Tower of Strength
Gene McDaniels Lyrics
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I'd look in your eyes and here's what I'd say
"I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
If I were a tower of strength, I'd watch you cry
I'd laugh at your tears and tell you goodbye
"I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
I'll never be
"I don't want you, I don't a-need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees, ah-huh
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
I'll never be
The lyrics to "Tower of Strength" by Gene McDaniels portray someone who wants to be a tower of strength but realizes that they are not capable of being that person despite the outward appearance. The singer is suggesting that if they were strong enough, they would be able to walk away from the person they love without hesitation. Even though the other person may be calling out to them, a tower of strength would be able to resist their cries and confidently leave. However, the singer admits that they are not a tower of strength, and they cannot walk away from their love interest even though they do not want them anymore.
The repetition of "I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore" conveys the singer's lack of affection towards the other person. However, the fact that they cannot leave the person regardless of their feelings emphasizes their weakness. The song portrays the internal conflict someone goes through when trying to detach from a person they love. Despite knowing that their feelings are gone, they cannot seem to walk away. In conclusion, the song showcases the struggle of someone who knows they should leave a relationship but cannot act on it due to emotional attachment.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a tower of strength, I'd walk away
If I had more power and control, I would leave
I'd look in your eyes and here's what I'd say 'I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore'
I would tell you directly and clearly that I no longer want or love you
And I'd walk out that door
I would leave the situation and end the relationship
You'd be down on your knees
You would be begging and pleading for me to stay
You'd be calling to me
You would be trying to reach out and get my attention
But a tower of a-strength is a-something I'll never be
I do not have enough confidence or control to be able to walk away without feeling emotional pain
If I were a tower of strength, I'd watch you cry
If I had more power and control, I would enjoy seeing you suffer and be upset
I'd laugh at your tears and tell you goodbye
I would find amusement and satisfaction in your sadness and then end the relationship
And I'd walk out that door
I would leave the situation and end the relationship
'I don't want you, I don't a-need you, I don't love you anymore'
I do not want or need you anymore, and I have fallen out of love with you
But a tower of a-strength is a-something I'll never be
I am not emotionally strong enough to walk away without guilt or regret
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, BOURNE CO., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, BOB HILLIARD, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vivnoname
I love the intake of breath before he sings “I’ll never be”. I remember that part particularly and I was only 4 when the record came out. My mum played it all the time. So good to hear it again after all these years. Fantastic voice with so much depth of feeling in the song.
@rodmcdonough6111
He had straightforward voice that was crystal clear and unique for its time. Relatively short notes that ended quickly with no vibrato at all. It was so distinctive and commanding in its own way. Bravo Gene
@ZekromReshiramVolt
Great diction
@ivangranger8494
Gene had a superb voice, and talent as did so many black vocalists then. No one can touch them today. All that is available is only rap. All those born today that never have the same opportunity as then, are a loss for the human race. We were blessed with eclectic, musical abundance, once. We need it back!
@rodmcdonough6111
Trombones make this song happen with the sad melody at the beginning... to the stomping "and I'd walk out the doorrr" Nobody does it like Gene McDaniels
@sheridansullivan5783
LOVE a drunk, rubbery fart horn 🥰😍🤩... i mean that
@bazouteast
Wonderful. I believe the Trommy is one of the most expressive blues instrument. Check out Sinatra's Blues For Only The Lonely.
@harryblevins7853
Heard this on the radio last night and was reminded of how all the unique parts of this song come together to make a masterpiece of entertainment.
@markcarbonaro6524
On this day (2.9.23) we're remembering the great Burt Bacharach who composed the music for this fabulous tune by Gene McDaniels
@bobbauldock3846
An Il,d walk out the door, youl,d be down on your knees, youl,d be cry,n to me, this song is forgotten, but it is so powerful, I was a little Bopper when it was made, I was too young to understand, but I do now, and this is one of my all time best. I wish that I was that Tower..