Ray Peterson was born in Denton, Texas. Blessed with a 4-octave singing voice, he idolized the vocal sounds of fellow Texan, Roy Orbison. Peterson moved to Los Angeles, California where he was signed by RCA Victor Records in 1957. He recorded several songs that were minor hits until "The Wonder of You" made it into the Billboard Top Thirty list. The song would later be recorded by Elvis Presley with whom he became close friends.
In 1960 Ray Peterson scored a Top 10 hit with "Tell Laura I Love Her," and followed that success with "Corrina, Corrina, and I Could Have Loved You So Well." By the mid-1960s he had become something of a phenomenon on the west coast of the United States, appearing live in numerous rock concerts with Paul McCartney lookalike, Keith Allison.
His performances at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, produced by Fred Vail, beginning in 1963 helped fuel a revival of "The Wonder of You" as well as launch his new relationship with MGM Records, an alliance that produced two albums, "The Very Best of Ray Peterson" featuring most of the Dunes singles, and "The Other Side of Ray Peterson", which included many of his nightclub songs. He later moved to Nashville, Tennessee and by the 1970s when the hit records stopped coming, Peterson became a Baptist Church minister and occasionally played the oldies music circuit.
Ray Peterson died of cancer in 2005 in Smyrna, Tennessee and was interred in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens cemetery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For
Ray Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Settle in your seat and dim the lights
Do you want my blood, do you want my tears
What do you want
What do you want from me
Should I sing until I can't sing any more
Play these strings until my fingers are raw
You're so hard to please
Do you think that I know something you don't know
What do you want from me
If I don't promise you the answers would you go
What do you want from me
Should I stand out in the rain
Do you want me to make a daisy chain for you
I'm not the one you need
What do you want from me
You can have anything you want
You can drift, you can dream, even walk on water
Anything you want
You can own everything you see
Sell your soul for complete control
Is that really what you need
You can lose yourself this night
See inside there is nothing to hide
Turn and face the light
What do you want from me
The song "What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For" by Ray Peterson is a song about confusion and vulnerability in a relationship. The singer is unsure about the feelings of their partner and is struggling to fulfill their expectations. The song begins with the singer asking their partner what they want from them, questioning whether they want their blood or tears. They then go on to express their willingness to try anything to please their partner, even if it means playing until their fingers are raw, or making a daisy chain in the rain. The singer is aware that their partner is hard to please and is questioning whether they know something that the singer doesn't.
The song then takes a darker turn as the singer questions whether their partner wants complete control and is willing to sell their soul for it. The singer is aware that their partner can have anything they want, but questions whether that is what they truly need. They then urge their partner to lose themselves in the night and turn to face the light.
Overall, the song is a plea for understanding and connection in a relationship that is struggling. The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to make their partner happy but is unsure what they really want. The song is a reflection on the uncertainties and insecurities that come with love.
Line by Line Meaning
As you look around this room tonight
As you take notice of your surroundings tonight
Settle in your seat and dim the lights
Get comfortable and turn down the lights
Do you want my blood, do you want my tears
Are you trying to emotionally drain me
What do you want
What is your intention
What do you want from me
What are you expecting or asking of me
Should I sing until I can't sing any more
Would you like me to continue singing until I physically cannot
Play these strings until my fingers are raw
Should I keep playing this instrument until my fingers hurt
You're so hard to please
You have high expectations and are difficult to satisfy
What do you want from me
What do you require from me to be satisfied
Do you think that I know something you don't know
Are you under the impression that I possess exclusive knowledge
What do you want from me
What kind of response or reaction are you hoping for
If I don't promise you the answers would you go
If I don't guarantee to provide you with answers, will you leave
What do you want from me
What do you expect or demand from me
Should I stand out in the rain
Would you like me to stand in the rain for your benefit
Do you want me to make a daisy chain for you
Would you like me to make you a daisy chain necklace
I'm not the one you need
I am not the person you require in your life
What do you want from me
What is your desired outcome from our interaction
You can have anything you want
You have the power to acquire whatever you desire
You can drift, you can dream, even walk on water
You have the ability to wander, imagine, and even defy logic
Anything you want
Any desire or intention you have can be realized
You can own everything you see
You can possess all that is in your sight
Sell your soul for complete control
You can trade your morals for complete authority
Is that really what you need
Is obtaining complete control over everything truly necessary
You can lose yourself this night
You can surrender your true identity tonight
See inside there is nothing to hide
Look within yourself and find no reason to conceal anything
Turn and face the light
Embrace the positive aspects of life and leave the negative behind
What do you want from me
What is your intended aim or objective from me
Writer(s): James V. Monaco, Howard E. Johnson, Joseph Mc Carthy
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lois Dargan
A great song,remember it well back in 1960.
David Magdziarz
A very good version of this song! I never heard it before. It's interesting how he changed the original duet lyrics to fit a solo performance (especially how in the original it is the woman who tells the man that he's the one flirting with dynamite). I also posted a video response using a video I made with the Billy Murray/Ada Jones version. I hope you like it.
chezfun
My favorite version of this one!
Josh Chiodo
Now this was a good song loved it years ago and love it now
Rainer Polter
Should have been a hit and an A-side instead of being wasted on the flip. Great!
Jonny Vegas
Still think Shakin´ Stevens version is the best!
Vincent Paterno
I'm guessing someone heard Emile Ford's version of this (a huge hit in the UK in late '59/early '60) and figured Ray could get similar success in the States. However, unlike his fine cover of "Corrine, Corrina," he simply doesn't make this his own. Listen to Ford's version; it's much tighter, more direct. and his vocal style suits the song better than Ray's quivering.
Tom Smith
Thank you very much, I didn't have the original version although I do have some Henry Burr and Ada Jones duets and many Billy Murray solo recordings. Thanks again for the very interesting comment and video response!
Rebecca D
💞💯 Ray Peterson 💯💞
Tom Smith
Glad that you like it!