d. 31st January 1983.
Lorraine Ellison's full name is Marybelle Luraine Ellison Gonzalez-Keys (she was married twice) and was born and raised in Philadelphia.
Lorraine recorded with two gospel groups, the Ellison Singers and the Golden Chords, but left the latter in 1964 to pursue a solo career in R & B music.
She also sang with a group called the Sylvania Singers before forming the Ellison Singers.
'I Dig You Baby' (number 22 R & B) in 1965 was her first chart entry.
Lorraine signed with the Loma imprint, and had a fortunate break when Frank Sinatra cancelled a studio recording, leaving an orchestra with nothing to do.
She stood in at the last minute and recorded the Soul Classic, 'Stay With Me'.
'Stay With Me' (number 11 R & B, number 64 pop) in 1966 was the song that really took her to another level.
'Stay With Me' was written and produced by Jerry Ragovoy and really helped establish and imbed Soul Music within the music industry.
'Heart Be Still' (number 43 R & B, number 89 pop), followed in 1967.
Lorraine never charted again, however, she released 'Try Just A Little Bit Harder' in 1968, which rock singer Janis Joplin later remade with great success.
Her compositions, on which she often collaborated with her manager, Sam Bell (of Garnet Mimms And The Enchanters fame), were recorded by Howard Tate and Garnet Mimms.
Lorraine has a surviving daughter named Tonya A. Ellison-Veal.
There are 2 remaining members of the original Ellison singers still getting on with day to day things, (Pauline Ellison-King & Jean Ellison-Dennison).
Lorraine gave up the music business in order to take care of her ailing mother, singing mostly in the Beth-el Baptist and Christlike Baptist Church before her death in 1983 of ovarian cancer.
Only Your Love
Lorraine Ellison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And take away the pain
For your love I'd beg, steal, or borrow
To have you back again
It's been such a long time
Since you've been gone
I need you so bad
I get down on my knees
And I will beg you for
(Only your love) Only your love
(Only your love) I need, I need your love
(Only your love) Oh yes, I do
(Only your love)
And take all the sadness
Right out of my heart
Only your love can bring back the gladness
We'll make a new start
Oh, we'll make a new start
I get down on my knees
And I will beg you for
(Only your love) Only your love
(Only your love) I need, I need, I need, I need your love
(Only your love) Oh oh oh
(Only your love)
I need you (only your love)
Whoa, yes I do
The lyrics of Lorraine Ellison's song "Only your love" highlight the desperation and yearning for a lost love. The singer of the song acknowledges that only the love of the person they have lost can ease their sorrow and take away their pain. The lyrics further express how the singer would go to extreme lengths to have their lost love back again. The person has been gone for a long time, and the singer cannot go on without them. The pain is so great that the singer gets down on their knees and begs for their love to return, as only their love can take away the sadness from their heart and bring back gladness. The song ends on a hopeful note that the two will make a fresh start.
In summary, the lyrics of "Only your love" are a plea from a heartbroken protagonist who is willing to do anything to be reunited with their lost love. The song portrays the idea that true love is the only thing that can heal a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Only your love will ease my sorrow
Without your love, my sorrow will never fade.
And take away the pain
Your love is the only cure for my pain.
For your love I'd beg, steal, or borrow
I would do absolutely anything to have your love back.
To have you back again
I miss you so much and I need you back in my life.
It's been such a long time
I have been without you for an unbearable amount of time.
Since you've been gone
My life has been empty and meaningless since you left.
I need you so bad
I am desperate for your love and presence.
Without you I can't, I can't go on
Life without you is unbearable and I cannot continue like this.
I get down on my knees
I am willing to humble myself and do anything to win you back.
And I will beg you for
I am willing to beg for your love.
(Only your love) Only your love
Your love is the only thing that can fix my broken heart.
(Only your love) I need, I need your love
I am desperate for your love and cannot live without it.
(Only your love) Oh yes, I do
I am completely certain that I need your love to survive.
And take all the sadness
Your love has the power to remove all sadness from my heart.
Right out of my heart
My heart is where my sadness resides and only your love can take it away.
Only your love can bring back the gladness
I can only find happiness and joy in your love.
We'll make a new start
We can start over and rebuild our love together.
Oh, we'll make a new start
We can have a fresh beginning and start anew.
I need, I need, I need, I need your love
I cannot stress enough how important your love is to me.
(Only your love) Oh oh oh
Your love is the only thing that can bring me hope and happiness.
I need you (only your love)
I need you and your love more than anything in this world.
Whoa, yes I do
I am absolutely sure that I need your love to survive and thrive.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jerry Ragovoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind