A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' début, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. Later she became the vocalist with a British 12-piece Stax-influenced, jazz-rock fusion band called Dada that released one, eponymous, album in 1970.
Brooks, along with guitarist Pete Gage, singer Robert Palmer and bassist Steve York formed Vinegar Joe in 1971, adding keyboard player Dave Thompson. The band was without a drummer; Conrad Isidore and Rob Tait drummed on the first album, released in 1972.
In 1974, after three albums Vinegar Joe split and Brooks went solo. After a time in the US as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M records was Rich Man's Woman (1975).
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Elkie Brooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and on your own
How did it feel
to be alone?
I was always thinking
of games that I was playing.
Trying to make
the best of my time.
But only love
can break your heart
Try to be sure
right from the start
Yes only love
can break your heart
What if your world
should fall apart?
I have a friend
I've never seen
He hides his head
inside a dream
Someone should call him
and see if he can come out.
Try to lose
the down that he's found.
But only love
can break your heart
Try to be sure
right from the start
Yes only love
can break your heart
What if your world
should fall apart?
I have a friend
I've never seen
He hides his head
inside a dream
Yes, only love
can break your heart
Yes, only love
can break your heart
Elkie Brooks's song "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a melancholic ballad that speaks about the feelings of loneliness and heartbreak one experiences during their youth. The song reflects on the past when the singer, and possibly the listeners, were young and alone. Brooks poses the question of how it feels to be alone, and she expresses that she spent her time playing games and trying to make the best of her time. However, she acknowledges that despite her efforts, only love can truly break one's heart.
The second verse introduces the story of a friend who hides his head inside a dream. Here, Brooks urges that someone should call and see if he can come out, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the dangers of isolation. In the final lines of the song, Brooks repeats the central theme, stating that only love can break your heart. It is a beautiful and poignant reminder to cherish the ones we love and to take the time to show them that we care.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were young
Back when you were in your youth
and on your own
Feeling isolated and self-reliant
How did it feel
What was the sensation like
to be alone?
Being without companionship, how did it make you feel?
I was always thinking
My thoughts were often occupied with
of games that I was playing.
The fun activities I was engaged in
Trying to make
Attempting to create
the best of my time.
Optimizing every moment to get the most out of it
But only love
Still, the only thing that
can break your heart
has the power to shatter you emotionally
Try to be sure
Be confident and certain
right from the start
From the very beginning
What if your world
What would happen if your life
should fall apart?
Completely disintegrated?
I have a friend
There is an acquaintance of mine
I've never seen
That I have never met
He hides his head
He tends to bury himself
inside a dream
In his vivid imagination
Someone should call him
It would be beneficial if someone contacted him
and see if he can come out.
And ascertain his willingness to surface from his reverie
Try to lose
Help him discard
the down that he's found.
His despair and negative feelings that he has come across
Yes, only love
Certainly, it's only love
can break your heart
That can hurt you the most
Yes, only love
Absolutely, it's solely love
can break your heart
That can crush you emotionally
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrew West
Always loved this one
moggs
Another classic rendition of a great song by the estimable Ms. Brooks.
Lorraine
Awesome song..always loved her. Classic.
stnicholas54
Go to it, Elkie. Show them how. My late Da once heard this song on the radio at his home and he asked me who the singer was. When I told him he said she had a marvelous gravelly voice.
Maria Ginty
Always preferred Elkie’s cover ❤️
london19657
timeless
darren bentley
brilliant
CJ DJ gamer
Happy memories...compared to now.
Julian Putra
yes please, more.
JAMES WIGLESWORTH
Love Elkie Brooks, but sadly this is outclassed by The original, the tempo is far to upbeat