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 Will Set You Free
Elkie Brooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the night breaks down around you
And you've got no-one - for the first time
Where you gonna run
When the midnight sun can't find you
In the freezing cold, 'cause you're on your own
I know you think
You feel you're in control
Let me tell you now
Only love
Only love will set you free
Only love
Only love will set you free
What you gonna do
When the rain tears into your life
And you're feeling scared - no-one cares
When the radio, a video, the song
Of a hero can't turn you on
Can you get it back - like the last time
I know you think
You're gonna last forever
And nothing ever changes
Let me tell you now
Only love
Only love will set you free
Only love
Only love will set you free
Only love (when the rain starts falling)
(When your heart is calling)
Only love will set you free
Only love (when you wanna make out)
(When you need to break out)
Can you get that feeling
Can you get it back
Can you make it happen
Bring it alive
Remember
(When the fire stops burning)
(When the wheel stops turning)
Only love will set you free
Only love (when the rain starts falling)
(When your heart is calling)
Only love will set you free
Only love (when you wanna make out)
(When you need to break out)
Only love will set you free
Only love
Only love will set you free
Only love
Only love will set you free
Elkie Brooks’s song “Only Love Will Set You Free” speaks to the challenges of facing difficult times on your own and realizing that ultimately only love can help you overcome life’s struggles. The song presents a series of questions for the listener. What do you do when the night falls around you and you find yourself alone for the first time? Where do you run when you cannot find anyone to help you combat the cold? What happens when nothing can turn you on and you feel scared and alone in the world? Brooks acknowledges that people often believe they have everything under control, that they will last forever, and that nothing will ever change. But the reality is that in times of hardship, true happiness and freedom can only come through love.
The lyrics of “Only Love Will Set You Free” are motivational, and the overall message is clear: love is the ultimate answer, the key to unlocking true happiness and freedom, and the only way to truly break out of difficult circumstances. By relying solely on love, one can weather any storm or challenge. Brooks states that love is the only thing that can bring feelings back, make them happen, and bring them alive.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gonna do
What is your plan
When the night breaks down around you
When everything falls apart
And you've got no-one - for the first time
And you have nobody to turn to for the first time
Where you gonna run
Where will you go
When the midnight sun can't find you
When even hope seems unreachable
In the freezing cold, 'cause you're on your own
In a lonely and hopeless state
I know you think
I know you believe
You've got it all together
You have everything under control
You feel you're in control
You believe you can handle any situation
Let me tell you now
But listen to what I have to say
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Liberate you from darkness
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Free you from despair
What you gonna do
What is your plan
When the rain tears into your life
When challenges trouble your life
And you're feeling scared - no-one cares
And you feel alone and scared
When the radio, a video, the song
When usual sources of inspiration
Of a hero can't turn you on
Fail to lift you up
Can you get it back - like the last time
Can you regain the positive emotions you felt last time
I know you think
I know you believe
You're gonna last forever
You believe in your invincibility
And nothing ever changes
You think everything will always remain the same
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Liberate you from darkness
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Free you from despair
Only love (when the rain starts falling)
Only love (comes during dark times)
(When your heart is calling)
(When you need it the most)
Only love will set you free
Only love can liberate you
Only love (when you wanna make out)
Only love (when you're feeling passionate)
(When you need to break out)
(When you want to escape your problems)
Can you get that feeling
Can you rekindle that emotion
Can you get it back
Can you get it again
Can you make it happen
Can you bring it about
Bring it alive
Make it real
Remember
Don't forget
(When the fire stops burning)
(When you lose your passion)
(When the wheel stops turning)
(When life seems stagnant)
Only love will set you free
Only love can liberate you
Only love (when the rain starts falling)
Only love (comes during dark times)
(When your heart is calling)
(When you need it the most)
Only love will set you free
Only love can liberate you
Only love (when you wanna make out)
Only love (when you're feeling passionate)
(When you need to break out)
(When you want to escape your problems)
Only love will set you free
Only love can liberate you
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Liberate you from darkness
Only love
Only love can
Only love will set you free
Free you from despair
Contributed by Jason A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.