Gramm sang lead vocals on all of Foreigner's arena rock classics such as "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded", "Urgent", "Double Vision", "Juke Box Hero", "Head Games", "Dirty White Boy" and "Say You Will", as well as the popular power ballad tunes "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".
In 1987, during Foreigner's hiatus, Gramm released the album Ready Or Not which brought him positive critical reviews and a top five hit single with "Midnight Blue". This was followed by a second solo effort Long Hard Look, which brought a Top Ten hit "Just Between You and Me", and "True Blue Love", which reached the Top 40. Gramm also performed the title song from the 1987 movie soundtrack The Lost Boys, titled "Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Boys)".
Shadow King was formed in 1990, by Lou Gramm, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Foreigner bass player Bruce Turgon, and drummer Kevin Valentine. Shadow King only had one official studio release, their 1991 eponymous debut album, Shadow King. Although Gramm, Turgon, Campbell and Valentine contributed the song "One Dream" to the Highlander II: The Quickening soundtrack in 1991, the track was officially credited to The Lou Gramm Band.
He also appeared on the Don Mancuso solo cd "D Drive" doing lead vocals in 4 songs and co writing on 2 in 2004. He has now released The Lou Gramm Band's The Lou Gramm Band cd in 2009 with his brothers Ben & Richard. Also writing and appearing on the Christian Rock release are former Black Sheep guitarist Don Mancuso and Andy Knoll on keyboards.
If I Don
Lou Gramm Lyrics
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Watching the blues turn to gray
I never felt so much sorrow
Don't know if I can face tomorrow
Don't know where this love lies
Need to know but that's all right
Feel lost and alone and last
I need to be needed
Not if I don't have you
There's nothing for me tomorrow
Not if I don't have you
Loneliness turns to sorrow
Another lonely day
Watching the blues turn to gray
I never felt so much sorrow
Don't know if I can face tomorrow
Don't let this love die
Like the sun at last daylight
You can't leave love alone
How long would it last
Not if I don't have you
There's nothing for me tomorrow
Not if I don't have you
Loneliness turns to sorrow
Another lonely day
The lyrics of Lou Gramm's If I Don't Have You are a reflection on the feeling of loneliness and sorrow that one experiences after a breakup or separation from a loved one. The opening words "another lonely day" depict the singer's state of mind after a failed relationship, watching as everything he used to enjoy turns to gray. The lyrics go on to express how the singer is overwhelmed with emotions and uncertainty about the future, and how the need for love and companionship is driving him crazy with longingness.
The singer, though struggling to come to terms with the loss, still hopes to reconcile and finds himself yearning for answers, as he asks "don't know where this love lies, need to know but that's all right." Despite feeling lost and alone, he clings on to the hope of a reunion, "not if I don't have you, there's nothing for me tomorrow, loneliness turns to sorrow." He emphasizes the importance of not letting love die, and the need to fight for it, as "you can't leave love alone, how long would it last."
Overall, the song conveys emotions of vulnerability and isolation, but also emphasizes the potency of love and hope despite the struggles of a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Another lonely day
The singer is experiencing another day of isolation and solitude.
Watching the blues turn to gray
The sadness and pain the singer feels is becoming more and more unbearable and unbearable.
I never felt so much sorrow
The singer is expressing how unprecedented and overwhelming his sadness and sorrow are.
Don't know if I can face tomorrow
The singer is uncertain if they can deal with another day of emotional pain and despair.
Don't know where this love lies
The singer is unsure about the current state and future of their romantic relationship.
Need to know but that's all right
The singer acknowledges the importance of getting clarification, while also being okay with not having all the answers or certainty.
Feel lost and alone and last
The singer feels completely isolated and disconnected from others and like they're at the very bottom of their life.
I need to be needed
The singer expresses his desire to be valued and important to those around him.
Not if I don't have you
The singer explains that he cannot go on without his love interest.
There's nothing for me tomorrow
The singer believes that without his love interest, the future holds no meaning, hope or excitement for him.
Loneliness turns to sorrow
The singer is highlighting the relationship between his solitude and misery, where being alone eventually leads to him overthinking things and plunging into despair.
Don't let this love die
The singer is calling out to his partner to not let their relationship fade away or end completely.
Like the sun at last daylight
The singer is using the metaphor of the sun setting at the end of the day to describe how he's fearfully anticipating the end of his relationship.
You can't leave love alone
The singer is emphasizing that love cannot survive or flourish if it's not given attention, care and effort.
How long would it last
The singer is questioning the longevity of his relationship if the current situation continues and if the issues are not resolved.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE TURGON, LOU GRAMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind