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.
If He's Ever Near
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You find someone that's right
But the world looks so confused
I can't tell false from true
And love's so hard to find
In this state of mind
Oh I hope I'll know him
If he's ever near
Well it seemed the time had come
I thought you were the one
When I looked into your eyes
It never looked like lies
And love's so hard to see
That when it's in front of me
Oh I hope I'll know it
I hope I'll know it
If it's ever near
Cause love's so hard to see
And when it's in front of me
Oh I hope I'll know it
I hope I'll know it
If it's ever near
Well I know that in my time
I'll have it sweet and fine
But it won't add up to much
Unless I feel his touch
And love's so hard to find
I guess I'll just give up trying
But I hope I'll know him
I hope I'll know him
If he's ever near
Karla Bonoff's song "If He's Ever Near" speaks to the uncertainty and difficulty associated with finding love. Bonoff sets the stage by acknowledging the proverbial statement that one only finds one perfect person in life, but also recognizes that, in a world where truth is hard to come by, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The lyrics capture the sense of hopelessness and the longing for something more, expressed in the line "And love's so hard to find in this state of mind."
The second verse expresses how the singer thought they found the right one and initially believed that the person was genuine. However, as time passed, it seems that he did not really love her or was not the right one, leaving her uncertain about the possibility of ever finding true love. The final verse highlights the idea that life is meaningless without love, and the struggle to find love can be so intense that it may seem futile. The repeated refrain of "I hope I'll know him if he's ever near" creates a sense of longing and anticipation for someone who could potentially be "the one."
The song's simple yet heartfelt lyrics resonate with anyone who has ever been uncertain about their romantic prospects and the ever-elusive nature of true love. Overall, "If He's Ever Near" conveys the message that love is indeed hard to find, but there is always hope that the right person may come along at the right time.
Line by Line Meaning
They say just once in life
It is often said that one finds the right one only once in their lifetime
You find someone that's right
There exists a person that is best suited and right for an individual
But the world looks so confused
The world is a confusing place full of uncertainties and contradictions
I can't tell false from true
It is difficult to differentiate falsehood from truth in the world
And love's so hard to find
It is a challenging endeavour to find true love
In this state of mind
Amidst the current mental state and circumstances
Oh I hope I'll know him
I aspire to recognise the one that is right for me
I hope I'll know him
I hope to be certain about the identity of the right person
If he's ever near
In case that person is in my vicinity
Well it seemed the time had come
At one point in time, the perception was that the right person had been found
I thought you were the one
It was believed that the person being referred to was the right one
When I looked into your eyes
Looking into the eyes of that person
It never looked like lies
The gaze of the person appeared genuine and sincere
And love's so hard to see
It is challenging to see and identify true love
That when it's in front of me
Even when it is right in one's immediate presence
Oh I hope I'll know it
I wish to distinguish and recognise it
I hope I'll know it
I hope to be certain about the identification of true love
If it's ever near
If true love is ever in my vicinity
Cause love's so hard to see
It is difficult to seek and comprehend true love
And when it's in front of me
Even when it is evident and evident in one's close proximity
Oh I hope I'll know it
I aspire to distinguish and recognise true love
I hope I'll know it
I look forward to being certain about the identification of true love
If it's ever near
In case true love is ever within my vicinity
Well I know that in my time
It is known that within one's lifetime
I'll have it sweet and fine
There will be times when life is sweet and goes smoothly
But it won't add up to much
These moments will not mean or add up to much without one thing
Unless I feel his touch
Unless I am connected and touched by that right person
And love's so hard to find
It is a challenging quest to seek and find true love
I guess I'll just give up trying
Perhaps it is best to stop attempting to seek that right person
But I hope I'll know him
Still, I hope to identify that one person that is right for me
I hope I'll know him
I wish to be certain about the identification of the right person
If he's ever near
If that right person is ever in my close proximity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KARLA BONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The_New_Green_Deal_Doe
U can hear her integrity and belief in her voice, it's absolutely beautiful.
john Bowman
I think this is one of the saddest songs, but sometimes you need a sad song. Thank you Karla for writing and making this. i bought this record many years ago, and it's so good to hear it again.
EileenOR
I just listened to it again today; nine years after you posted this:))
The Nutrient Whisperer
Thanks John for Cohoes💖
Annette Bohl
I did too. I was young then. Not so much now. I had a wobderful love for 17yrs. 10 yrs ago glioblastoma multiforme.😭 Jim Underwood ❤️ I knew it ! Think of you every day babe. Miss you!!
slumpyb
I remeber Karla from the 70's, but I think her stuff sounds even better now. Great, heartfelt writing never ages. Thanks for posting!
Matthew C
Great song... Linda Ronstadt turned me onto her, and I've loved her ever since! Thanks for sharing. She writes beautiful music.
pjt759
I cannot thank you enough for uploading these songs.I had this album years ago. After time, it became too scratchy to play. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love her sweet voice.
Andrea Davis
you can get the songs on iTunes
pjt759
thank you