Flat as a Pancake would remain their most popular album spawning two charting singles, the well-known anthem "Never Been Any Reason" and "Love Me tonight", both written by guitarist Mike Somerville.
This lineup of John Schlitt (vocals), Mike Somerville (guitars), Roger Boyd (keyboards), Dan Birney (bass) and Steve Huston (drums) would last through four more studio albums and a double-LP live album when in 1980 Schlitt, Birney and Somerville left the band although Somerville would return for 1994 through 2003. By the mid-80’s, John Schlitt, had joined Petra, a christian rock band when lead singer Greg X. Volz left the band.
Roger Boyd took over leadership of the band for one mildly successful album, U.S. 1, and two more studio albums before the band became an oldies act
NOTHING TO LOSE
Head East Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darkest, coldest night I've ever seen
I feel like I'm fallin' over the edge of a dream
I'm looking back on all the fun we had
I can remember how we thought we had it bad
Laughin' and cryin' together and sleepin' on the floor
We had nothing to lose but it seemed like so much more
Livin' on love and highway signs
Didn't have nothin, just nickels and dimes
Woke up new and our hearts rang true
Thank God, we lived behind the times
[Chorus]
I'm thinkin' back on all the fun we had
I can remember how we thought we had it bad
Laughin' and cryin' together and sleepin' on the floor
We had nothing to lose but it seemed like so much more
And I hope that the good times come again
Hope that the good times come again
Now I stand here all on my own
Watchin' the sunset, feelin' alone
Meet me back at the places and faces
And to all the good times we had known
[Chorus]
And I hope that the good times come again
Hope that the good times come again
And I hope that the good times come again and again
In "Nothing to Lose," Head East explores the bittersweet nostalgia of looking back on a past experience. The singer stands by a window on a dark and cold night, feeling as though they are falling over the edge of a dream. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the sudden and overwhelming realization of just how much they miss the memories they shared with someone. They then reminisce on their past experiences, highlighting how they once lived on love and nothing else. Despite having virtually nothing, they valued what they had more than anything in the world.
Throughout the song, the chorus repeats the notion that although they feel like they had "nothing to lose," it seemed like "so much more." This creates a sense of longing for those simple, carefree times. It's clear that they miss not only the memories but also the people they shared them with. The final lines of the song express a desperate hope that the "good times come again and again."
Line by Line Meaning
Standing by my window
I am standing beside the window at my house.
Darkest, coldest night I've ever seen
Tonight is the darkest and coldest night I have ever witnessed.
I feel like I'm fallin' over the edge of a dream
I am overwhelmed and feel like I am losing grip on reality.
I'm looking back on all the fun we had
I am reminiscing about all the good times we had in the past.
I can remember how we thought we had it bad
I remember how we used to feel like things were tough for us.
Laughin' and cryin' together and sleepin' on the floor
We shared both laughter and tears, and often slept on the floor together.
We had nothing to lose but it seemed like so much more
Although we had very little, it meant so much more to us than what it actually was.
Livin' on love and highway signs
We survived by love and following highway signs, which pointed us to new destinations.
Didn't have nothin, just nickels and dimes
We had nothing but a few coins and little money to our name.
Woke up new and our hearts rang true
Every morning we woke up feeling renewed and our hearts were always sincere.
Thank God, we lived behind the times
We were grateful to have lived in a simpler time and to have experienced life before modern technology.
I'm thinkin' back on all the fun we had
Again, I am reflecting on all the positive experiences we shared.
Now I stand here all on my own
Currently, I am standing alone without anyone being by my side.
Watchin' the sunset, feelin' alone
As the sun sets, I feel lonely and introspective.
Meet me back at the places and faces
I long to return to places and be with people who I shared fond memories with.
And to all the good times we had known
I can never forget the good times we had together in the past.
And I hope that the good times come again
I have hope that I will experience joyful times once more.
Hope that the good times come again
I am wishing for good times to return.
And I hope that the good times come again and again
I wish for good times to keep coming and to keep memories alive.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RODNEY HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lorrie Gaylor
Head East made so many great songs & what an amazing range, hard beat, fantastic rhythm, just good good stuff!
Marlon Beare
This whole album is amazing.
Ron Caluman
wow! haven't heard since early 80s,YouTube rocks.
Pat Pettite
Love this song................................
Gary Giampa
Hi great band I love it
thomboy54
killer song
Sean Moore
I got to see Head East in the very late 70's, and then I went to a Petra Concert in the mid 80's...So I was able to see John Schlitt in both bands.
Bill Johnson
The lyrics at the end of the song are kind of telling about the future of the band. Makes it a sad sad song if you know the story, and listen to the lyrics.
Bill Johnson
Brad, great song. but my Facorite is Separate Ways. I think it would be a killer show opener or closer!