Group nembers:
Jack Ashford, Kenji Brown, Kenny Copeland, Walter Downing, Freddie Dunn, Henry Garner, Lequeint Jobe, Michael Nash, Rose Norwalt, Terral "Terry" Santiel, Wah Wah Watson, and Michael Moore
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Rose Royce Lyrics
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Even flown in the big bird in the sky looking down from heaven's den
And as I go from town to town drifting like the wind
Loneliness is my company and hope is my friend
And I wonder where you are tonight
They said you wanted to be a star and see the big city lights
I hear your songs on the radio, your big publicity
And all that we had, boy, is drifting in the wind
And I wonder where you are tonight
Wish I never said goodbye
I just can't stand these lonely, lonely nights
Sometimes I break down and I cry
I'm just drifting in the wind, looking for a friend
Sailed over the ocean and I've traveled many, many lands
No matter how far I try to slip away, my heart just won't let me win
All those memory of you and me just linger in my mind
And I, I just can't forget you, boy, and this feeling we left behind
And I wonder where you are tonight
Baby, baby, I wonder where you are tonight
I wonder where you are tonight
Sometimes I break down and cry
I wish you'd never said goodbye
How I wonder, ooh I wonder
The lyrics to Rose Royce’s “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight” express a deep sense of loneliness and longing for someone who has gone away. The singer has traveled far and wide, citing sailing over oceans and traveling many lands. Despite all of these experiences, loneliness remains a constant companion, while hope remains a friend. The repetition of the phrase “drifting in the wind” creates a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty, as if the singer is simply moving from place to place with no clear destination.
The verses take on a more specific focus with the introduction of a character who wanted to be a star and see the bright lights of the big city, taking their guitar and leaving. The singer hears their songs on the radio and sees their big publicity, but all they can think of is the moments they shared that are now “drifting in the wind”. The chorus repeats the central line of the song, expressing a desire to know where this person is and the pain of their absence.
The song captures the universal experience of missing someone, particularly someone who has left under less than ideal circumstances. The lyrics touch on the difficulty of watching someone you care about pursue their dreams, even when it means separating from you. This is most clearly seen in the line “wish I never said goodbye”, which indicates regret for a choice that has left the singer feeling adrift.
Line by Line Meaning
I've sailed over the ocean, and I've traveled many lands
I have traveled far and wide, seen many places beyond my own.
Even flown in the big bird in the sky looking down from heaven's den
I have flown in planes, feeling closer to the heavens above.
And as I go from town to town drifting like the wind
I wander from place to place, feeling lost and aimless.
Loneliness is my company and hope is my friend
I am alone but hopeful, seeking companionship.
And I wonder where you are tonight
I think of you and wonder where you are now.
They said you wanted to be a star and see the big city lights
It was said that you desired fame and wanted to live in the city.
So you jumped in the car with your guitar, promised you're always right
You left confidently, pursuing your dreams with your instrument as your companion.
I hear your songs on the radio, your big publicity
Your music is famous, heard by many people through the media.
And all that we had, boy, is drifting in the wind
Our relationship is fading away, lost in memories.
Wish I never said goodbye
I regret ending things between us.
I just can't stand these lonely, lonely nights
Being alone is too much to bear sometimes.
Sometimes I break down and I cry
The pain of being without you is overwhelming at times.
I'm just drifting in the wind, looking for a friend
I am lost and seeking connection with someone.
No matter how far I try to slip away, my heart just won't let me win
I try to move on, but my heart still holds onto you.
All those memory of you and me just linger in my mind
Memories of us stay with me, haunting my thoughts.
And I, I just can't forget you, boy, and this feeling we left behind
I can't forget you or the emotions we shared.
Baby, baby, I wonder where you are tonight
I think of you with longing and curiosity.
Sometimes I break down and cry
The pain I feel without you is too much to bear.
I wish you'd never said goodbye
I regret us parting ways.
How I wonder, ooh I wonder
My thoughts of you fill me with wonder and uncertainty.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT DANIELS, ROBERT LOUIS DANIELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind