Originally there were five members in the band. Franke and the Knockouts were signed by Jimmy Ienner of Millennium Records in 1981 and had three U.S. Top 40 singles and two Top 50 albums. Franke and the Knockouts' biggest single, "Sweetheart," was written by Previte and Guitarist Billy Elworthy and became a Top 10 hit in 1981, peaking at #10 in the U.S. Previte told Songfacts: "The song 'Sweetheart' almost didn't make the record. Jimmy thought it was a hit but a little to cute for a rock band. He was right."
They also wrote and released the original versions of Eric Carmen's 1987 hit single "Hungry Eyes" as well as the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," (both of which were featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing). Previte would later be an Academy Award winner. The band switched to MCA in 1984 and had several album releases but they disbanded in 1986. The group's other two Top 40 hits were "You're My Girl" and "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)."
Without You
Franke & The Knockouts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You used to close your eyes
And say real low, uh-huh
Baby I'm satisfied
Oh, I remember like it was yesterday
So stop pretending, ooh baby, didn't ya hear me say
Chorus
Not another lonely night, no more lonely days
Cause I don't want to be without you
No, not another lonely night, cause it ain't feelin' right
And it just ain't the same for me
Without you
Ya know, not too long ago
You used to hold me tight
So then, let me know, before you go
Ooh baby, what's on your mind
Oh, oh I remember like it was yesterday
So stop pretending, ooh baby, didn't ya hear me say
Baby, without you
Just tell me now that you remember
All those nights you loved me tender
There's nothin' I wont do without you
Not another lonely night, no more lonely days
It ain't the same without you
Not another lonely night, cause it ain't feelin' right
It ain't the same without you
Not another lonely night, no more lonely days
It ain't the same without you Not another lonely night,
Cause it ain't feelin' right I don't wanna be
Without You by Franke & The Knockouts is a song about a failing relationship in which the singer is urging their partner not to leave them. The first verse describes the memories of the past when the partner used to be satisfied in the relationship and how it has changed since then. The singer is asking their partner to stop pretending that everything is okay and listen to what they have to say. In the chorus, the singer emphasizes their desire not to be lonely anymore and not to live a day without their partner by their side. The second verse continues the same theme of reminiscing about the past and begging their partner to communicate what is on their mind before leaving. The final part of the song reiterates the same sentiments by pleading with their partner to remember the love they shared and the memories they created.
The lyrics of Without You are straightforward and honest, conveying a message of love, fear, and uncertainty about the future of the relationship. The melody and the beat of the song match the lyrical mood, creating a soulful and nostalgic vibe, which adds a depth of emotion to the words. The song is relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak and the fear of being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, not too long ago
Recalling a recent past, possibly shared with the listener
You used to close your eyes
The listener would relax and trust the singer
And say real low, uh-huh
The listener would silently affirm their satisfaction
Baby I'm satisfied
The listener expressed contentment and happiness
Oh, I remember like it was yesterday
The singer has fond memories of the past
So stop pretending, ooh baby, didn't ya hear me say
The singer is implores the listener to stop hiding their true feelings
Not another lonely night, no more lonely days
The singer doesn't want to be lonely anymore
Cause I don't want to be without you
The singer is making it clear they need the listener in their life
No, not another lonely night, cause it ain't feelin' right
Being without the listener doesn't feel good to the singer
And it just ain't the same for me
The singer's life is incomplete without the listener
Without you
The refrain emphasizes the importance of the listener
Ya know, not too long ago
The singer is reminiscing about the past
You used to hold me tight
The listener used to be physically affectionate with the singer
So then, let me know, before you go
The singer is asking the listener to communicate their intentions
Ooh baby, what's on your mind
The singer is trying to understand what the listener is thinking
Just tell me now that you remember
The singer is reminding the listener of their shared history
All those nights you loved me tender
The listener was affectionate and gentle in the past
There's nothin' I wont do without you
The singer is willing to do anything to keep the listener in their life
It ain't the same without you
Life is less fulfilling without the listener
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Franke Previte, Blake Levinsohn, Billy Elworthy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind