Gene began to play the drums from … Read Full Bio ↴born in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Gene began to play the drums from the age of four although his first job was in a music store.
While still at school he met Earl Klugh with whom he formed a group.
By the mid-70's Gene was playing drums for Earl professionally, Earl also helping to secure Gene a solo recording deal with Capitol in the early 80's.
His three albums were 'It's Just The Way I Feel' (1981), including 'Before You Break My Heart' (ably assisted vocally by the Ridgeway Sisters), 'Party In Me' (1982) and 'Tired Of Being A Nice Guy' (1983) including the excellent 'Take Back My Love'.
He also played drums with Roy Ayers on 'Don't Stop The Feeling'.
In 1994, he released 'Groove with You', credited to the Gene Dunlap Band, on Avenue Jazz Records, but shortly after gave up performing to teach inner city youth in Detroit.
In April 2000, he returned with his second Avenue Jazz album, 'Tales of the Phatman'.
Before You Break My Heart
Gene Dunlap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to kiss and hold you before you break my heart body-ah-ta-ta-ta-ta body-ah-ta-ta body-ah-de-ah-ta-ta (repeat 1 time)
Feelings like I lost you heaven heard to me
Baby can it be (baby can it be)that you no longer need my loving
It's time for us to express farewell
It's been more than swell (It's been more than swell)
I can't believe it's ending
All the redwoods have stopped shinning shinning
Yes they've lost their glow
The magic that was all around us
Where did it go (where did it go) baby don't you know (I love you so)
They told me that this rainbow had no pot of gold
But fools like me will never realize
People go and people come into our lives
But tomorrow brings another rain
Please let me get to know (let me get to know you) you before you break my heart, I want to kiss and hold you before you break my heart
Searching for that feeling I held you close to me
But obviously your flame for me was over now
Guess I'll have to give you back your promises
So good they were (so good they were)
Ooh baby it's gonna hurt
Memories I'll always cherish (cherish)
Since we had great times and my minds still hanging on it baby
Are they really gone baby what went wrong ohh it seemed so strong
They told me that this rainbow had no pot of gold
But fools like me will never never realize (will never realize)
People go and people come into our lives but tomorrow brings another rain
(Instrumental)
Please let me get to know you (let me get to know you) before you break my heart
I want to kiss and hold you before you break my heart I want to know you kiss and hold you
Gotta give up gotta give up on you before you break my heart
Cause I need a love that's true (before you break my heart)
Gotta give up It's in your eyes my heart can tell It's time for us to say farewell gotta give up
Good-bye baby (before you break my heart---gotta give up----repeat)
Ooh-ooh
The lyrics of Gene Dunlap's song "Before You Break My Heart" are about wanting to get to know someone before getting hurt in a relationship. The singer wants to hold and kiss the person, but also wants to make sure that their feelings are genuine and it is not just a fleeting romance. The song talks about the fear of getting heartbroken and the conflicting emotions of wanting to be with someone while also being wary. The line "I can't believe it's ending" shows that the singer was invested in the relationship and is now dealing with the pain of it coming to an end.
The lyrics also explore the theme of nostalgia and memories of good times shared in the past. The singer cherishes these memories but is also trying to come to terms with the fact that the relationship is over. The use of the metaphor of a rainbow with no pot of gold represents the feeling of disappointment and disillusionment after investing time and energy into something that does not yield the desired outcome.
"Before You Break My Heart" was released in 1981 as a part of Gene Dunlap's album "It's Just the Way I Feel". The song became a hit in the Disco and R&B charts, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It was also popular in the UK, where it peaked at number 42 in the UK Singles Chart. The song has been covered by several artists, including Lulu and Aurra.
Line by Line Meaning
Please let me get to know you before you break my heart
I want to understand you before I let myself fall for you completely and risk getting hurt.
I want to kiss and hold you before you break my heart
I want to express my feelings physically, but I also want to make sure that there is a real emotional connection between us first.
Feelings like I lost you heaven heard to me Baby can it be (baby can it be)that you no longer need my loving
I'm starting to sense that our relationship is slipping away from me, and it's a painful realization.
It's time for us to express farewell It's been more than swell (It's been more than swell) I can't believe it's ending
It's time for us to say goodbye, even though it's been a wonderful and memorable experience. The breakup is hard to accept.
All the redwoods have stopped shinning shinning Yes they've lost their glow The magic that was all around us Where did it go (where did it go) baby don't you know (I love you so) They told me that this rainbow had no pot of gold But fools like me will never realize People go and people come into our lives But tomorrow brings another rain
The beauty and enchantment of our love seems to have faded, and I'm left wondering where it all went wrong. I was foolish to think that we could make our love like a fairy tale, but I still believe in the endless possibilities of new beginnings.
Searching for that feeling I held you close to me But obviously your flame for me was over now Guess I'll have to give you back your promises So good they were (so good they were) Ooh baby it's gonna hurt Memories I'll always cherish (cherish) Since we had great times and my minds still hanging on it baby Are they really gone baby what went wrong ohh it seemed so strong
I miss the feeling of being close to you, but it's clear that the passion and connection we once had is no longer there. I'll have to let go of the promises we made to one another, even though it's going to be tough. I'll always treasure the memories of our time together, and part of me still holds onto the hope that we can rekindle our love.
Please let me get to know (let me get to know you) you before you break my heart, I want to kiss and hold you before you break my heart
(Repeating lines from the beginning of the song) My desire to get to know you better and express my physical affection for you is still strong, even though I know there are risks involved.
Gotta give up gotta give up on you before you break my heart Cause I need a love that's true (before you break my heart) Gotta give up It's in your eyes my heart can tell It's time for us to say farewell gotta give up Good-bye baby (before you break my heart---gotta give up----repeat) Ooh-ooh
As much as it hurts to say goodbye to you, I know that I need to move on and find a love that's real and lasting. I can see in your eyes that our relationship has run its course, and it's time to let go. Goodbye, my love, it's time for me to give up on you.
Writer(s): Gene Dunlap, Leonard Reginald Hemphill
Contributed by Jordyn J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bigdrmsg
I want to thank all of you for your great comments about"before you break my heart". Your comments have made my day many times when I felt down about my music and my career as a recording artist. Thank You!!! Bless You!!! Gene Dunlap
@kirmetlyons1212
Gene Dunlap thank you for giving us this timeless classic, real music lovers cherish this song.
@akindele13
Gene Dunlap You are welcome and Thank you.
@danieloduntan7654
OMG GENE DUNLAP IS ON YOUTUBE! - Love your music Mr Dunlap and I was born in 1983, truly an inspiration to me and many others, love this album too.
@jupitermusic6181
My lady and I living on the northside of Chicago at the time were listening to music early one morning. I am a musician as well and have a very eclectic taste in music. We were listening to everything from Gladys Knight, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Brenda and the Tabulations, Billy Cobham, Chaka Khan and Gene Dunlap. I remember her asking for me to BBQ something early that morning, had to be 1:00am, so I did. We didin't have a grill but they were building something at our complex and had these big house bricks. I got a few of them and took the grill from our oven and there it was. We sat there on the porch of the building listening to music until sunrise and I recall this song which we both loved. The total sound of it the arrangment, the vocal tones, and the musicainship of yourself and the other players. It stood out in those early morning hours and became one of the priceless moments of our life. That song playing in the background. Thank you brother Dunlap your music did and does do a lot for priceless moments like that. Peace
@LeahHannahSpeaks
Gene! You are absolutely amazing! You have a gift and you are talented you are winning in every way imaginable please keep your head up. Trust me I know how you feel. I try to break into the music business so many times singing and I used to feel down about it too. But at least you made it in. Sometimes God creates a different path than all of us but I still whenever I get a chance. ❤️
@memeexclusive
Beautiful beautiful, like sounds from angels. The ending is as great as any in music history.
@marvintaylor5332
Mr. Dunlap , there are many of us out here that know the good stuff when we hear it ! This sung is one of my favorites of all times! This sung was played quite a bit on wbmx in Chicago when I was a teenager, I recently turned a younger cousin of mine on to this sung weeks ago and he loves it! Great music lives forever and never die sir ! Thank you for creating this timeless hit sir , A fan for life! May God bless you sir 🙏🏾 , M.T.
@brandon2912t
I was still at school when this came out, I was 17 and heard this on Greg Edwards radio show for Capitol Radio in London. I fell in love with it and went out and bought the album with my bestie as we were both fans of jazz funk soul. Listening to this transported me back to that wonderful carefree life of a teenager! I still treasure this album to this day! thank you for sharing!
@trevorlintott598
Robbie Vincent fav,also the jazz freak,Paulette Reeves,days gone buy.