Unable to garner much attention in Los Angeles, the band flew to London shortly after forming in hopes of securing a record deal and possibly gaining an audience in the New Wave and post-punk scene that was quite popular in Britain at the time. After playing on the pub circuit extensivley, they came to prominence as the opening act for fellow Americans Blondie, and were signed to disc jockey Charlie Gillett's record label, Opal.
The 1979 release of the single "Tell That Girl To Shut Up" garnered the band a recording contract with Virgin Records. While the single wasn't a very big hit for Holly and the Italians, it would be in 1988 when covered by Transvision Vamp. The band recorded their only album, The Right To Be Italian, produced by Richard Gottehrer. Their next two singles, "Youth Coup" and "Miles Away," (the latter written by bassist Mark Henry), failed to chart and the group disbanded at the end of 1981.
In 1982 Holly Beth Vincent issued a solo album entitled Holly and the Italians even though the band was now defunct and the album was solely credited to Vincent. The album featured a minor hit with the completely overhauled cover of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," and the subsequent video gained some airtime on MTV. Later that year Vincent recorded a cover of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" with Ramones frontman Joey Ramone.
After a brief period replacing Patty Donahue in The Waitresses, she appeared in a combo called the Wild Things with Anthony Thistlethwaite of The Waterboys, and in 1995 teamed up with Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano for a musical side project entitled Vowel Movement.
Just For Tonight
Holly and the Italians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby don't care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don't care for cars and races
My baby don't care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Lana Turner's smile
My baby don't care who knows
My baby just cares for me
Baby, my baby don't care for shows
And he don't even care for clothes
He cares for me
My baby don't care
For cars and races
My baby don't care for
He don't care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Liberace's smile
Is something he can't see
Is something he can't see
I wonder what's wrong with baby
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for me
The lyrics in Holly and the Italians' song "Just For Tonight" describe a lover who doesn't value superficial things like shows, clothes, cars, or high-class places. They only care for the singer, regardless of who knows it. The mentions of Liz Taylor and Lana Turner's smiles illustrate how even celebrities are not enough to distract the lover's attention away from the singer. The repetition of "my baby just cares for me" emphasizes the importance of the singer's presence in their life.
The song portrays a meaningful relationship where the singer is valued beyond material possessions or social status. It highlights the simplicity of love and mutual connection, regardless of the external world's pressures. The singer is enough for the lover, making their love feel authentic and true.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby don't care for shows
My partner doesn't enjoy going to performances or events
My baby don't care for clothes
My partner isn't interested in fashion or dressing up
My baby just cares for me
My partner only desires to be with me
My baby don't care for cars and races
My partner isn't into automobiles or competitive driving
My baby don't care for high-tone places
My partner isn't attracted to fancy or upscale locales
Liz Taylor is not his style
My partner isn't attracted to people who are similar to Elizabeth Taylor
And even Lana Turner's smile
Not even a smile from Lana Turner can catch my partner's eye
Is somethin' he can't see
My partner doesn't find anything special about Lana Turner's smile
My baby don't care who knows
My partner is open about their feelings for me
My baby just cares for me
My partner's sole focus is on our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@04opocin
Released as a single in the UK in June 1981.
@Bforcecommander
Great song! Always liked this track as I believe there weren't many women New Wave/Punk style at the time singing about love. Kind of gives a warm feeling. Kool!
@r.brookswilliams7476
Great cover-version of the Chiffons classic!
@tionick11
At seventeen, I thought this was romantic.
@chrisferrara8930
I discovered this album cause Sloppy Seconds covered I wanna go home on their cover album