Loggins was born in Everett, Washington and is the youngest of three brothers. His mother was Lina (née Massie), a homemaker, and his father, Robert George Loggins, was a salesman. They lived in Detroit and Seattle before settling in Alhambra, California. Loggins attended San Gabriel Mission High School, graduating in 1966. He formed a band called the Second Helping that released three singles during 1968 and 1969 on Viva Records. Greg Shaw described the efforts as "excellent punky folk-pop records" that were written by Loggins who was likely to be the bandleader and singer as well; Shaw included "Let Me In" on both Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 2 and the Pebbles, Volume 9 CD.
Loggins had a short gig playing guitar for the New Improved Electric Prunes in 1969 before writing four songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which were included in their Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy album. During his early twenties, he was part of the band Gator Creek with Mike Deasy. An early version of "Danny's Song" (later recorded by Loggins and Messina and a No. 7 Hot 100 hit for Anne Murray in 1973) was included in a record on Mercury Records.
Loggins appears in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V playing himself as the host of an in-game radio station called Los Santos Rock Radio. He also lends the songs "Danger Zone" and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)", and sings station jingles.
In 2014, Loggins appeared as himself in the episode "Baby Shower" of the fifth season of the animated comedy series Archer. His song "Danger Zone" had been a recurring joke in the show. At the end of the episode and during the credits, Loggins also performs a country version of "Danger Zone" as a duet with the character of Cherlene. Loggins stated in a later interview that his in-show nickname 'K-Log' is a complete creation of the show, stating, "It was always a joke. That's why it works, because it's so absurd.
Hope For The Runaway
Kenny Loggins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alone and weak from the cold and hunger,
Trembling hands unfold a photograph.
Mom and Dan and Ann Marie,
Smiles from a distant sunrise,
The only smile you've seen in days.
[Chorus:]
Come back my darlin'
Come back to me
Or I will fade away
Come back to me
Come back my darlin'
I still believe in you
My runaway.
Jesse and Willy Lee
Play in the street while their mother wonders,
"Why won't they listen to a word I say?"
I sing a lullaby
To the baby in my arms
And the laughter fades away.
[Chorus]
Come back to me
Come back my darlin'
I'm sending hope
For the runaway
Somewhere a flash of light
Cuts through the night
Like a lighthouse callin'
All of the lost and forgotten.
I made a vow I will continue
'Til I find you.
I'll never stop, I'll never stop believin'
I will wait for you forever
Sending you hope, for the runaway.
The song "Hope For The Runaway" by Kenny Loggins is a heartfelt appeal to a lost loved one who has become homeless and alienated from the world around them. The song describes life on the streets, cold and hungry, and the singer's only solace is a faded photograph of happier times. The chorus is a plea for the runaway to return, promising that the singer will never stop believing in them and will wait for them forever. The song takes a step further in the second verse by painting a picture of a family consisting of a mother and her two young boys, Jesse and Willy Lee, in stark contrast to the solitary life of the runaway. The bridge brings a ray of hope as a flash of light cuts through the night, like a lighthouse calling on the lost and forgotten. The singer makes a vow to continue searching until he/she finds the runaway.
The theme of the song is one of unconditional love and support, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It encourages the runaway to come out of the shadows and reunite with the love and care they had left behind. The song is a heartfelt message that emphasizes the importance of family and the love and kindness that can bring people back from the brink of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Out in the city streets
You are walking around town.
Alone and weak from the cold and hunger,
You are cold and hungry and feel helpless and alone.
Trembling hands unfold a photograph.
You pull out a picture that makes you smile.
Mom and Dan and Ann Marie,
Your family is in the photo.
Smiles from a distant sunrise,
The picture was taken long ago, during a happier time.
The only smile you've seen in days.
That is the last time you remember truly smiling.
Come back to me
Come back my darlin'
Come back to me
Or I will fade away
Come back to me
Come back my darlin'
I still believe in you
My runaway.
Please come back to me, my love. I miss you and I'm worried. I believe you can come back and change your life.
Jesse and Willy Lee
Play in the street while their mother wonders,
"Why won't they listen to a word I say?"
Two kids play outside while their mother wonders why they won't behave.
I sing a lullaby
To the baby in my arms
And the laughter fades away.
You sing to your baby, but your worries and fears remain.
Come back to me
Come back my darlin'
I'm sending hope
For the runaway
Please come back to me. I still have hope that you will return.
Somewhere a flash of light
Cuts through the night
Like a lighthouse callin'
All of the lost and forgotten.
A beacon of hope shines through the darkness and represents a chance for change.
I made a vow I will continue
'Til I find you.
I promise to keep searching for you until I find you.
I'll never stop, I'll never stop believin'
I will wait for you forever
Sending you hope, for the runaway.
I will always have faith in you and wait for you to come home. Even when you feel lost, I'm still rooting for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK LEONARD, KENNY LOGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind