In late 1968, Chappell and Lovich went to London, England to attend art school. It was there that Lovich first tied her hair into the plaits that later became a visual trademark, though at first she did it to keep her hair out of the clay when studying sculpture. Expressing a variety of artistic interests, she sought to find the best outlets for her work.
Over the following decade, Lovich attended several art schools, busked around the London Underground and appeared in cabaret clubs as an "Oriental" dancer. She also travelled to Spain, where she visited Salvador Dalí in his home. She played acoustic rock music around London, sang in the mass choir of a show called Quintessence at the Royal Albert Hall, played a soldier in Arthur Brown's show, worked as a "go-go" dancer with the Radio One Roadshow, toured Italy with a West Indian soul band, and played saxophone for Bob Flag's Balloon and Banana Band and for an all-girl cabaret trio, The Sensations. She recorded screams for horror films, adapted lyrics for French disco star Cerrone (including the sci-fi dance smash "Supernature," later recorded by Lovich in her own version) and worked with various fringe theatre groups. She was also one of thousands of people in the audience at the 1972 Lanchester Arts Festival when Chuck Berry recorded the risqué "My Ding-a-Ling" for Chess Records. As the audience was encouraged to sing-a-long technically this could be described as her first appearance on record. The record was a No. 1 hit in the U.K. and the U.S.A.
In 1975, Lene joined The Diversions, a funk group that put out five singles and an album on Polydor Records without success. In 1978, disc jockey and author Charlie Gillett presented her to Stiff Records boss, Dave Robinson, who quickly signed her to a contract. Her first single for Stiff was "I Think We're Alone Now", a cover of a song originally performed by Tommy James & The Shondells.
Invited to join the Be Stiff Route 78 Tour on 1978, Lovich quickly recorded her first album for Stiff, Stateless, which spawned the remixed hit singles "Lucky Number" and "Say When." Lovich's musical style combined ethnic influences with then current punk rock and new wave.
Maintaining her long term writing partnership with Les Chappell, Lovich recorded the albums Flex and No-Man's-Land for Stiff over the next few years, as well as an EP titled New Toy, the title cut penned by touring band member Thomas Dolby. She also recorded vocals for the track 'Picnic Boy' by The Residents. Following her departure from Stiff, Lovich released "Don't Kill The Animals," a single with Nina Hagen, with whom she had previously appeared in Cha Cha, a film that also starred Herman Brood; together, the three created the film's soundtrack.
In 1989, after an absence of several years, she recorded the album, March which was only moderately successful and was not released until nearly a year after the album's single "Wonderland" had been issued and become an American dance hit. Lovich continues to perform in much the same style she did back in the 1970s and 1980s, with Les Chappell still at her side. In 2005 she appeared on Hawkwind's Take Me to Your Leader CD, as well as appearing occasionally on stage with them.
Lovich's first album since March, entitled Shadows and Dust received a limited release on Mike Thorne's Stereo Society label on September 13, 2005.
Tonight
Lene Lovich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at the moon and stars all shining bright
It's a wonderful night, alright
Oh it's so heavenly
I could almost believe
You could fall in love with me
Tonight
A secret place where I sometimes go
If you wanna know where we'll go there
So don't hesitate 'cause although it ain't late we still can't afford to wait
Chorus
Tonight
There will be no sorrow
Tonight
Don't think about tomorrow
Tonight we'll do what must be done
So we won't be the lonely ones
Tonight
How can we fail to fall
Tonight
Is really magical
Tonight we're just a boy and girl
The only people in the world
Tonight
Chorus to fade
The song "Tonight" by Lene Lovich is a beautiful love song that talks about spending a magical night with someone special. The first verse sets the stage for the mood of the song, with Lovich marveling at the beauty of the night sky and how it feels heavenly. She then goes on to say that she could almost believe that her crush could fall in love with her on this special night. The second verse talks about a secret place she knows of where they can go to spend the night together. Lovich urges her lover not to hesitate because they can't afford to wait, and it's clear that she wants to seize the moment and make it a night to remember.
The chorus is the main theme of the song and talks about how this night is special because there will be no sorrow or worries about tomorrow. Lovich wants to make the most of this opportunity and do what must be done so that they won't be the lonely ones. She believes that this night is truly magical and that they will fall in love with each other. The song ends with the chorus fading out, leaving the listener with the impression that Lovich and her lover have indeed had a magical night together.
Line by Line Meaning
What a fabulous night
This night is amazing and full of wonder.
Look at the moon and stars all shining bright
The moon and stars are shining so bright and beautiful.
It's a wonderful night, alright
This is an absolutely fantastic night, no doubt about it.
Oh it's so heavenly
This feels like something out of a dream, it's so perfect.
I could almost believe
This night is so magical, it almost feels unreal.
You could fall in love with me
This night is so perfect, it feels like anyone could fall in love.
There's a place that I know
I have a special secret place that I go to sometimes.
A secret place where I sometimes go
This place is secret and I only go there on occasion.
If you wanna know where we'll go there
If you're curious, I will take you to this place.
So don't hesitate 'cause although it ain't late we still can't afford to wait
Let's not waste any time, even though it's not late yet we don't want to miss out.
Tonight there will be no sorrow
This night will be free of sadness and pain.
Tonight don't think about tomorrow
Let's not worry about the future, just focus on this moment.
Tonight we'll do what must be done
We'll take care of everything we need to tonight.
So we won't be the lonely ones
We'll make sure we're not alone, and have each other's company.
Tonight, how can we fail to fall
Given how perfect this night feels, how could we not fall for each other?
Tonight is really magical
This night is enchanting and otherworldly.
Tonight we're just a boy and girl
In this moment, we're just two people enjoying each other's company.
The only people in the world
It feels like we're the only two people on the planet in this moment.
Chorus
The chorus repeats the idea that tonight is perfect, magical, and full of possibility.
Chorus to fade
The chorus continues until the song fades out, emphasizing the idea that this night is special and will be remembered for a long time.
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@adrianmonk4440
Great voice, Great Alternative/Indi Pop-Rock, New Wave Music, Great songs; AND, SHE CAN GET DOWN ON THAT SAX. A flare & dramatic stage presentation. I also have a thing for south-eastern European girls (Serbian descent).
@TheFuzzieWuzzie
I love this album so much. Lene's vocals are so beautiful.
@edmund184
they are full of trauma actually
@01aleph
Yep , she's great singer and this album is amazing , this year is 40 years that was released ...
@brucekilby9957
Lene is so great just the best surrealist musician love her and Nina.
@pamelaa.mankowski212
Shoot I remember blasting this in my back yard .. and dancing in the nude .. lololol my pets Brewski and daisy just starred … epic
moment
@christopherobrien2675
An unappreciated gem from one of the great albums of all time. Part of my Senior Year of high school soundtrack.
@RodrigoAlgorta
Can't loop enough this song, this entire album.
@vertxxgg
one of the greatest artist of 80's..like Pricesse Mourousi in 40's
@Geburtswehe
so sweet and innocent, simply her best poem