Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). Around this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. He had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1977. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records, which produced several hits, including many by Junior Delgado.
His first big hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. His song "Revolution" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.
Coming Home Tonight
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh. yeah, yeah.
If you want my loving,
And if you want my true loving,
If you want my squeezing,
If you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Open your heart for me.
Whenever I need you,
That's when you're not around. yeah.
There goes my heartbeat,
Oh isn't she sweet.
I know how you're feeling,
Day by day.
Oh please, don't make me.
Stop and wonder why.
For there's no reason why,
I should cry.
I'll tell you no lie, oh why.
Say if you want my loving,
And if you want my squeezing,
If you want my loving,
If you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Tell me that you love. love, love.
Tell me that you love, whoah, yes.
If you want my loving,
And if you want my kissing,
If you want my loving,
If you want my squeezing,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Open your heart for me. yeah.
Whenever I'm not happy,
That's when you're not around, yeah,
There goes my heartbeat,
Oh isn't she sweet.
I know how you're feeling,
Day by day.
Oh please, don't make me.
Stop and wonder why.
For there is no reason why,
I should cry.
I'll tell you no lie, oh why.
If you want my loving,
If you want my squeezing,
If you want me giving,
And if you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Tell me that you love, love, love.
Tell me that you love, yeah.
A chair is still a chair.
Even though there ain't no seat in there, alright.
I'm coming home tonight. alright,
I'm coming home tonight.
The lyrics of Dennis Brown's song "Coming Home Tonight" speak to the constant fluctuations in a relationship. The song is a plea for communication and a call to action for his lover to open up their heart to him. He is willing to offer his love, affection, and devotion in return for a reciprocal gesture of love from his partner. He is willing to be vulnerable and expresses his emotional needs to his partner. However, he acknowledges that things are not always going to be easy, and there will be moments of hurt and disappointment. He urges his lover not to leave him guessing or wondering why things are the way they are but instead to be open and honest.
The repetition of the line "If you want my loving" emphasizes how important it is for him to feel valued in the relationship. He also discusses how the lack of his partner's presence affects him, indicating that he feels incomplete without their companionship. The inclusion of the line "A chair is still a chair. Even though there ain't no seat in there" indicates that he still considers their relationship valid, even if it's not perfect. The line "I'm coming home tonight" completes the narrative arc of the song, indicating that he is willing to come back to his partner even after facing hardship in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoah yeah yeah,
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
If you want my loving,
If you are eager for my love and affection.
And if you want my true loving,
If you desire my authentic and sincere feelings of love.
If you want my squeezing,
If you want me to hold you tight and close.
Tell me that you love. love.
Express that you love me deeply and truly.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Affirm your love for me.
Open your heart for me.
Be vulnerable and let me in emotionally.
Whenever I need you,
At the very moment when I require your presence.
That's when you're not around. yeah.
Coincidentally, or perhaps intentionally, you are absent when I need you the most.
There goes my heartbeat,
My pulse increases and quickens, indicating my strong emotions.
Oh isn't she sweet.
She is so kind and wonderful.
I know how you're feeling,
I am aware of your state of mind at this time.
Day by day.
Every day, without exception.
Oh please, don't make me.
Do not force me to do something against my will.
Stop and wonder why.
Pause and reflect on the reasons behind a particular situation.
For there's no reason why,
There is no logical explanation for the circumstance at hand.
I should cry.
I should not shed tears.
I'll tell you no lie, oh why.
I am being honest and telling the truth about my feelings.
Say if you want my loving,
Reiterating that I am available to give love and affection.
And if you want my kissing,
If you desire intimacy and a physical connection.
If you want me giving,
If you are appreciative of my generosity and kindness.
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you feel love and affection for me.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Verify your feelings of love for me.
Open your heart for me. yeah.
Be receptive to giving and receiving love.
Whenever I'm not happy,
When I am feeling down or dissatisfied with my life.
That's when you're not around, yeah,
At those moments, you seem to be absent or unavailable.
A chair is still a chair.
Even if it doesn't have a seat, it's still a piece of furniture.
Even though there ain't no seat in there, alright.
Although one component is missing, it's still recognizable as the same object.
I'm coming home tonight. alright,
I will be returning home this evening with a sense of satisfaction and relief.
I'm coming home tonight.
I am returning to a place where I feel comfortable and loved.
Writer(s): Dennis Emanuel Brown Copyright: Dennis Emanuel Brown Music, Dennis Brown Music
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ninomaxi3311
Whoah yeah yeah,
Oh. yeah, yeah.
If you want my loving,
And if you want my true loving,
If you want my squeezing,
If you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Open your heart for me.
Whenever I need you,
That's when you're not around. yeah.
There goes my heartbeat,
Oh isn't she sweet.
I know how you're feeling,
Day by day.
Oh please, don't make me.
Stop and wonder why.
For there's no reason why,
I should cry.
I'll tell you no lie, oh why.
Say if you want my loving,
And if you want my squeezing,
If you want my loving,
If you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Tell me that you love. love, love.
Tell me that you love, whoah, yes.
If you want my loving,
And if you want my kissing,
If you want my loving,
If you want my squeezing,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Open your heart for me. yeah.
Whenever I'm not happy,
That's when you're not around, yeah,
There goes my heartbeat,
Oh isn't she sweet.
I know how you're feeling,
Day by day.
Oh please, don't make me.
Stop and wonder why.
For there is no reason why,
I should cry.
I'll tell you no lie, oh why.
If you want my loving,
If you want my squeezing,
If you want me giving,
And if you want my loving,
Tell me that you love. love.
Tell me that you love, yes.
Tell me that you love, love, love.
Tell me that you love, yeah.
A chair is still a chair.
Even though there ain't no seat in there, alright.
I'm coming home tonight. alright,
I'm coming home tonight.
@kuttproperfix5379
It's time Jamaica and the powers that be recognize these artistes for who they are and what they did for not reggae but Jamaica on a whole. We need a reggae hall of fame. There should be a statue of Dennis Brown in Kingston.
@michaelgreene1220
Dennis Emmanuel Brown will forever exist through his music, especially his lyrics. True crown Prince of Jah music. Rock on!
@meloniestewart8692
Big up to the reggae voice of Dennis brown
@pops1pops178
Dennis brown was so talented even in 2020 listening to this tune still to this day so unique the lyrics.
@smfbiz
I could listen to Dennis all day and night long.He is easy on the mind and soul soothing to the ears and heart!!
@SGunkor
Listening to this song after school is kina godlike!! R.I.P. Crown Prince of Raggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown!!
@kayburke3829
I can't get enough of Dennis Brown songs they make you feel good R I P Dennis blessing
@mpny
Dennis Brown had a voice made of velvet! His music will live on forever! Lovers Rock forever!!
@meloniestewart8692
Its called sugar voice
@olipam
I totally love this song thanks for posting