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.
Restless Nights
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause he made me feel lonely
And we, I guess we knew it was a crime
But I knew you would hold me right
Your love I could never fight
CHORUS
Those restless nights
His touch was ice
Your love was fire
I know everyone needs to feel they're loved
Maybe I asked for too much
Sometimes I really felt so pushed and shoved
But I never meant to hurt him at all
When I slipped you would break my fall
CHORUS
Maybe I'm a fool
But I just can't seem to settle down
Always thinking there's another star
Maybe that's the key
'Cause love is never really sound
And it's the only thing I can do
'Cause I wasn't very good at being true
And now I look back at all the broken dreams
And wonder if I could have changed them
I see that it was in the scheme of things
'Cause still, when I see your face
I know nothing will replace
CHORUS
The lyrics of Karla Bonoff's song Restless Nights are about a person who is caught between two lovers. It seems that the person is in a committed relationship with someone but is feeling lonely and unhappy in the relationship. So, as a way of filling the emotional void, they call up their other lover. The person is aware that what they are doing is wrong but they cannot help themselves. They know that their other lover will hold them tight and make them feel loved.
The chorus of the song talks about the contrast between the two lovers. The person's current lover is cold and distant, while their other lover's love is warm and passionate. The first lover's touch is like ice, while their other lover's love is like fire. The person is torn between two worlds, and although they know that they can never fight the love of their other lover, they also cannot let go of their current lover.
Overall, the song is about the pain and confusion that can come with being torn between two people. It shows the struggle of trying to be faithful to one person while also yearning for another.
Line by Line Meaning
Could it be that I just called you up that time
Wondering if my feelings for you were true or just a result of feeling lonely
Cause he made me feel lonely
My current partner made me feel isolated and alone
And we, I guess we knew it was a crime
We were aware that what we were doing was wrong
But I knew you would hold me right
I trusted that you would comfort me in the right way
Your love I could never fight
I couldn't resist your love and affection
Those restless nights
The sleepless nights spent thinking about our love
so warm and wild
Our passion was intense and exciting
His touch was ice
My current partner's touch was cold and emotionless
Your love was fire
Our love was passionate and full of warmth
I know everyone needs to feel they're loved
I realized that everyone needs to feel loved
Maybe I asked for too much
I might have been asking for more than what was possible
Sometimes I really felt so pushed and shoved
I felt trapped and pressured by my partner
But I never meant to hurt him at all
I never wanted to intentionally hurt my partner
When I slipped you would break my fall
You were always there to catch me and support me during tough times
Maybe I'm a fool
I am aware that I might be foolish for always searching for love
But I just can't seem to settle down
I find it difficult to commit and settle for a single person
Always thinking there's another star
I keep searching for another love which might be brighter and better
Maybe that's the key
Maybe searching for love is the answer to finding real love
'Cause love is never really sound
Love is always unpredictable and uncertain
And it's the only thing I can do
Searching for love is the only option I have
'Cause I wasn't very good at being true
I wasn't very good at being faithful to my partner
And now I look back at all the broken dreams
I reflect on all the love that didn't work out
And wonder if I could have changed them
I question if I could have made a difference in those relationships
I see that it was in the scheme of things
I realize that it was meant to happen that way
'Cause still, when I see your face
Despite all my failed relationships, I still feel strongly towards you
I know nothing will replace
Nothing can compare to the love I have for you
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.