Formed circa 1968/69, the original core members included percussionist Patrick Olive, guitarist Franklyn De Allie and drummer Ian King, along with bass player Tony Wilson, pianist Larry Ferguson and with Jamaican-born songwriter/vocalist Errol Brown. For Apple, they released a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance", and backed Mary Hopkins on "Think About Your Children" before the Apple label dissolved. In 1970, they signed to Rak Records, a label owned by UK producer Mickie Most who had the group compose the final chart hit for Herman's Hermits. On their own they were to become one of the U.K's best loved charts groups, with 25 UK top 40 hit singles in their career. Hot Chocolate enjoyed their first UK hit in 1970 with "Love Is Life" followed by many more U.K. Top 10 hits including "I Believe (In Love)," "Brother Louie" (a stateside #-1 for U.S Stories), "A Child's Prayer," "Put Your Love In Me," "No Doubt About It," "Girl Crazy," "It Started With A Kiss" and "What Kinda Boy You Looking For (Girl)."
While popular in the U.K, it wasn't until 1974 that they secured a U.S record deal with Big Tree records, releasing the single "Emma", and becoming associated with burgeoning disco scene with "Disco Queen." Their second US album featured "You Sexy Thing" which hit #3 on the US top 40 charts. By 1978 they were affiliated with Infinity Records in the U.S and hit #6 on the charts with "Every 1's A Winner." 1979 sees the band release the LP "Going Through The Motions" obviously burning out on disco, but still commercially aiming for the dancefloor market with the irionic track "Mindless Boogie". They continued for some years afterwards but never regained the chart action or a U.S label, with lead singer Errol Brown finally leaving in 1987, basically putting an end to the group.
In 1992, with a new line-up, manager and agent, Ric Martin, took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe. A minor resurgence in interest in Hot Chocolate's music occurred after the 1998 film "The Full Monty" used "You Sexy Thing" prominently in the soundtrack. Errol brown was also known under the nickname, "the singing malteser" due to his bald head.
Love Me To Sleep
Hot Chocolate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those everything wrong nights -
I used to lie awake and play for morning to come
It sees like years before my tears dried in the sun
'cause you had gone.
So love me to sleep tonight
Kiss away the pain of all those mem'ries one by one
And show me the river still runs strong and deep
Slow now
We can't let it go now
Here in my arms you've got a perfect place to hide
If you've got doubts why don't we let the night decide
Just let it ride.
And love me to sleep tonight
Kiss away the pain of all those mem'ries one by one
. . .
Love me to sleep tonight
Kiss away the pain of all those mem'ries one by one
. . .
Tonight my love - love me to sleep.
The song Love Me To Sleep by Hot Chocolate is a love ballad about a person who has experienced heartbreak and struggles to let go of the memories of a past lover. The lyrics describe the restless and painful nights that the person goes through as they try to get over their past love. They are unable to sleep through the night and wait for the morning to arrive. The person reflects on how long it takes for the tears to dry after a breakup.
The lyrics then shift to the present moment where the person is in the arms of a new lover. The lyrics express the need for the present lover to kiss away the pain of the past and let the river of love continue its journey. The person is pleading for their current lover to help them forget the past and love them to sleep. The lyrics suggest that the person is not entirely certain about their new relationship and is asking for the night to help them make a decision.
The song's emotion is perfectly complemented by the band's rhythm, which is soothing and lulls the listener into a calm mood. The vocals are also carefully layered and soulful, adding to the song's emotional depth.
Line by Line Meaning
Long nights
A time of darkness and loneliness that feels never-ending
Those everything wrong nights -
Nights that are filled with sadness and negativity, where everything seems to go wrong
I used to lie awake and pray for morning to come
Feeling so alone and sad that they hoped for the night to end quickly
It sees like years before my tears dried in the sun
An overwhelming amount of pain and grief that had lasted for a long time
'Cause you had gone.
The cause of their heartbreak and pain was due to the absence of a loved one
So love me to sleep tonight
Expressing a longing for comfort and affection in order to be able to sleep
Kiss away the pain of all those mem'ries one by one
A plea for their partner to help them forget the painful memories one at a time
And show me the river still runs strong and deep
Asking their partner to reassure them that love still exists and is strong
Tonight my love - love me to sleep.
A final plea for their partner to show them love and care in order to be able to find peace and rest
Slow now
An encouragement to take things slowly and not rush to a decision
We can't let it go now
Acknowledging that it's important not to give up on the relationship
Here in my arms you've got a perfect place to hide
A comfort to their partner that they can find safety and comfort in their embrace
If you've got doubts why don't we let the night decide
Suggesting that they let time and patience reveal whether the relationship is worth persevering
Just let it ride.
An encouragement to trust in the journey and see where it leads
And love me to sleep tonight
Repeating the plea for love and care in order to find rest
Kiss away the pain of all those mem'ries one by one
A request for their partner to support them through their emotional pain and help them forget the painful memories
...
Repeat of previous line
Tonight my love - love me to sleep.
Final plea for comfort and affection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEOFFREY STEPHENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind