Carmen's first solo single "All By Myself" was penned by Carmen based on a classical theme by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It was subsequently covered by Celine Dion and also used in the opening scene of the movie 'Bridget Jones' Diary'.
Besides his successful solo career, Carmen is remembered as one of the rock'n'rollers behind the Cleveland, Ohio-based band The Raspberries. As lead vocalist and co-songwriter, he helped the group gain big popularity in the 70s through arena-ready hits such as "Go All the Way" and "Tonight", with the band becoming a cult figure among power pop fans. Carmen reunited with Raspberries producer Jimmy Ienner to be a part of the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack, a commercial juggernaut that achieved massive success and was RIAA certified multi-platinum. Carmen's song "Hungry Eyes" reached the top 40 charts in Canada, Germany, the U.S., and elsewhere while attracting critical acclaim. Over the years, Carmen's work has been praised by many of his fellow musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr among others.
On 24 December 2013, the first new recording in over 15 years by Carmen titled "Brand New Year" was released.
Last Night
Eric Carmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just play some records
And catch up on some sleep
Sometimes I like to be alone
I've been so busy
Maybe someone will drop by
Last night when I went to bed
Last night when I went to bed
I was so blue
But that's the last night
Yeah, that's the last night
Well, that's the last night
I'm gonna lose any sleep over you
I waited for the phone to ring
And when it didn't
I turned on the Carson show
I lit another cigarette
And dialed your number
But there was no one at home
Last night when I went to bed
I was lonely
Last night when I went to bed
I was so blue
But that's the last night
Yeah, that's the last night
Well, that's the last night
I'm gonna lose any sleep over you
I walked across the street
To the drugstore and I bought a magazine
Then I came back home
And read it through
Last night when I went to bed
I was lonely
Last night when I went to bed
I was so blue
But that's the last night
Yeah, that's the last night
Well, that's the last night
I'm gonna lose any sleep over you
I think I'll stay at home tonight
Just play some records
And catch up on some sleep
The lyrics to Eric Carmen's "Last Night" portray the singer's introspective state after a failed attempt at reaching out to someone they were hoping to see. The singer decides to stay home, play some records, and catch up on some sleep. While they like to be alone sometimes, the lyrics suggest that they were hoping someone would drop by, and they waited for the phone to ring, but when it didn't, they turned on the Carson show. The loneliness and melancholy of the singer are highlighted, as they light another cigarette and dial the other person's number, only to find out that there is no one home on the other end.
The chorus repeats the idea that the previous night was the last night the singer would lose any sleep over the other person, emphasizing the sense of finality and moving on from the relationship. The singer then walks to the drugstore and buys a magazine, only to come home and read it through, further emphasizing the sense of loneliness and the inability to fill the void left by the other person's absence.
Overall, "Last Night" is a poignant portrayal of the feeling of being left behind and learning to move on, even when it means being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'll stay at home tonight
I prefer to spend tonight at home.
Just play some records
I will listen to some music.
And catch up on some sleep
I will rest and try to sleep.
Sometimes I like to be alone
I enjoy solitude sometimes.
I've been so busy
I've had a lot to do recently.
Maybe someone will drop by
Perhaps someone will visit me.
Last night when I went to bed
When I went to bed last night.
I was lonely
I felt isolated and without company.
I was so blue
I was sad and melancholic.
But that's the last night
I won't have another night like that.
Yeah, that's the last night
That's definitely the last time that will happen.
Well, that's the last night
That is definitively the last occurrence of that situation.
I'm gonna lose any sleep over you
I won't let thinking about you keep me awake at night.
I waited for the phone to ring
I hoped someone would call me.
And when it didn't
But it didn't happen.
I turned on the Carson show
I watched the Johnny Carson TV show.
I lit another cigarette
I smoke another cigarette.
And dialed your number
I called you on the phone.
But there was no one at home
You weren't available when I called you.
I walked across the street
I crossed the street.
To the drugstore and I bought a magazine
I bought a magazine at the drugstore.
Then I came back home
I returned to my home.
And read it through
I read the magazine from beginning to end.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC CARMEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
perpetual61
I'm Proud to say I still have the "Eric Carmen " Album from 1975.
Kingsley Day
Musical quotation from Chopin's E major Etude starts at 1:52--to go along with all the Rachmaninoff quotations on this album.
Kingsley Day
@Bayard August Copyright was much less regulated in the 19th century, and in any case anything written that long ago would've been in the public domain by the time Eric Carmen issued this album. But as your question implies, he did end up paying royalties to the Rachmaninoff estate.
Bayard August
Did he have to share the royalties with Chopin's estate also?
Jonathan Nieto
!Otra fusión exitosa de Míster Eric Carmen¡ Está canción tiene reminiscencias de Tristteze de Chopin. Es una belleza. Gracias por compartirla. Desde 1.976 la he admirado pues viene en el álbum de "All by myself". Tiene unas atmósferas muy sugestivas en que se respira armonia, paz, sociego, nivelación, sublimidad. Saludos.
Jonathan Nieto
Musica sorprendente. Me tomo un cafe a las 2:45 afternoon y disfruto. Bellisima melodia, me recuerda a Chopin en "Tristesse".
Brett Koeshall
Eric Carmen going solo since the Raspberries had broken up.