You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Long John Baldry Lyrics
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Anymore when I kiss your lips
There's no tenderness
Like before in your fingertips
It makes me just
Feel like crying (oh, baby)
Cause, baby, something
You've lost that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
You've lost that loving feeling
Now it's gone, gone, gone
Oh, oh, oh
Now there's no welcome look
In your eyes when I reach by you
Now you've started to criticize
Every little thing I do
You're trying hard
Not to show it (oh, baby)
But, baby, baby, I know it
You've lost that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
You've lost that loving feeling
Now it's gone, gone, gone
Oh, oh, oh
Baby, baby, I get right
Down on my knees for you
If you would only love me
Like you used to do, yeah
We had a love, a love
A love you don't find everyday
So darling, darling, darling
Don't throw our love away
No, no, no, no
Well, I said
Baby (baby) baby (baby)
Well, baby (baby) oh, baby
(Bring it on, baby)
I'll bring it on back, child
(Just bring it on back to me)
I'll bring it on back now
(Bring it on back to me)
I said I'll bring it on back
(Well, bring it on, bring it on)
I'll bring it on back now (yeah)
Bring back that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
Bring back that loving feeling
Now it's gone, gone, gone
And I can't go on, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Bring back that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
Bring back that loving feeling
Now it's gone, gone, gone
And I can't go on
And I can't go on
And I can't go on
The lyrics of Long John Baldry's song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' portray the gradual disintegration of a once beautiful and tender love affair. The storyteller laments how their partner, no longer responds to their affection as they used to, and there is no tenderness in their fingertips anymore. The storyteller's partner avoids displaying their unhappiness or disappointment in their relationship, but the storyteller can tell that they have "lost that loving feeling." The storyteller pleads with their partner to bring back the passion and tenderness of their love affair, but they cannot go on as things are, resolved to move on.
The refrain "You've lost that loving feeling" is the dominant and most memorable aspect of the song. It's sung rhythmically and carried over one verse to deliver the woeful message of the song's theme perfectly.
In a broader context, the song reflects love's fallacy, the reason many couples fall apart, "loving feeling" is ephemeral, it can easily dwindle away. The song's verses detail precisely the little things that start to go wrong in a relationship, the reasons that the "loving feeling" disappears.
Another interesting aspect of the song, aside from its popularity, is that it's perfect for karaoke. The duet version of the song even won the 1981 People's Choice Award for favorite song to sing/share with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
You never close your eyes
Anymore when I kiss your lips
You don't seem to be caught up in the moment when we kiss anymore.
There's no tenderness
Like before in your fingertips
You don't touch me as gently or affectionately as you once did.
It makes me just
Feel like crying (oh, baby)
Your actions are hurting me deeply and causing me to feel very emotional.
Cause, baby, something
Beautiful's dying
Our relationship is starting to fall apart, and it's heartbreaking to watch something that was once so beautiful fade away.
Now there's no welcome look
In your eyes when I reach by you
When I approach you, I no longer see the same warmth and affection in your eyes that used to be there.
Now you've started to criticize
Every little thing I do
You've become more critical of me and everything I do, which is causing a strain in our relationship.
You're trying hard
Not to show it (oh, baby)
You're doing your best to hide your feelings, but it's clear that something is not right.
But, baby, baby, I know it
I can sense that something is off between us, even if you're not saying anything.
Baby, baby, I get right
Down on my knees for you
I'm willing to go to great lengths to make this relationship work, and I'm asking you to do the same.
If you would only love me
Like you used to do, yeah
All I want is for you to show me the same love and affection you once did.
We had a love, a love
A love you don't find everyday
We had something special and rare that doesn't come around all the time.
So darling, darling, darling
Don't throw our love away
Don't give up on us completely, because I still believe there's something worth saving in our relationship.
Bring back that loving feeling
Oh, that loving feeling
Bring back that loving feeling
Now it's gone, gone, gone
I'm begging you to bring back the love and affection we once had, because it feels like it's completely disappeared.
And I can't go on, oh, oh, oh
Without that love and affection in our relationship, it's hard for me to keep going.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Philip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivorb8835
Reached No. 2 nationally in Australia(1 wk), kept from No.1 by The Village People "You Can't Stop The Music". Was also No.3 for 5 weeks. It is still my favourite version of the song....at the time l thought it was an original....l had so much to learn.
Some great songs only reached No.2 on the Australian charts in 1980
1/ Dreaming My Dreams With You-Colleen Hewett (5 wks)
2/ Another Brick In The Wall Part II- Pink Floyd (5 wks)
3/ Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders (3 wks)
4/ Coming Up -Paul McCartney (3 wks)
5/ What I Like About You- The Romantics ( 2 wks)
6/ Xanadu -ELO/ONJ (2 wks)
7/ Babooshka - Kate Bush (3 wks)
8/ Master Blaster - Stevie Wonder (1 wk)
@josephalvaro5244
Kathi McDonald was a force of nature.Such a soulful voice.Sorrily missed by everyone who ever saw her perform.
@CamiMorriseau
I remember this just before 20 in Calgary
Luv it and the memory to it! Life has been grand all the way❤😊
@darrensmith1523
Wow how good are the voices ... so uplifting .. Possibly the greatest duet in musical history 👋
@spiritoflights
yes indeed 100 percent!
@andrewfrancis7272
This version was only a big hit in Australia. I remember it; unfortunately I was too young to appreciate what a classic song it is. Long John and K sing the hell out of it here!
@ivorb8835
Reached No. 2 nationally in Australia(1 wk), kept from No.1 by The Village People "You Can't Stop The Music". Was also No.3 for 5 weeks. It is still my favourite version of the song....at the time l thought it was an original....l had so much to learn.
Some great songs only reached No.2 on the Australian charts in 1980
1/ Dreaming My Dreams With You-Colleen Hewett (5 wks)
2/ Another Brick In The Wall Part II- Pink Floyd (5 wks)
3/ Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders (3 wks)
4/ Coming Up -Paul McCartney (3 wks)
5/ What I Like About You- The Romantics ( 2 wks)
6/ Xanadu -ELO/ONJ (2 wks)
7/ Babooshka - Kate Bush (3 wks)
8/ Master Blaster - Stevie Wonder (1 wk)
@6ixConfessions
I loved the version Jon English & Marcia Hines did. Unfortunately, I can't find a copy or video of it anywhere.
@Shelley550
I think this is one of the best versions
@GereDJ2
This should be played on all Classic Rock format FM radio stations. Too good to ignore.
@andrewhazenberg3398
That is by far the best version of that song that I have ever heard ! ❤