NEXT TO YOU
Childs Toni Lyrics
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If you want me to
I could hold you
Maybe I could show you
But I'm afraid
Cause you see I have been hurt before
Though I don't want to hurt no more
Is strong in me
Is strong in me
Could you tell me who you are
And would I really want to know
What's it been for you
Just to trust and hold on, too
I'd like to get next to you
Whenever you wanted to
I'd like to get next to you
Whenever you wanted to
You could hold me
Maybe you could show me
How to trust
Cause you see I have been hurt before
Though I don't want to hurt no more
This feeling inside of me
Is strong in me
Is strong in me
Could I tell you who I am
And would you really want to know
What it's been for me
Just to trust and to believe
Could I show you who I am
Would you really want to understand
Holding skin to skin
My emotion feels like it has no end
Could I show you myself
Could I get right next to you,
Next to you
The lyrics to Toni Childs' "Next to You" express a deep yearning for intimacy and vulnerability with another person, yet the fear of past pain and hurt acts as a barrier to achieving this. The opening lines of "I'd like to get next to you/If you want me to" indicate a desire to connect with someone, but a hesitancy to do so without invitation. The lyrics that follow express a vulnerability and longing for what could be, but also an acknowledgment that the artist has been hurt in the past, and is hesitant to open up fully.
The lines, "Could you tell me who you are/And would I really want to know/What's it been for you/Just to trust and hold on, too" show a willingness to connect with someone, but also an understanding that opening up requires trust from both parties. The repetition of the line "I'd like to get next to you" throughout the song emphasizes this longing for closeness and intimacy, but also the fear of the unknown and the possibility of getting hurt.
The bridge of the song changes the perspective from the artist's point of view to that of the listener, asking if they could also open up and show vulnerability: "Could I show you who I am/Would you really want to understand/Holding skin to skin/My emotion feels like it has no end." The yearning for connection is mutual, but the underlying fear of potential hurt remains, emphasizing the importance of trust and open communication in any intimate relationship.
Overall, "Next to You" is a powerful and emotionally charged ballad about the desire for connection and intimacy, alongside the fear of the potential pain that may come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to get next to you
I want to be close to you.
If you want me to
I am willing to be close to you if you want me to be.
I could hold you
I am capable of holding you.
Maybe I could show you
Perhaps I can demonstrate something to you.
But I'm afraid
However, I am worried or anxious.
Cause you see I have been hurt before
Because I have experienced pain in the past.
Though I don't want to hurt no more
However, I do not want to cause or feel pain anymore.
This feeling inside of me
These emotions within me.
Is strong in me
Are intense and powerful.
Could you tell me who you are
Would you be willing to share information about yourself with me?
And would I really want to know
But am I really prepared to hear what you have to say?
What's it been for you
What have your experiences been like?
Just to trust and hold on, too
To rely on someone and hold onto them for support.
Whenever you wanted to
Anytime you desire.
You could hold me
It is possible for you to embrace me.
Maybe you could show me
Perhaps you can teach me or demonstrate something to me.
How to trust
How to have faith in others.
Could I tell you who I am
Would I be able to share with you who I truly am?
And would you really want to know
But would you truly want to hear my story?
What it's been for me
What my life experiences have been like.
Just to trust and to believe
To depend on others and have faith in them.
Could I show you who I am
Would it be possible for me to reveal my true self to you?
Would you really want to understand
Would you truly want to comprehend who I am?
Holding skin to skin
Physical contact.
My emotion feels like it has no end
My feelings seem boundless.
Could I show you myself
Can I reveal my true self to you?
Could I get right next to you
Can I be close to you?
Next to you
In your proximity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TONI CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richie is Major Drama!
Love this woman, love her music, love her message (and she looks fantastic and beautiful) – she makes the world a better place – thank you
ngtflyer
It's ten years later and I hope you are doing well and reading this. I just happened to be going through my music and ran across an old favorite song of yours, "Dreamer" and decided to search Youtube for maybe the video, and I came across this. I am glad you are doing better and still making music. I've been a fan for decades. Cheers!
John Gray
Toni Childs: Truly a wold talent, an incredible singer songwriter and a voice like no other! Here’s hoping she tours Scotland some day! 🏴
Jelena Lazarevic
You are beautiful Toni. Your music once served as my only inspiration to change my life in my darkest hours of '91/92 . Your song I've got to go now mirrored exactly what I knew I had to do and helped me out of my fear of doing it. Thank you. Can't wait to hear your new music <3
Eric Walker
Stop Your Fussing. My favorite song by you. Your voice has soul, much soulfulness.
Thander Easton
Toni, come to Sao Paulo in Brazil. I fell in love with your music since I saw you at the Grammy Awards back in 1989-90. I can't quite understand how cruel is this world as we see talented people like yourself with no space in the media while loads of rubbish music playing massively at the radio and TV all around the world, Sad thing!
Linda Lightfoot
A thank you from one "citizen of the planet" to another. I have listened to you since when you first appeared on the music scene. Your voice entranced me then and still does BUT what you say in your songs touches my soul. You words have helped me move through some things in my life and right now Keep the Faith plays here every day :) I foresee a future for our planet when this is what we do - we support each other and we all get to live our passion. Thank you for living your passion!
Sigrid Gulau
Ich bin fasziniert von ihrer Stimme und die wunderschönen Texte. Jeder ihrer Songs. I loved so much. Thank you very much Toni Childs. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇩🇪👍
Anne Saree
Aloha and mahalo to you, Toni, for a wonderful, empowering and inspiring experience last night, here in Fremantle, Western Australia!! I have already thanked you in a comment on Facebook (Anne Tieppo), but wanted to do so on here as well. Much love to you always xxoo ♥
Jerrythecoo
Stay strong Toni!!!!!!!! Keep the music coming....................🇨🇦