In 1969 Nightingale began a tenure of roughly a year and a half in the West End production of Hair playing a supporting role and understudying the female lead role of Sheila: Nightingale then relocated to Germany, having formed a relationship with an actor from the German production of Hair whom she had met when he visited the West End production. In Germany, Nightingale continued her stage musical career in Hair (as Sheila), Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell, and she began a relationship with Minoru Terada Domberger, the director of the German production of Hair, which led to marriage and a daughter, Langka Veva Domberger, born in 1973.[4]Nightingale returned to London with her husband and daughter and appeared in the West End production of Savages, after which she withdrew from professional performing. According to Nightingale, "I started doing session singing. I didn't do a lot but it was easy to go out in the evening when the baby was sleeping."[5] Her vocalizing on the recording of Al Matthews' "Fool" caught the attention of the session's producer Pierre Tubbs, enough that he asked composer J. Vincent Edwards to write a song for her. Edwards, who had worked with Nightingale in the West End production of Hair, convinced her to record the song, "Right Back Where We Started From", overcoming Nightingale's initial refusal and disinterest in a second attempt at a recording career. She recorded "Right Back Where We Started From" with the understanding it would be issued under a pseudonym. (Nightingale also had to be convinced to take a royalty rather than a onetime $45 session fee.)
After being released on United Artists Records (in Nightingale's true name), "Right Back Where We Started From" reached #8 in the UK in the autumn of 1975. It was released in the US early 1976 to enthusiastic reaction, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1976. Nightingale, who had accompanied her husband to his native Japan, was motivated by her single's US success to return to London to complete a Right Back Where We Started From album. She then proceeded to the US, which has since remained her home base.
Love Hit Me
Maxine Nightingale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love hit me.
And there was no way I could run
But my loneliness was over
And my life had just begun.
When I saw your smile
Love hit me.
I was hypnotized by your beauty
And I just had to stay.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
You can really turn me on
Oh, honey you're the only one.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long.
I can feel it coming on
Love hit me and it's going strong.
Right smack between the eyes
Love hit me.
You must have known this lonely boy
Needed loving and affection
And that's why I can't avoid it.
Standing out a mile
Love hit me
Ever since you came my way.
Now I believe in miracles
They happen every day.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
You can really turn me on.
Oh, honey you're the only one.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
I can feel it coming on
Love hit me and it's going strong.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
You can really turn me on
Oh, honey you're the only one, the only
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
You can really turn me on
Love hit me and it's going strong.
The lyrics to Maxine Nightingale's "Love Hit Me" describe the powerful and immediate impact that falling in love can have on a person. From the moment the singer sees their love interest's face and smile, they are completely smitten and unable to resist the pull of their attraction. The lyrics are filled with expressions of joy and relief as the singer's loneliness comes to an end and their new life with their lover begins. They marvel at their lover's beauty and the way they make them feel, confident that they are the only one for them.
The repeated refrain of "baby let your love shine on, keep it burning all night long" reinforces the idea that love is something that needs to be nurtured and sustained, like a flame that needs to be kept alive. The song exudes a sense of optimism and hopefulness, emphasizing the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I saw your face,
Love hit me.
Upon seeing your face, I experienced a sudden and intense feeling of affection.
And there was no way I could run
But my loneliness was over
And my life had just begun.
Though I felt overwhelmed by the love I felt for you, I knew that running away was not an option. Your love gave me a sense of completeness I had never felt before.
When I saw your smile
Love hit me.
Just seeing your smile was enough to make me feel an overwhelming sense of love for you.
And I just couldn't turn away.
I was hypnotized by your beauty
And I just had to stay.
Your beauty captivated me, and I couldn't resist staying close to you.
Baby let your love shine on
Keep it burning all night long
You can really turn me on
Oh, honey you're the only one.
Please continue to show me your love and keep it strong. I find you irresistible and I want to be with only you.
I can feel it coming on
Love hit me and it's going strong.
I can feel my love for you growing stronger with each passing moment.
Right smack between the eyes
Love hit me.
My love for you struck me like a bolt of lightning and left me helplessly in love with you.
You must have known this lonely boy
Needed loving and affection
And that's why I can't avoid it.
You seemed to understand my need for love and affection, and that's why I can't help but fall for you.
Standing out a mile
Love hit me
Ever since you came my way.
I knew immediately that my love for you was strong, and it has only continued to grow since the day we met.
Now I believe in miracles
They happen every day.
Your love for me is like a miracle, and it has shown me that miracles occur more often than I ever imagined.
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shannonpuerta2694
Love this song!!! I had the pleasure of meeting Maxine on a cruise recently (well, before Covid) and what a beautiful lady inside and out she is!!!
@chrishustwayte7821
Why does this song remind me of Christmas???
@bluetarantulaproductions6179
I was born in the mid 80's, but I have a soft spot for music that came many years before my time because of my parents, really starting to enjoy Maxine Nightingale's music
@fs.pureblood
Great song. Takes me back.
@angelarichardson909
Love this song from the lively 70 s
@danieloconnor5089
70s best music best times to dance
@gwendolynmccrea5117
Maxine Nightgale you look so beautiful
@gdouglas999
Didn't chart well in the US but I always thought it was just as good as "Right Back Where We Started From."
@stellaferrara2884
Que bueno poder seguir escuchando estas melodias, me encanta!!! Saludos desde Argentina
@1061andy
Great tune