In fact, "He Can't Love You" was the 45th song ever played on MTV. Also notable for having two prominent vocalists in the group, the Michael Stanley Band was such a huge sensation in its home area that it still holds attendance records at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center. They still have a special place in the hearts of many Ohioans after many years.
The band has had influences across the U.S. Stanley's song "Let's Get the Show on the Road" was covered on the 2000 album 'Live in the Classic City' by Widespread Panic. "My Town" was covered by Little Texas on their album 'Big Time'. As well, "Rosewood Bitters" was covered by rocker Joe Walsh on his 1985 album 'The Confessor'.
Spanish Nights
Michael Stanley Band Lyrics
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Volume 3: 1981 to 1986
Spanish Nights
from "MSB", 1982, EMI Records Group
& "Live At Tangiers: The Acoustic Shows", 1998, Razor & Tie Entertainment Corp.
down off one of those freeways
The breeze ain't movin' nothin',
But the blue hotel light
and the ladies on the corner
swear they could make it right
And he sits with his head in his hands
She sits listening to the radio
And things--they ain't worked out
exactly as planned
But then, Southern California
ain't no place to make a stand...
(CHORUS:)
And she holds on--she holds on
to St. Christopher
And she shines on--and he heads
for the light
And they can't take away the memories
of Spanish nights...
She had been there forever
and he had been 'somewhere along the way'
They were passionate people
these are desperate times
Desperate measures call for
passionate crimes
So they stole all the love they could handle
And you don't take prisoners
when you live on the run
And this town--it can finish
anything you've begun...
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
When you run with the dreamers
The going can get so rough
And sooner or later you find out
that dreams just ain't enough...
And they swore that each time was the last one
You know, two hearts can only take so much...
And you can't live in love songs
but, oh, how they tried
Alone in the darkness
with the whispers and cries
But then...
In the City of the Angels tonight...
down off one of those freeways
the breeze ain't movin' nothin'
but the blue hotel light...
(CHORUS TWICE)
Listen to her heartbeat...
Listen to her heartbeat...
Listen to her heartbeat...
--words & music by Michael Stanley
The song Spanish Nights by Michael Stanley Band describes a couple who is down on their luck and struggling in the city of Los Angeles. The singer narrates a scene where the man and woman are sitting together - the man with his head in his hands and the woman listening to the radio. The lyrics convey that things have not gone as planned for the couple, but they continue to hold onto each other in the midst of desperation. The woman holds onto St. Christopher, a symbol of protection, and the man heads towards the light. The memories of Spanish nights, which were passionate and full of love, is all they have left to hold onto.
The lyrics of the song explore themes of love, desperation, and the difficulties of holding onto dreams in a place like Los Angeles. The desperate measures of stealing love is juxtaposed against the town that can finish anything you've begun. The bridge of the song emphasizes the roughness of pursuing dreams and that they may not always be enough. The song also highlights the power of memories and how they can hold onto us long after the experiences that created them.
Line by Line Meaning
In the City of Angels tonight
The song is set in Los Angeles, where the couple is experiencing difficult times.
down off one of those freeways
The couple is located near a freeway in Los Angeles which is unknown.
The breeze ain't movin' nothin',
The weather is warm and still.
But the blue hotel light
The only thing observable is the signage of a hotel which is blue.
and the ladies on the corner swear they could make it right
The women standing around indicate that they are prostitutes who are willing to offer themselves to make things right.
And he sits with his head in his hands
The man is upset and holding his head.
She sits listening to the radio
The woman is not speaking.
And things--they ain't worked out exactly as planned
Things have not gone according to what was planned by the couple.
But then, Southern California ain't no place to make a stand...
Southern California is not a place where it is easy to stand your ground and be successful.
And she holds on--she holds on to St. Christopher
The woman finds comfort and reassurance in the patron saint of travellors, St. Christopher.
And she shines on--and he heads for the light
The woman continues to move forward in a positive way, while the man is making plans to leave.
And they can't take away the memories of Spanish nights...
The couple remembers their times together in Spain although they are separating.
She had been there forever and he had been 'somewhere along the way'
The woman has lived in the city for a long time, whereas the man moved there more recently.
They were passionate people, these are desperate times
Both the man and the woman are very passionate, although the current time is very difficult.
Desperate measures call for passionate crimes
In desperate times, sometimes passionate actions people take actions they would not have otherwise, sometimes you have to break some rules.
So they stole all the love they could handle
They took all the love they could get and enjoyed it.
And you don't take prisoners when you live on the run
When one is running away or committing a crime, it's not difficult to shed some people along the way.
And this town--it can finish anything you've begun...
This town can ruin anything that you start or begin.
When you run with the dreamers
They are dreamers and when you run with such people, times may become difficult.
The going can get so rough
It can be very challenging and strenuous.
And sooner or later you find out that dreams just ain't enough...
Dreams alone aren't enough to keep one motivated, with time reality sets in.
And they swore that each time was the last one
They convinced themselves that they would not get together again, many times before.
You know, two hearts can only take so much...
Their hearts can only bear so much before they break.
And you can't live in love songs but, oh, how they tried
Although they tried so hard to keep their love alive, they soon realized that it's not possible to live in a love song.
Alone in the darkness with the whispers and cries
They are addressing this lonely part, expressing their sadness and tears.
But then... In the City of the Angels tonight... down off one of those freeways... the breeze ain't movin' nothin'... but the blue hotel light...
The song ends on a note of stillness, with the couple still in Los Angeles, in search of their next adventure.
Listen to her heartbeat... Listen to her heartbeat... Listen to her heartbeat...
This line envisions the man's departure - he reflects on the memories and keeps listening to her heartbeat before finally leaving.
Writer(s): Michael Stanley
Contributed by Blake N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.