Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.
Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight, Aymuk, and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work.
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me lies but hold me tight.
Save your good-byes for the morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.
Say goodbye and say hello.
Sure enough good to see you, but it's time to go.
Don't say yes but please don't say no,
Go away then, damn you, go on and do as you please,
You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees.
I'm undecided, and your heart's been divided,
You've been turning my world upside down.
Do me wrong, do me right, right now, baby.
Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight.
Save your good-byes for the morning light, morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.
I don't want to be lonely tonight, no, no,
I don't want to be lonely tonight.
I don't want to be lonely tonight.
The lyrics to Jeffrey Osborne's song Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight reflects the emotional turmoil of a person who is torn between the desire to be with someone and the fear of being left alone. The opening lines, "Do me wrong, do me right. Tell me lies but hold me tight" suggest that the person is willing to overlook any faults or deceitful behavior of their lover as long as they don't feel lonely. They are willing to compromise their own values just to keep the other person close to them.
The lines "Say goodbye and say hello. Sure enough good to see you, but it's time to go. Don't say yes but please don't say no" further highlight the confusion and indecisiveness of the person. They welcome the presence of the other person, but at the same time, they know that they need to move on. The phrase "I'm undecided, and your heart's been divided" shows that the other person is also struggling with their own emotions, which is causing turmoil in the relationship.
Overall, the song is about the fear of being lonely and how it can make people compromise their own values if they feel it will prevent them from being alone. The song has a bittersweet quality to it, as the person knows they need to end the relationship, but is still hoping for something to change.
Line by Line Meaning
Do me wrong, do me right.
I'm willing to put up with mistreatment just to have someone in my life to give me attention.
Tell me lies but hold me tight.
It's more important to me to have someone physically close to me than to have the truth and honesty.
Save your good-byes for the morning light,
Don't leave me now, wait until the morning because I don't want to be alone tonight.
But don't let me be lonely tonight.
Above all, I fear being alone and will do anything to avoid it.
Say goodbye and say hello.
Our relationship is highly inconsistent and unstable, constantly going back and forth.
Sure enough good to see you, but it's time to go.
Although I appreciate the company, I know that it can't last and will end soon.
Don't say yes but please don't say no,
I'm too afraid to ask for commitment, but I want the other person to give me some kind of hope.
I don't want to be lonely tonight.
Repetition of the main theme of the song- the fear of being alone.
Go away then, damn you, go on and do as you please,
I'm frustrated with the other person's indecisiveness and am angry that they have the option to leave and be happy without me.
You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees.
I won't beg for the other person's love or attention because I don't want to appear weak or vulnerable.
I'm undecided, and your heart's been divided,
I'm unsure of what I want or how I feel, and this is causing issues in the relationship.
You've been turning my world upside down.
The other person's presence in my life has drastically changed everything and has disrupted my sense of stability.
Do me wrong, do me right, right now, baby.
I want the other person's attention, whether they treat me well or not, and I want it immediately.
Save your good-byes for the morning light, morning light,
Repetition of earlier line, emphasizing the urgency of not being alone.
I don't want to be lonely tonight, no, no,
Final repetition of the main theme of the song- the fear of being alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barbra M
I have always loved Jeffrey Osborne, a true all around entertainer!!
Kimberly Jackson
This Man can sing anything!!
Angela M Garcia
It sounds lovely cant let the eye ever betray the heart. Stay true to thy self..believe in love believe in miracle. Believe in GOD . St jude hear my prayers....shield and protect my loved ones amen....
Neck Bone
Still sounds gold.
Ramona Brown
Wow, he still sounds good! Great song choice..
Angela M Garcia
I love you this heart is true
Anthony
Double RR Music 🥶💯++
Sabrina Brannon
Great cover song from James Taylor🎤
Ahmed Hassan
Beautiful and Amazing
M Shabangu
Jeff Osborne the best