At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when he made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. He has since been a guest on several Atkins albums. Atkins, reciprocating as well, joined Earl on his Magic In Your Eyes album. Klugh was also influenced by Bob James, Ray Parker Jr, Wes Montgomery and Laurindo Almeida. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and rhythm' and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet contemporary music original to only him.
Klugh became a guitar instructor at the young age of 15, and was eventually discovered by Yusef Lateef. His career rapidly progressed to working with the likes of George Benson, George Shearing, Chick Corea, and many others. Like several other Detroit-bred entertainers, Klugh attended Mumford High School (Michigan).
For their album One on One, Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981. He has since received 13 Grammy nods, millions of record and CD sales, and continues touring worldwide to this day.
Maybe Tonight
Earl Klugh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you anything to say to me?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
Where someone's waiting to be kissed?
Skylark
Have you seen a valley green with spring?
Over the shadows and the rain
To a blossom covered lane
And in your lonely flight
Haven't you heard the music in the night?
Wonderful music, faint as a will o' the wisp
Crazy as a loon, sad as a gypsy serenading the moon
Oh skylark
I don't know if you can find these things
But my heart is riding on your wings
So if you see them anywhere
Won't you lead me there?
Oh skylark
I don't know if you can find these things
But my heart is riding on your wings
So if you see them anywhere
Won't you lead me there?
The lyrics of Earl Klugh’s "Maybe Tonight" is actually a cover of Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark." The song explores the search for love and the idea of the unidentified and elusive Skylark who could potentially assist the singer in his quest for love. The Skylark in the song becomes a symbol for the search of something that is lost and the longing for something that may likely never be found. This song is an exploration of the journey that one takes to find love and the hope that one holds onto despite the challenges that may come with it.
The song creates a vivid image of nature in the first two lines with the question about a message from a bird, Skylark. The singer then questions the bird about whether he knows where the love he desires can be found. The song progresses to the idea of a new beginning, a rebirth - symbolised by the green valley in spring that the singer longs for. The journey to attain love is complex, and the singer suggests that it can take him over various obstacles such as shadows and rain.
The song then takes a more poetic tone, with the idea of music on the night wind, signifying the deep emotion that the singer feels when he thinks of the possibility of love. The song ends with the singer once again requesting Skylark, to lead him to love.
Overall, Earl Klugh's version of "Skylark in Maybe Tonight" is a moving exploration of the search for love. It is unique in that the songwriter uses the metaphor of Skylark to represent the journey that one must undertake in hopes of finding love.
Line by Line Meaning
Skylark
Addressing the bird known as Skylark
Have you anything to say to me?
Asking the Skylark if it has any message to pass on
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Requesting the Skylark to indicate the location of the singer's beloved
Is there a meadow in the mist
Asking if a shadowy meadow exists somewhere
Where someone's waiting to be kissed?
Wondering if someone is anticipating a kiss in that meadow
Skylark
Addressing the bird again
Have you seen a valley green with spring?
Asking if the bird has seen a picturesque valley during springtime
Where my heart can go a journeying
Expressing desire for the heart to explore and wander in that valley
Over the shadows and the rain
In spite of the shadows and rain, which speaks of adversity
To a blossom covered lane
Heading towards a beautiful lane covered with flowers
And in your lonely flight
Noting that the Skylark flies alone
Haven't you heard the music in the night?
Asking if the Skylark has heard any music during its night flight
Wonderful music, faint as a will o' the wisp
Describing the music as enchanting and elusive
Crazy as a loon, sad as a gypsy serenading the moon
Characterizing the music as insane and melancholic, like a gypsy singing to the moon
Oh Skylark
Addressing the bird again
I don't know if you can find these things
Admitting that the bird may not be able to locate what the singer is looking for
But my heart is riding on your wings
Longing for the bird to take the heart along in its flight
So if you see them anywhere
In case the bird comes across any of the things mentioned before
Won't you lead me there?
Pleading with the bird to guide the singer toward the desired destination
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Mokoena
on Across the Sand
When I first heard this in 1994 I was in school on the radio by non other than ausi Makgotso (aka Mamontha Modise) will make sure that as the program starts I've tuned in and waiting for her to introduce herself, still my favorite.