From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
When I Write the Book
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love was young and foolish, like a little child at play
But, oh, how lovers change; I never dreamed how easily
'Cause, now, I'm just a shadow of the boy I used to be
And when I write the book about my love
It will be about a man who's torn in half
About his hopes and ambitions wasted through the years
When I write the book about my love
I was a fool to myself when I kept on runnin' around
And I fared little better when I tried settlin' down
Maybe some magic moment
I've never known one, not for long
For all too soon the magic is in a moment gone
And when I write the book about my love
It'll be a heartbreaking story about love and luck
When I get down on the pages all I felt
It will make the hardest-hearted of critics' hearts melt
When I write the book about my love
When I was young, love was fun, and I was so happy
I looked so good, and I dressed so snappy
Two-tone shoes on my feet, big old smile on my face
As I moved and grooved all over the place
Now I'm down in the heels, my complexion is bad
'Cause my love life is sadder than sad
And when I write the book about my love
It'll be a pop publication, tougher than tough
When I get down on the pages all I missed
It will shoot to the top of the best-sellers list
When I write the book about my love
The lyrics of "When I Write the Book" by Huey Lewis & The News depicts a man reflecting on his past love life. The song begins with the songwriter reminiscing about how love was once young and foolish. However, he never imagined how easily lovers change. He now feels like a shadow of the boy he used to be, implying that he has lost a part of himself in the process of love.
As the song progresses, the songwriter talks about how he has been a fool to himself by constantly running around and settling down. He hopes for a "magic moment," but never experiences one that lasts. His love life has been a constant disappointment, and he now feels like a shadow of his former self.
The songwriter then declares that when he writes the book about his love life, it will be a "heartbreaking story about love and luck." He plans to pour all his experiences, hopes, and dreams into the book. He believes that his pain will be written on every page in tears, and that it will make even the hardest-hearted of critics' hearts melt. As the song ends, the songwriter mulls over how his love life has been a sadder affair than good, and plans to write a "pop publication, tougher than tough" that will shoot to the top of the best-sellers list.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I can remember like it was only yesterday
Reflecting on the past, reminiscing how easy love was
Love was young and foolish, like a little child at play
Innocent and naive portrayal of young love
But, oh, how lovers change; I never dreamed how easily
A realization of how quickly love can change and fade
'Cause, now, I'm just a shadow of the boy I used to be
Feeling like a diminished version of oneself after a heartbreak
And when I write the book about my love
The artist's future plan to document their love experience
It will be about a man who's torn in half
A story of someone struggling with their emotions
About his hopes and ambitions wasted through the years
Regret over past decisions that have cost the singer their dreams
The pain will be written on every page in tears
Expressing heartache and sadness repeatedly throughout the narrative
I was a fool to myself when I kept on runnin' around
Self-realization of a mistake made by continuously seeking different partners
And I fared little better when I tried settlin' down
Not finding happiness even when attempting to settle into a relationship
Maybe some magic moment
Hoping for a moment of love that lasts and feels special
I've never known one, not for long
Recognizing a lack of successful long-lasting relationships
For all too soon the magic is in a moment gone
Acknowledging the fleeting nature of love's magical moments
It'll be a heartbreaking story about love and luck
Preparation to write about love, heartbreak, and fate
When I get down on the pages all I felt
Intending to write in great detail about all the emotions and experiences
It will make the hardest-hearted of critics' hearts melt
Expecting readers to be moved and touched by the book's story
I looked so good, and I dressed so snappy
Recalling a time when the artist put effort into their appearance
Now I'm down in the heels, my complexion is bad
Feeling defeated and unattractive after experiencing heartbreak
'Cause my love life is sadder than sad
Describing their current love life as extremely depressing
It'll be a pop publication, tougher than tough
Describing how the book will stand out and have a unique style
When I get down on the pages all I missed
Planning to write about all that was lacking in the past love experiences
It will shoot to the top of the best-sellers list
Expecting the book to gain a large audience and become very popular
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE EDMUNDS, NICHOLAS ORAIN LOWE, TERRY WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MURRAY BREMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind