take away the biggest part of me
You have become an integral part of my life and without you, nothing will be the same


Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go
I can't bear the thought of you leaving me


And if you leave me now
If you go away, my heart will break into a million pieces


You'll take away the very heart of me
You are the center of my world and without you, everything will crumble


Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go
I am pleading with you to reconsider leaving me


Oh, oh, oh, oh, girl, I just want you to stay
My heart is yearning for you, I need you to stay with me


A love like ours is love that's hard to find
Our love is rare and special, and not easily replaced


How could we let it slip away
We can't let our love fade away and disappear


We've come too far to leave it all behind
We have put in so much effort to build what we have, it's not worth losing it all


How could we end it all this way
We can't let our love fall apart and end in a messy way


When tomorrow comes and we'll both regret
We will both feel the pain of what we've lost if we let this love slip away


The things we said today
Our words and actions have consequences on our future together


Oh, girl, I just got to have you by my side
You are the only one for me and I can't bear to be without you


Oh, oh, oh, oh, no, baby please don't go
I am begging you to stay with me, please don't leave


Oh, my, my, I just got to have your loving
I need your love, it's what keeps me going and makes life worth living




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: PETER CETERA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions