Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
When I Need You
Perry Como Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so want to give you,
It's only a heartbeat away!
When I need love,
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love
A thousand miles of empty space in between us
A telephone can take the place of your smile
But you know I won't be travellin' forever
It's cold out, but hold out an do like I do!
When I need you,
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so want to give you,
It's only a heartbeat away!
It's not easy when the road is goodbye, love! (goodbye, love!)
Honey, that's a heavy load that we bare!
But you know I won't be travellin' a lifetime!
It's cold out, but hold out
An do like I do!
When I need love,
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love
Keeping me warm night an' day!
When it's cold out,
Hold out an do like I do
When I need you!
The lyrics to Perry Como's "When I Need You" can be interpreted as a love song about physical separation but emotional closeness. The singer expresses that despite physical distance between him and his loved one, he can still feel close to her by closing his eyes and envisioning her with him. He also speaks about wanting to give himself completely to her and feeling surrounded and comforted by the love they share. The lines "when it's cold out, hold out an do like I do, when I need you" shows that he is willing to wait for his loved one to come back to him.
The song suggests that love is a powerful force that can transcend even the most difficult of circumstances. The "thousand miles of empty space" between him and his love can be overcome through the strength of their bond. Even though they are apart, he feels warm and comforted by her love. This message is one that can resonate with people in long-distance relationships or anyone who has had to endure physical separation from someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I need you,
The singer can think of the person they love and feel close to them by simply closing their eyes.
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
The act of closing eyes helps the singer to visualize the loved one's presence
And all that I so want to give you,
The singer has some desires that they wish to fulfill for their loved one
It's only a heartbeat away!
The distance or time between the singer and their loved one is negligible, and they feel like they can be present with them any moment, easily.
When I need love,
The singer desires love from their loved one
I hold out my hands and I touch love
The act of holding hands helps the singer to feel the love from their loved one directly.
I never knew there was so much love
The singer is surprised by the depths of love they receive from their loved one
Keeping me warm night an' day!
The love from their loved one fills the singer with warmth and comfort, no matter the time of day or night.
A thousand miles of empty space in between us
The singer and their loved one are separated by a long distance of thousand miles
A telephone can take the place of your smile
Though they are distant, the sound of their loved one's voice cheers the singer up as much as their physical presence would.
But you know I won't be travelin' forever
The singer knows that they will reunite with their loved one soon
It's cold out, but hold out an do like I do!
In the meantime, the singer tries to be strong and patient - even though it's difficult.
It's not easy when the road is goodbye, love! (goodbye, love!)
Even though they will be together soon, saying goodbye to their loved one is not easy for the singer
Honey, that's a heavy load that we bare!
The burden of separation is heavy on the singer and their loved one.
When it's cold out,
The weather is used as a metaphor here for the difficult time
Hold out an do like I do
The singer encourages their loved one to be strong with a gesture of hope and patience
When I need you!
The singer reiterates the central message that they can always count on their loved one even though they're apart.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Albert Hammond, Carole Bayer Sager
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind