Daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, Deborah Anderson's earliest musical work is on projects with her father: including backing vocals on Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989), the 1993 Latin American Jon Anderson solo tour, Deseo (1994), Angels Embrace (1995) and Toltec (1996). In the 1983 Jon & Vangelis album Private Collection, Jon wrote the lyrics and sang "Deborah", a song dedicated to his daughter.
Deborah Anderson's debut solo single, "Lonely Without You", was released on Mo' Wax. She has worked as a vocalist on a number of projects, including appearing and co-writing on Télépopmusik's album Angel Milk. She is working on a solo mini-album, called Paperthin. The album will be released with a coffee table book of her black and white photography based on 1920s erotica.
Anderson also works as a photographer, including projects for The Gansevoort Hotel group and campaign images for P!nk's album I'm Not Dead. Anderson has also been doing magazine work, including for Smooth.
Lonely Without You
Deborah Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one could replace you
Of that I have no doubt
I know I moved away from you
I said I'd do without
I know I wanted more from you
I gather you together
Battered by the world outside
But I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
I've cried amidst the silence
I've screamed amongst myself
Shattered all the plans we had
And you just held your breath
But I'm lonely without you
I'm lonely without you
But I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
I know I wanted more from you
But strength was never on your side
I gather you together
Battered by the world outside
But I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
I'm lonely without you
Lonely without you
The song "Lonely Without You" by Deborah Anderson expresses the deep emotional pain of separation from someone who is irreplaceable. The opening lines suggest that no one can take the place of the person she misses. Despite having moved away and promised to manage without that person, there is an inherent sense of desperation in the feelings she expresses. She acknowledges that she may have wanted more from the person, but understood that they were not strong enough to give it. Anderson then sympathizes with the one she has separated from, acknowledging that they have been battered by the world outside. The loneliness she feels is palpable, and the repetition of the phrase "lonely without you" reinforces her sense of loss and longing.
In the second verse, Anderson reveals that she has gone through a range of emotions – crying, screaming, and shattering the plans they had made together. She seems to be holding the other person responsible for the breakdown of their relationship, while acknowledging that they too are suffering. However, her sense of loneliness only intensifies. The repetition of "I'm lonely without you" in the chorus, along with the plaintive tone of Anderson's voice, creates a haunting melody that captures the universal sense of loss and sadness that comes with separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely without you
The feeling of sadness and emptiness due to the absence of someone important.
No one could replace you
The belief that no one else can fill the void left by the person who is missed.
Of that I have no doubt
The certainty that there is no doubt about the inability of others to replace the missed person.
I know I moved away from you
The realization that the separation was caused by the artist's own decision.
I said I'd do without
The promise made by the artist to manage without the missed person, which now feels difficult to keep.
I know I wanted more from you
The realization that the singer had expectations from the missed person.
But strength was never on your side
The acknowledgment that the missed person may have lacked the strength to fulfill those expectations.
I gather you together
The effort made by the artist to bring the missed person close.
Battered by the world outside
The realization that the missed person may have gone through difficulties and challenges outside of the relationship.
I've cried amidst the silence
The expression of emotions through tears and sorrow even in the absence of the missed person.
I've screamed amongst myself
The venting of frustration and anger in solitude.
Shattered all the plans we had
The acknowledgement that separation led to disruption of shared dreams and goals.
And you just held your breath
The realization that the missed person may have been unable or unwilling to respond to the singer's distress.
But I'm lonely without you
Reiteration of the feeling of sadness, despair, and longing in the absence of the missed person.
I'm lonely without you
Repetition of the same emotion and realization of the missed person's impact on the singer.
Lonely without you
Final reiteration of the feeling of loneliness and longing for the missed person.
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matthijs Bevers
One of my all time favorites! Thanks for sharing
Alexander Green
Thank you so much for this upload. I have the sleeve for this record but actually never found the record again. There is something really specail about this production. The break is class and the vocal cuts through with it
Uscareme
Thanks so much
regolyth
Got the promo version of this on wax if anyone's after it