Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.
In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.
Loving Arms
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one who said that he'd rather roam
The one who said he'd rather be alone
If you could only see me now
If I could hold you now
Just for a moment if I could make you mine
Just for a while turn back the hands of time
I've been too long in the wind, too long in the rain
Taking any comfort that I can
Looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains
Lying in your loving arms again
If you could hear me now (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Singing somewhere through a lonely night (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Dreaming of the arms that held me tight (ah, ah, ah, ah)
If you could only hear me now
I've been too long in the wind, too long in the rain
Taking any comfort that I can
Looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains
Lying in your loving arms again
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
The song "Loving Arms" is a ballad about a person who once claimed to be happy alone but now desperately longs for the embrace of their lover. The first verse describes how the singer has changed their mind about being single and wants to be held by their lover. The second verse describes how the singer has been alone for too long from the wind and the rain, and has been taking any comfort they could get. The singer longs to be in their lover's arms once again, and wishes that their lover could hear them singing somewhere through a lonely night, dreaming of the arms that hold them tight.
The song is packed with metaphors that evoke a sense of longing and emotional yearning. The wind and the rain that the singer has been in too long symbolize the trials and hardships that they have gone through, as well as the loneliness that they feel. The "freedom of my chains" that the singer longs for suggests that their current situation feels like a prison, which only their lover's embrace could liberate them from. Overall, the song is a touching and poignant portrayal of the power of love to heal and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
If you could see me now
I wish you were here to see me in this moment.
The one who said that he'd rather roam
I used to say that I wanted to travel and explore.
The one who said he'd rather be alone
I used to say that I would prefer being by myself.
If you could only see me now
If only you could witness how much I've changed.
If I could hold you now
I wish I could hold you in my arms right now.
Just for a moment if I could make you mine
If only I could have you for a brief period of time.
Just for a while turn back the hands of time
If I could have you for a little bit, I could relive past memories.
If I could only hold you now
If only I could be with you and feel your embrace.
I've been too long in the wind, too long in the rain
I've been through difficult times and experienced a lot of hardships.
Taking any comfort that I can
I take whatever little comfort I can find during these tough times.
Looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains
I often think about the past and wish to break free from my struggles.
Lying in your loving arms again
Being held in your loving embrace once more would be a great feeling.
If you could hear me now (ah, ah, ah, ah)
I wish you could hear me right now.
Singing somewhere through a lonely night (ah, ah, ah, ah)
I sing to myself during the lonely nights.
Dreaming of the arms that held me tight (ah, ah, ah, ah)
I often dream of being held tightly in your arms.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Mmhmm (ah, ah, ah, ah)
Sound effect expressing emotional distress and longing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Thomas Louis Jans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chargeske6029
What man is gone?
It’s March 1, 2019
and Kris Kristofferson
is alive and well.
He’s on tour right now.
Had the pleasure of
hearing him sing
in Chicago last
year at the City Winery.
What a voice
and what a presence.
I was one table away
from the stage.
He was so gracious and
after his last
song he shook hands with
those closest around him.
So genuine.
@angelitodenilla682
this song was so popular during my hi_schooldays now i'm 73 years young was one of my favorite song and i always play it.
@sallypadilla3091
Beautiful song ever!! I remember always playing guitar and sing when i was 18 19 yrs old..now i'm 65 still love this song!❤❤❤
@eleazartimbang6333
Same here mam, my golden years of the 70's❤️🙏🎵🎶
@julietasonday7457
Same here
@helecitaganio6168
Me too,I was playing guitar in my high school days.Now I am 63
@alexmclife2261
At 72, don’t know much new sounds! Still listen to this old melodies that gives peace me of mind. Love this song
@evie00sleep68
What a beautiful song by two of the best. Lovely video. Makes me sad they give up on each other. Her Indian heritage voice was so beautiful. 🐞🎧🎼🎶🥂. Thanks for the post
@jalkianvalour
If I could hold you in my loving arms, I would surely do so each and every day 🤗💞💕🧡
And never take such a gift for granted ever 💙💜💖❤
@Lilykins
You hold my heart every day 💞💖💘🥰💙💜💓 I love you so much and always 🤍💖🔥
@DonnSeib
Amazing song by Kris & Rita. Where are these great songs now? What a perfect love song.