As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.
In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).
Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).
She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.
Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.
Baby Don't Go
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh baby, donæ?° go.
I thought that love was something to believe in
Ooh, baby don't go.
I've seen it in your face
It's in your eyes when you turn away
You think it's all a waste
I won't pretend
I won't say it won't hurt me bad
Won't you try it again
Whatever happened to all that we had?
You're taking all I got and now you're leavin'
Ooh baby, don't go
I thought love was something to believe in
Ooh baby don't go.
Don't fight, just hold me tight
Everything is gonna work out right
I won't beg,
But you heard what I said
I need you every day and night
You're taking all I got and now you're leaving
Ooh baby, don't go.
I thought that love was something to believe in
Ooh, baby don't go.
And if you close the door
I can't wish you well anymore.
You know you really turned on me,
So don't come running back æ?¶ause I know you'll never see.
You're takin' all I got and now you're leaving
Ooh baby, don't go.
I thought love was something to believe in,
Ooh baby, don't go.
And baby don't go
Ooh, baby don't go
The song Baby Don't Go by Karla Bonoff is a classic break-up song in which the singer expresses her heartbreak over her lover leaving her. The lyrics are simple, yet effective, as they convey the raw emotion of the situation. The singer is pleading with her lover not to go, begging to give their relationship another chance. She is holding on to the hope that they can make it work and that love is something worth believing in. However, she also acknowledges the reality that her lover has already made up their mind to leave, and the pain of this realization is evident in the lyrics.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with the repetition of "Ooh baby, don't go" expressing the desperation and fear that the singer is feeling. She is struggling to come to terms with the fact that her relationship has come to an end and that there is nothing she can do to stop it. The lyrics also touch on the idea that once her lover has left, there will be no going back. The singer knows that if her lover closes the door, she cannot wish them well anymore, as they have turned on her and will not come back.
Ultimately, the song is a poignant reflection on the pain and heartbreak of a failed relationship. The lyrics are simple, but they convey a deep emotional truth that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of a break-up.
Line by Line Meaning
You're taking all I got and now you're leaving
You are taking away everything I have and abandoning me.
Ooh baby, don't go.
Please don't leave me, my dear.
I thought that love was something to believe in
I believed that love was a real and worthwhile thing.
Ooh, baby don't go.
Please stay with me, my dear.
I've seen it in your face
I have seen the truth in your expression.
It's in your eyes when you turn away
It is evident in the way you look at me when you look away.
You think it's all a waste
You believe everything we had was worthless.
You're goin' today
You are leaving me today.
I won't pretend
I won't fake how I feel.
I won't say it won't hurt me bad
I won't hide the fact that it will hurt me terribly.
Won't you try it again
Won't you consider giving it another chance?
Whatever happened to all that we had?
What happened to all the good things we shared?
Don't fight, just hold me tight
Let's not argue, just embrace me firmly.
Everything is gonna work out right
Everything will turn out well in the end.
I won't beg,
I won't plead desperately.
But you heard what I said
But you listened to what I had to say.
I need you every day and night
I require your presence at every moment of the day and every hour of the night.
And if you close the door
And if you decide to shut me out completely.
I can't wish you well anymore.
I won't be able to hope for the best for you any longer.
You know you really turned on me,
You know you really betrayed me,
So don't come running back 'cause I know you'll never see.
So don't come back to me because I know you will never understand.
And baby don't go
Please don't leave, my love.
Ooh, baby don't go
Please don't leave me, my love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAHAM EDWARDS, NICK TREVISICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Garey Clark
Saw her open for Jackson Browne in 78. Never heard of her. When she started I was amazed by her voice and also songs. She is under appreciated by the music world in my opinion. Isn’t it Always Love is a Beauty. ! ❤️❤️❤️
onecake34244
Back in the day, the sound of this song made my day EACH day it came on. I think it still does. Harmonies are indeed awesome.
Jay Nifur'
My early days growing up, this classic, whenever played, it always put a smile on my face and my imagination ran high wild along it! Best days ever!
misslantana52
Karla has the sweetest voice...love this! (*_*)
j f
I played this song in a band back in the early '80s and it was one of my favorites. Our girl singer really nailed this one! I always love Karla Bonoff.
NowI'mMe
I have got to get this on CD. I used to sing this entire album with my sisters when I was eleven or twelve! Great stuff.
Ted Geldberg
Saw Karla at Royce Hall at UCLA around 1979 and then again last October in Thousand Oaks, CA after 3 postponements over 2 years due to Covid restrictions. She's every bit as good, if not better, now than 44 years ago. A great writing and singing talent with a humbleness and self-deprecating humor that belies her enormous talent. A real fan for over 4 decades.
david shupert
She is sooooooo Beautiful! I love her voice! Thank you so much for posting this!
LISA SUYDAM
I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO KARLA FOR THIRTY YEARS SHE IS SOO SPECIAL
atwaterkent911
Such a great song. Brings back memories at Cal Poly SLO