In 1981, Cetera released his first solo album on Warner Bros. Records. The album was a commercial failure, which Cetera has attributed to Warner Bros.' refusal to promote him as a solo artist out of fear that he would leave Chicago, who had only recently signed with the label.
In 1985, Cetera was interested in recording another solo album. He had stated his lack of interest for the extensive touring schedule of the band. When the 17 Tour concluded in late-April 1985, Chicago's management, along with several members of the band, had expressed a desire to book another tour for that summer and start work on the next Chicago album.
Cetera insisted that they take a break from touring so that he could concentrate on a solo album and spend more time with his family. After the band rejected his offer to stay in the band while recording a solo album, it was announced that Cetera and Chicago would go their separate ways in July 1985.
Almost immediately, Cetera continued his streak of success. His first single, "Glory of Love" (the theme to the movie The Karate Kid, Part II), was a US No. 1 hit in 1986, and achieved similar success throughout the world.
He has many hits, such as:
1982 - "Livin' In The Limelight" #6 (Mainstream Rock) US
1986 - "Glory of Love" #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #3 UK (also appears on the soundtrack to The Karate Kid, Part II)
1986 - "The Next Time I Fall" (with Amy Grant) #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #78 UK
1987 - "Only Love Knows Why" #24 (Adult Contemporary) US
1987 - "I Wasn't the One (Who Said Goodbye)" (with Agnetha Fältskog) #93 US, #19 (Adult Contemporary) US
1988 - "One Good Woman" #4 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #82 UK
1992 - "Restless Heart" #35 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US
1993 - "Even A Fool Can See" #68 US, #3 (Adult Contemporary) US
1995 - "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" (with Crystal Bernard) #86 US, #22 (Adult Contemporary) US
1997 - "Do You Love Me That Much" #6 (Adult Contemporary) US
SOS
Peter Cetera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to reach for you. but you have closed my mind
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
It used to be so nice. It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You made me feel alive but something died I fear
I really tried to make it out. I wish I understood
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Peter Cetera's song "SOS" is a heartbreaking ballad about a relationship that has crumbled and left the singer feeling lost and alone. He starts by questioning why the happy days of their love seem to be so elusive and unreachable. He acknowledges that he has tried to reach out to his partner, but they have closed themselves off to him, and he cannot understand what has happened to their love. The singer is looking for answers and wants to make sense of the situation they are in. He misses the days when their love was strong and feels like something has died between them. Even though his partner is physically close, he still feels like they are distant, and he cannot seem to get through to them.
The chorus of the song is a plea for help, with the singer calling out for his lover to save him. He feels like nothing else can save him other than the love they shared. When his partner is gone, the singer feels like he cannot go on and questions how he can carry on without them. He is left feeling like he needs someone to reach out to him and save him from the pain he's feeling.
Overall, "SOS" is a plea to save a relationship that has lost its way. The singer wants to go back to the way things were before and is searching for answers to what went wrong. The song is a powerful reminder of the importance of communication and being open with your partner in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are those happy days they seem to hard to find?
Life used to be happier and simpler, but now it feels like those good times are hard to come by.
I try to reach for you. but you have closed my mind
I'm trying to connect and communicate with you, but you've emotionally shut me out.
Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood
I don't understand how our love has fallen apart and would like to know what went wrong.
It used to be so nice. It used to be so good
Our relationship used to be wonderful and fulfilling.
So when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.?
I'm crying out for help and hoping you can sense my distress.
The love you gave me. nothing else can save me, S.O.S.
Your love is the only thing that sustains me and without it, I am lost.
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
Without you, I feel hopeless and uncertain.
When you're gone though I try how can I carry on?
Even if I try to keep going, it feels like a struggle without you.
You seem so far away though you are standing near
You may be physically present, but emotionally you feel distant and unapproachable.
You made me feel alive but something died I fear
You used to bring me so much joy and happiness, but now I'm afraid that part of me has died.
I really tried to make it out. I wish I understood
I gave it my all to fix our relationship, but still don't comprehend what led to its downfall.
What happened to our love? It used to be so good
I miss the love we shared and can't fathom how it deteriorated from its greatness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Cloud9
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LE FRIANT, DANIEL DALMADY, ZSOLT MILICHOVSKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind