Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer, 21 May 1948) is a British-born singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer, 21 May 1948) is a British-born singer-songwriter musician, and entertainer (now an Australian citizen and resident) whose singing career has spanned four decades.
Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, and became a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. His first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reached the Top 10 – a feat first registered by his first manager, Adam Faith. His songs have been sung by other notable artists, including Cliff Richard ("Dreamin'").

When I Need You
Leo Sayer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I need you
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so want to give you
It's only a heartbeat away

When I need love
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love

Keeping me warm night and day

Miles and miles of empty space in between us
The telephone can't take the place of your smile
But you know I won't be travelin' forever
It's cold out but hold out and do I like I do

When I need you
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so want to give you babe
It's only a heartbeat away

It's not easy when the road is your driver
Honey that's a heavy load that we bear
But you know I won't be travelin' a lifetime
It's cold out but hold out and do like I do

Oh, I need you

When I need love
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love
Keeping me warm night and day

When I need you
I just close my eyes
And you're right here by my side
Keeping me warm night and day

I just hold out my hands
I just hold out my hand
And I'm with you darlin'
Yes, I'm with you darlin'
All I want to give you
It's only a heartbeat away

Oh, I need you darling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" express a love so strong that distance cannot diminish its power. The singer acknowledges that despite the miles and miles of empty space between him and his love, he can still find solace in knowing that they are never truly apart. Whenever he needs her, he simply closes his eyes and finds himself with her, able to give her all that he desires to give. The second verse furthers the sentiment by stating that when he needs love, he holds out his hands and touches love, stating that he never knew there was so much love keeping him warm both day and night.

The bridge of the song acknowledges the difficulties of being away from one's love, with the singer stating that it's not easy when the road is your driver, but he won't be traveling forever. Despite the hardship, he encourages his love to hold out and do like he does, to stay strong knowing that their love is only a heartbeat away. Finally, in the last verse, he repeats the refrain of needing her and holding out his hands for love, driving home the theme and the strength of his love for her.

Overall, "When I Need You" is a testament to the power of love, and how even distance cannot break the bond between two people who share a deep connection.

Line by Line Meaning

When I need you
In times of need, I turn to you

I just close my eyes and I'm with you
Closing my eyes teleports me to thoughts of you

And all that I so want to give you
My aspirations for you

It's only a heartbeat away
Within reach

When I need love
Whenever I require affection

I hold out my hands and I touch love
I extend my arms to embrace you

I never knew there was so much love
I didn't realize the extent of your affection

Keeping me warm night and day
Providing comfort and support constantly

Miles and miles of empty space in between us
A vast distance separates us

The telephone can't take the place of your smile
Nothing can substitute for your real presence

But you know I won't be travelin' forever
I won't be on this journey alone forever

It's cold out but hold out and do I like I do
It's difficult but keep persevering as I do

It's not easy when the road is your driver
It's challenging when one's path is unclear

Honey that's a heavy load that we bear
The burden is significant

Oh, I need you
Oh, how much I need you

And you're right here by my side
I feel your presence beside me

I just hold out my hands
I extend my arms to you

And I'm with you darlin'
I am with you, my darling

Yes, I'm with you darlin'
Indeed, I am with you my love

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Albert Hammond, Carole Bayer Sager

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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