Hunter began his roots music career in the 1980s under the name Howlin' Wilf. His later solo recordings feature rhythm and blues in the style of the 1950s and 60's, pitched between R&B, early rock and roll, and early soul.
His 1994 solo debut, Believe What I Say, had guest appearances by Doris Troy and Van Morrison, and Hunter appeared on a couple of Morrisons's mid-'90s albums, as well as performing as part of Morrison's Rhythm and Blues Revue. Hunter, who jokingly refers to his career as an "overnight success that took 20 years", is also a skilled guitarist, and writes most of the material on his albums, including his 2001 release, Kick It Around.
He released People Gonna Talk in 2006 which garnered him much acclaim and his first stateside recognition in year end top ten lists of major media outlets. His most recent album, The Hard Way, released in 2008, was recorded at Toe Rag Studios in London and includes a cameo from Allen Toussaint.
Hunter seems poised for additional career breakthroughs via increased exposure through television and radio, and distribution through Starbucks music label feeding a demand for other retro sounding artists like Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele, who too echo the classic soul sounds from the '50s and 60s.
Official Website: James Hunter
I Don't Want to Go on Without You
James Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so sad to be alone oh baby, come home
I need you my room is so blue
I keep seein' your face oh, every place
Here in the gloom of my lonely room
I'll hold her handkerchief
And smell her sweet perfume i can't stand to
Live on without you
Come runnin' back to me i need you
My room is so blue i keep seein' your face
Oh, every place here in the gloom
Of my lonely room i'll hold her handkerchief
And smell her sweet perfume i can't stand to
Live on without you
Oh my darlin', hear my plea
Come runnin' back to me i'll need you
My room is so blue i keep seeing your face
Oh, every place i don't want to
I don't wanna, baby
I don't want to, I don't want to
Though I can't stand to know that you
Please, come home back to me, yeah darlin'
I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna, I don't wanna
Come right home back to me
In these lyrics, James Hunter expresses his intense longing and sadness over the absence of a loved one. He begins by stating, "I don't want to live on without you," highlighting the depth of his emotions and the impact the person's absence has had on him. He describes it as being "so sad to be alone" and begs for them to come home.
Hunter emphasizes his need for the person, as he tells that his room is filled with a melancholic blue atmosphere. He emphasizes that their presence is so strong that he keeps seeing their face everywhere he goes. The imagery of the gloomy and lonely room reflects his state of mind, longing for their return and longing for their comforting presence.
The singer indicates that he clings to a handkerchief that belongs to the person, holding it close and smelling their sweet perfume. This suggests that he tries to find solace in tangible reminders of their relationship but is ultimately unable to cope with their absence. He repeats the refrain "I can't stand to live on without you" to underline the unbearable pain and emptiness he feels.
The plea for the person to come back to him becomes even more desperate as the lyrics progress. He implores, "Oh my darlin', hear my plea, come runnin' back to me." Hunter is explicit in his declaration that he needs them, and his room, which represents his emotional state, will remain blue until they return. The repetition of "I don't wanna, I don't wanna" further emphasizes his resistance to living without them.
In the final lines, Hunter begs for their return once again, now using the phrase "come right home back to me." His longing is palpable, and he justifies his plea with the statement, "though I can't stand to know that you please, come home back to me." The repetition of "I don't wanna" throughout the song serves as a stark reminder of the singer's refusal to accept a life without the person he desperately loves.
Overall, James Hunter's "I Don't Want to Go on Without You" lyrically captures the pain, longing, and desperation that comes from missing someone deeply. The vivid imagery and heartfelt appeal reveal the singer's raw emotions and desire to have his loved one back by his side.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to live on without you
I can't bear the thought of continuing my life without you by my side
It's so sad to be alone oh baby, come home
The feeling of loneliness is overwhelming and I long for your presence, begging you to return
I need you my room is so blue
Without you, my room feels empty and filled with sadness
I keep seein' your face oh, every place
Your image haunts me, appearing everywhere I go
Here in the gloom of my lonely room
In the darkness of my isolated room, I feel a deep sense of sorrow
I'll hold her handkerchief
I hold onto a piece of you, a handkerchief as a reminder of our connection
And smell her sweet perfume i can't stand to
I inhale the fragrance of your perfume, unable to bear the pain of being without you
Live on without you
Continue existing in this world without your presence
Oh my darlin', hear my plea
My beloved, listen to my desperate request
Come runnin' back to me i need you
Please hurry back to me, as I require your presence deeply
My room is so blue i keep seein' your face
The melancholic atmosphere in my room intensifies, and I constantly visualize your face
Oh, every place here in the gloom
No matter where I am, the sadness of your absence engulfs me
I'll hold her handkerchief
I'll continue to clutch onto your handkerchief, cherishing its connection to you
And smell her sweet perfume I can't stand to
The scent of your sweet perfume overwhelms me, as I cannot bear the pain of living without you
Live on without you
Continue to exist and carry on with life in your absence
Oh my darlin', hear my plea
Oh my beloved, please listen to my desperate plea
Come runnin' back to me i'll need you
Hurry back to me, as I will rely on you and your presence
My room is so blue i keep seeing your face
The loneliness in my room becomes unbearable, as I continuously imagine your face
Oh, every place i don't want to
Everywhere I go, I find myself desperately not wanting to exist without you
I don't wanna, baby
I truly do not desire, my love
I don't want to, I don't want to
I have an extremely strong aversion to, I do not wish to
Though I can't stand to know that you
Even though it pains me to acknowledge the fact that you
Please, come home back to me, yeah darlin'
Please, return to our home and to me, my dear
I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I sincerely don't want to, I have an intense reluctance to, I strongly reject the idea of
I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I truly do not desire, I have an intense aversion to
Come right home back to me
Please immediately return to our home and to me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY WEXLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
funkyfreddy1
What a great sound! Good music played by real musicians.... very refreshing to hear today in any genre :)
Odd Bod
A fabulous song. I can't stop playing it.
markkil
Daptone is doing a wonderful job with their line-up of artists
Mmm Burritos
Life got better when James Hunter joined Daptone. Pure magic!
nitedreamer23
Truth.
Marisma
@nitedreamer23 22
Susana Núñez Real
I heard it on the radio two days ago and I've been hooked on it since then. Great performance!
Mike L
Love the touch and feel Daptone brings to James Hunter
Mike L
+Ted's New World Order Absolutely
Suzy Good
Love this song!