In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
I'm Lonely Tonight
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After you said we're through
Well, you're right
Cause I'm lonely tonight
If you think I'm alone
Hoping you'll telephone
Well, you're right
Take away
Take away your embrace
And your kiss
What is there in this life?
I could miss
If you think I need you
Only you'll ever do
Well, you're right
I'm lonely tonight
Take away
Take away your embrace
And your kiss
What is there in this life?
I could miss
If you think I need you
Only you'll ever do
Well, you're right
I'm lonely tonight.
The Lyrics to Clyde McPhatter's song "I'm Lonely Tonight" express the pain and sorrow of someone who has just ended a relationship. The singer clearly still has feelings for his former partner and struggles to cope with the emptiness left in the wake of the breakup. He admits that he is missing his former partner and is hoping for a reconciliation, but he is painfully aware that it might never come to pass.
The opening verse suggests that the singer acknowledges the hurt and the pain that the breakup has caused him. He realizes that if his former partner thinks he misses her, she is right, as he is indeed lonely tonight. The second verse shows that the singer is hoping for a call from his ex-lover. He yearns for her embrace and kisses, and mentions how much he would miss her if she weren't in his life. The chorus repeats the theme that he needs his former partner and that he is lonely without her. The singer is admitting his vulnerability and pain, acknowledging that his life feels empty without his partner in it.
Line by Line Meaning
If you think I miss you
It's true that I miss you, even though you broke up with me.
After you said we're through
I still feel sad and lonely even after you ended our relationship.
Well, you're right
Your assumptions about my feelings are correct.
Cause I'm lonely tonight
I am feeling lonely and empty tonight without you.
If you think I'm alone
I am indeed alone without you.
Hoping you'll telephone
I want you to call me so we can talk and be together again.
Take away
Remove from me.
Take away your embrace
Remove the comfort and security of your hugs and physical closeness.
And your kiss
Also take away the intimacy and connection we shared through kissing.
What is there in this life?
Without your love and presence, what meaning or joy does life hold for me?
I could miss
There are many things in life that I could potentially miss, but you are unique and irreplaceable.
If you think I need you
It's true that I rely on you for emotional support and happiness.
Only you'll ever do
You are the only one who can fill the void in my heart and bring me true fulfillment.
Well, you're right
Again, your understanding of my feelings is accurate.
I'm lonely tonight
The loneliness is especially intense tonight, and I yearn to have you by my side again.
Writer(s): J. Geramite
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.