Steve "Luke" Lukather (born 21st October 1957 in San Fernando Valley, Calif… Read Full Bio ↴Steve "Luke" Lukather (born 21st October 1957 in San Fernando Valley, California) is a session musician, songwriter, arranger, producer and guitar player, best known for his work with pop/prog-rock band Toto. In addition to his work with Toto, Lukather has released several solo albums.

Lukather made himself famous by being the most sought-after session guitarist in LA in the 70s and 80s. He would walk into a studio last minute and lay down perfect tracks the first time, in whatever style required.

Known to his friends as "Luke" he still records and tours with Toto (2005) and continues to be an in-demand studio player and producer.

Influenced by the blues-rock pioneers such as Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, jazz guitarists such as Larry Carlton, and funk/fusion virtuosos such as Al Di Meola, Lukather's style is unique. He is known for fast, melodic, yet bluesy lines. His vibrato is very pronounced and steady. In interviews, he explains how he thinks of the guitar in a 'chordal cluster' format, and not the typical linear 'scale format'.

In addition to the high level of ability Steve Lukather has developed over the years, he also has built one of the largest effects rack of any rock guitarist. His tone is very 'signature', with a smooth overdrive/distortion, deep stereo delay, and all sorts of various effects on tap.

You Don't Love Me
Steve Lukather Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You don't love me, pretty baby,
you don't love me, yes I know.
You don't love me, pretty baby
you don't love me, yes I know.
Well if you leave me, pretty baby
don't you know you're gonna hurt me so.
Well I'm gonna tell my mother,
I'm gonna talk to my father too.

Well I'm gonna tell my sweet mother,
I'll have a word with my father too.
Well I'm gonna tell everybody,
what those young girls will do to you.
Goodbye now, pretty baby,
if I don't see you no more.
Lord, goodbye now, pretty baby,
if I never see you no more.

Well if you think I'll be your fool, Lord,
you better be on your merry way.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steve Lukather's song "You Don't Love Me" express the pain and disappointment of being in a one-sided relationship. The singer is aware that his partner doesn't love him, yet he still clings onto the hope that she might change her mind. He addresses her as "pretty baby," suggesting that he still finds her attractive and desirable, even though she doesn't reciprocate his feelings. He warns her that leaving him would cause him great pain, but it's clear that he realizes she may not care about his feelings as much as he cares about hers.

The singer also speaks of telling his mother and father about the situation, as well as telling everyone he knows about what "young girls will do to you." This suggests that he's experienced this type of rejection before and wants to warn others about the pain that can be caused by unrequited love. The song concludes with the singer bidding farewell to his unloving partner, stating that he won't be taken for a fool.

Overall, the lyrics of "You Don't Love Me" convey a sense of resignation and sadness. It's clear that the singer is aware of the truth of his situation, but is still struggling to let go of his feelings. The repetition of the line "you don't love me, yes I know" emphasizes the pain of this realization and underscores the singer's sense of helplessness.

Line by Line Meaning

You don't love me, pretty baby,
You don't have genuine love and affection for me, my dear.

you don't love me, yes I know.
I am aware that you don't possess love for me.

Well if you leave me, pretty baby
If you decide to leave me, my darling,

don't you know you're gonna hurt me so.
You should know that your departure will cause me great pain.

Well I'm gonna tell my mother,
I plan on discussing this matter with my mother,

I'm gonna talk to my father too.
and also with my father.

Well I'm gonna tell my sweet mother,
I shall inform my dear mother,

I'll have a word with my father too.
and have a conversation with my father as well.

Well, I'm gonna tell everybody,
I will make it a point to inform everybody,

what those young girls will do to you.
about the actions that young women like you are capable of doing.

Goodbye now, pretty baby,
Farewell for now, my darling,