Stranger Cole was born Wilburn Theodore Cole in 1945 in Kingston, Jamaica, … Read Full Bio ↴Stranger Cole was born Wilburn Theodore Cole in 1945 in Kingston, Jamaica, receiving the nickname “Stranger” because he resembled no one else in his family.

Cole began his recording career with producer Duke Reid, scoring a hit with his 1962 debut, “Rough & Tough,” a full-tilt ska number with a wild harmonica solo. His Louis Jordan revival song, “Run Joe,” was a hit in 1965, and featured members of the Techniques on harmony vocals.

Stranger frequently used duet partners, most notably Millicent “Patsy” Todd and Ken Boothe, and later in his career, Gladstone Anderson (their version of “Just Like a River” is one of Cole’s finest songs), stemming from an apparent shyness in the studio, but Cole developed into a soulful vocalist, and his songs radiate a kid of joyful personality that is rare in most reggae.

Love Me Today feat. Gladstone Anderson
Stranger Cole Lyrics

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Love me this evening
Tomorrow sun may never shine
It won′t greet me
A love like yours I'll never find
Love for today
Forget about tomorrow
Love me today
Love me today

Today tomorrow
Will be the past
Love all this evening
Never let us apart

Please forgive me
If I should ever let you cry
Please don′t leave me
A love like yours I'll never find

Love for today
Forget about tomorrow
Love me today
Love me today

If you're wrong
Come on say you′re wrong
Don′t stay away
If you're wrong
Come on say you′re wrong
Don't wander away
Love for today
Forget about tomorrow
Love me today
Love me today

I really need your love
Why won′t you love me
I need your love
'Cause I really need it
I want you give me your loving

I need your love
Baby give your love...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Stranger Cole's song Love Me Today feat. Gladstone Anderson convey a message of urgency and impermanence in love. The opening lines express a desire to be loved in the present moment, as tomorrow is uncertain and the sun may never shine again. The repetition of "Love me today" emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and cherishing the love that is present now. The lyrics also acknowledge the fear of losing this love, with the line "A love like yours I'll never find" highlighting the uniqueness and preciousness of the current relationship.

As the song progresses, the lyrics address the potential for mistakes and misunderstandings in a relationship. The lines "If you're wrong, come on say you're wrong / Don't stay away" convey a desire for open communication and a willingness to work through difficulties in the relationship. The final lines of the song express a deep need for love, with the repetition of "I need your love" underscoring the importance of connection and intimacy.

Overall, the lyrics to Stranger Cole's Love Me Today feat. Gladstone Anderson are a poignant reminder to appreciate and cherish love in the present moment, while also acknowledging the potential for challenges and obstacles along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Love me this evening
Show me affection tonight

Tomorrow sun may never shine
The future may be unpredictable and uncertain

It won't greet me
I cannot rely on the sun to bring happiness

A love like yours I'll never find
You are special and irreplaceable to me

Love for today
Let us focus on our love right now

Forget about tomorrow
We don't know what the future holds, so let's enjoy today

Today tomorrow
The present will soon become the past

Will be the past
Time is constantly moving forward

Love all this evening
Let us express our love tonight

Never let us apart
Promise to always be together and in love

Please forgive me
I'm sorry if I ever hurt you