Band formation
L.T.D. (which stood for Love, Togetherness and Devotion) was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie "J.D." Davis and saxophonist Abraham "Onion" Miller. Both were former backing musicians for soul duo Sam and Dave. The band was originally named Love Men, Ltd.
The other members of the band were recruited following the relocation of Jimmie and Abraham to New York City:
Henry Davis, bassist
Johnny McGhee, guitarist
Carle Vickers, trumpeter
Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie, saxophonist
Toby Wynn, saxophonist
Jake Riley, Jr., trombonist
Jeffrey Osborne, singer and drummer
The group then settled in Los Angeles, where Osborne's brother, Billy Osborne joined the lineup as the keyboardist.
Discography
L.T.D. signed with the A&M label to issue their 1974 debut Love, Togetherness and Devotion. On their third LP, 1976's Love to the World, the group scored their first Top 20 pop hit, Love Ballad. The follow-up, 1977's Something to Love, included the top five track (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again. Four years later L.T.D. returned to the Top 40 once again with Shine On.
Sometimes
L.T.D. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been easier for me to smile while I'm burning
Than to show what's inside when i'm not alright
Now I just look in your eyes and I hear you so loud
I'm not gonna think you're weak
That's not what you are to me
I'm not gonna try to be someone who tells you how to feel
I'm just gonna let you speak
I'll try to be what you need and always give you all of me
Cause,
Sometimes words are enough
Sometimes we need a touch
Sometimes it doesn't matter we still break in two
Sometimes we all fall
Think we've lost it all
So when you need a heart, I've got a heart for you
I know you love me, you see through the clutter
I'm not easy to read, but you can tell when I suffer
When I'm feeling down, there's no point in lying
Cause if you're by my side, I know I'll get through somehow
I'm not gonna think you're weak
That's not what you are to me
I'm not gonna try to be someone who tells you how to feel
I'm just gonna let you speak
Or if you just wanna breath
I'll try to be what you need and always give you all of me
Cause,
Sometimes words are enough
Sometimes we need a touch
Sometimes it doesn't matter we still break in two
Sometimes we all fall
Think we've lost it all
So when you need a heart, I've got a heart for you
If you lose the fire somewhere in those eyes
If you're just too tired, then let me be your light
Nothing makes me stronger than being here with you
So if you ever go under
I can breath for two
The lyrics of L.T.D.'s "Sometimes" describe the struggle to open up to someone and reveal one's vulnerability even when it seems easier to hide behind a smile. Through the chorus, the song emphasizes the importance of being there for each other, through good times and bad, and giving all that one has to offer. The singer of the song has found someone who understands them, sees through their facade, and is willing to be there for them through thick and thin.
The first verse talks about the singer's tendency to hide when they are hurting. They find it easier to put on a smile and pretend that everything is okay rather than showing what's going on inside. But with the person they are addressing in the song, they feel safe to open up and reveal what's going on. They value this person's presence and want to assure them that they don't see them as weak for showing emotion.
The chorus reinforces the idea that sometimes words aren't enough to ease one's pain, but a touch or presence can make all the difference. Even when things feel hopeless and like everything is falling apart, the song maintains that one can find light in the darkness by relying on someone else's heart. In the second verse, the singer reciprocates what their partner has done for them by assuring them that they will be there, too, when the tables are turned. They want to be the light when the other person is feeling tired, and they feel stronger when they are supporting each other.
Overall, the song conveys a message of reassurance and support. It acknowledges the difficulties of reconciling one's inner emotions with the outside world but encourages the listener to find comfort in the idea that they are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I've always had ways to hide while I'm hurting
I have always found ways to cover up my pain whenever I am hurting.
Been easier for me to smile while I'm burning
It has been more effortless for me to grin through my agony than to express my true feelings.
Than to show what's inside when i'm not alright
It has been harder for me to reveal what is inside whenever I am in a bad state.
Now I just look in your eyes and I hear you so loud
Currently, all I have to do is gaze into your eyes and I can comprehend everything you want to express to me.
I'm not gonna think you're weak
I am not going to consider you as powerless for sharing your feelings with me.
That's not what you are to me
In my eyes, you would never be perceived as weak for opening up to me.
I'm not gonna try to be someone who tells you how to feel
I am not going to attempt to be someone who dictates to you how you should feel.
I'm just gonna let you speak
I will only let you articulate your thoughts and emotions without any interruptions or judgments.
Or if you just wanna breath
If all you want to do is take a deep breath without saying anything, then that is also fine.
I'll try to be what you need and always give you all of me
I will endeavor to be exactly what you require from me and constantly give you my all.
Cause, Sometimes words are enough
Sometimes, words are sufficient to convey what we want to say.
Sometimes we need a touch
Sometimes, we require a physical touch to feel reassured and comforted.
Sometimes it doesn't matter we still break in two
Despite all the efforts we make to stay strong, sometimes we still end up falling apart.
Sometimes we all fall
At times, we all stumble and encounter difficulties in life.
Think we've lost it all
There are moments where we feel like everything we have is slipping away from us.
So when you need a heart, I've got a heart for you
Therefore, if you ever need a heart to lean on or someone to confide in, I will always be there for you.
I know you love me, you see through the clutter
I am confident that you love me and can see beyond the confusion and chaos surrounding me.
I'm not easy to read, but you can tell when I suffer
It may not be easy to read my emotions, but you can always sense when I am going through a tough time.
When I'm feeling down, there's no point in lying
Whenever I am feeling unwell emotionally, there is no use in pretending otherwise.
Cause if you're by my side, I know I'll get through somehow
Knowing that you are beside me gives me the strength I need to overcome any challenges.
If you lose the fire somewhere in those eyes
In the event that you lose your passion and drive in life and your eyes become dull.
If you're just too tired, then let me be your light
If you are too worn out and do not have the energy to carry on, allow me to be the guiding light to lead the way for you.
Nothing makes me stronger than being here with you
Being with you and supporting you when you need me makes me feel strong and empowered.
So if you ever go under, I can breath for two
Therefore, if you ever feel overwhelmed and as if you cannot go on, I can be there for both of us and support the both of us together.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Ellen Falkås, Eric Wictor, Kemal Prusevic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janice Wilson
Thanks for posting this song it brings so many good memories back! WOW! LOVE IT!
Donald Lynch
This kind music can never be duplicated
Donald Lynch
This music can never be duplicated
denise jackson
Never!❤️
Queen Wade
The music was so sweet back then songs like this just pierced your very soul this generation today will never understand I know their mind couldn't conceive it and their hearts wouldn't believe it .
Jason Elias
So true.
Marcus Anderson
An underrated classic!
jubai12345
100%
Robert Black
Thank you Jason! A great song off of a great album! I wish that Jeffrey Osborne would have stuck around and did a few more albums with LTD before going solo.
Jason Elias
+Robert Black You're welcome Robert! wish he did a few more albums with LTD too.