Milsap was born in Robbinsville, North Carolina with a congenital disorder that left him almost completely blind. He was abandoned by his mother as an infant and raised by his grandparents until the age of five, when he was sent to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Milsap showed musical aptitude at an early age. The school stressed classical music training but he preferred country, gospel and rhythm-and-blues. He released his first single, Total Disaster, in 1963 at the age of twenty. This was followed by several Ashford And Simpson, compositions, including the memorable "Let's Go Get Stoned", which, unfortunately for Milsap, was relegated to a b-side. A few months later it would become a million-selling single for the more popular blind pianist, Ray Charles. 1972 found him working regularly at Roger Miller's King of the Road Club in Nashville, Tennessee and he signed with RCA Records in 1973. He was at his peak of popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with songs that made his name familiar to pop as well as country audiences, such as "It Was Almost Like A Song," "{There's) No Gettin' Over Me," "Smoky Mountain Rain," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World," and a remake of Chuck Jackson's "Any Day Now" (which was named Billboard magazine's Number One Adult Contemporary hit of 1982). Milsap recorded for RCA until 1992. During that time he created five gold albums, one platinum album and one double platinum album. He also won six Grammy Awards and eight Country Music Association awards including the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award. In 2005 Milsap resigned with RCA Records and released a new country single, "Local Girls."
Milsap has recorded music with Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley and Barry Manilow.
Ronnie and his wife Joyce currently make their home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Milsap enjoys his hobby of amateur (Ham) radio. More info on him can be found at: http://www.qrz.com/wb4kcg
Why Don't You Spend The Night
Ronnie Milsap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where did the night go to
Strange how it slips away when I'm with you
I know it's almost two
I know you should leave, but wait
I've thought it over and there's something I gotta say
Why don't you spend the night?
Why does it have to end so soon, please stay 'til the morning light
It's such a long way home
And you'd only be alone
Ah, come on now, why don't you spend the night?
Maybe I spoke too soon
And maybe my timing's wrong
And maybe it's something I shouldn't have said at all
But when I look in your eyes
I feel like we're almost one
Ah, something tells me the night's only just begun
Why don't you spend the night?
Somehow it seems so right
Why does it have to end so soon, please stay 'til the morning light
It's such a long way home
And you'd only be alone
Ah, come on Girl, why don't you spend the night?
Why don't you spend the night?
Somehow it seems so right
Why does it have to end so soon, please stay 'til the morning light
It's such a long way home
And you'd only be alone
Ah, come on now, why don't you spend the night?
(Oho-oh-oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
Mhm-mh (oh)
(Oh)
Alright (oh)
Oho, oh (oh)
Mhm-mh (oh)
(Why don't you spend the night?)
(Oho-oh-oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
Oho, oh (oh)
Ronnie Milsap's song "Why Don't You Spend The Night" tells the story of a man who is hesitant to let go of the woman he is with. As the night wears on, he realizes that he doesn't want her to leave and tells her that he wants her to spend the night. He knows it's late and that she should be leaving, but he can't seem to let her go. He even asks her why they have to end the night so soon and pleads with her to stay until morning.
The song is a reflection of the intense emotions that come with a new romantic relationship. The singer is caught up in the moment and wants to prolong the time he has with his love interest. He is also feeling a connection with her and doesn't want to let it go. The lyrics suggest that he knows he may be making a mistake by asking her to stay, but feels that it's worth the risk.
One interesting thing to note about this song is that it was written by country singer-songwriter and musician, Dolly Parton. It was released in 1980 as the second single from Ronnie Milsap's album "Out Where the Bright Lights Are Glowing." "Why Don't You Spend The Night" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and it also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 32.
Line by Line Meaning
How did it get so late
Expressing surprise that it's gotten so late considering how the time has flown by.
Where did the night go to
Pondering where the night went since it seems to have disappeared so quickly.
Strange how it slips away when I'm with you
Noting how time seems to pass quickly when he's around her as it feels like he's only been with her for a short while.
I know it's almost two
Recognizing that it's getting late and hinting to her that she should probably leave soon.
I know you should leave, but wait
Acknowledging that it's time for her to go home, but wanting her to stay just a bit longer.
I've thought it over and there's something I gotta say
Deciding that he needs to express his feelings to her before she leaves.
Why don't you spend the night?
Asking her to stay the night and suggesting that it feels like the right thing to do.
Somehow it seems so right
Justifying his request by stating that it feels like the perfect thing to do in that moment.
Why does it have to end so soon, please stay 'til the morning light
Expressing disappointment that the evening has to end and suggesting that she stay until morning in order to prolong their time together.
It's such a long way home
Noting that it would be inconvenient for her to leave at that hour since she lives far away.
And you'd only be alone
Arguing that there's no point in her leaving since she'd just end up alone, which would be a waste given the fact that they're having such a good time together.
Ah, come on now, why don't you spend the night?
Encouraging her to stay with him and making his request one more time.
Maybe I spoke too soon
Second-guessing his request and admitting that he might have jumped the gun by asking her to spend the night.
And maybe my timing's wrong
Acknowledging that he might have asked her to stay at the wrong time or that he might have missed his opportunity to make the request earlier in the evening.
And maybe it's something I shouldn't have said at all
Regretting having asked her to stay and wishing he could take it back.
But when I look in your eyes
Explaining why he made the request in the first place by telling her that her eyes held this alluring characteristic.
I feel like we're almost one
Feeling a certain closeness with her that makes him want her to stay even more.
Ah, something tells me the night's only just begun
Believing that there's still so much to do and experience together, and hinting that the night might lead to something more romantic.
(Oho-oh-oh)
Musical interlude.
(Oh)
Musical interlude.
(Oh)
Musical interlude.
Mhm-mh (oh)
Musical interlude.
(Oh)
Musical interlude.
Alright (oh)
Musical interlude.
Oho, oh (oh)
Musical interlude.
Mhm-mh (oh)
Musical interlude.
(Why don't you spend the night?)
Repeating the chorus one more time.
(Oho-oh-oh)
Musical interlude.
(Oh)
Musical interlude.
(Oh)
Musical interlude.
Oho, oh (oh)
Musical interlude.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MCDILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelschild4073
This is my favorite Ronnie Milsap song
@dorisszincsakne4617
Perfect, love this song ❤❤
@bufordhorner5718
yes ronnie milsap sings today 81 beautiful voice ❤
@pamelawoodley3483
I love this song ! ❤love the words ❤
@octaviapearson2922
This Man is the greatest singer of all time. I love you RONNIE.
@Dodger2204
Always loved this song!
@barbaradavis5748
Great song and Ronnie sings it so beautiful great job Ronnie
@barbaradavis5748
Ronnie always does a great job and anyone that doesn’t like him is stupid
@ejm1624
This whole album is badass. Underrated for sure!
@TracyAtchley-n8x
It don't get any better than Ronnie Milsap