Formed in 1972, the Nighthawks underwent several personnel changes before stabilizing the lineup of Mark Wenner (harmonica), Jimmy Thackery (lead guitar), Jan Zukowski (bass guitar), and Pete Ragusa (drums). Keyboard player Greg Wetzel joined the band in 1983 and has continued to play at special performances as an "alumni" of the band.
The membership of the band remained relatively stable until 1987. At that time, tired of the band's extensive touring schedule, Thackery (lead guitar) departed. Following his departure, several players temporarily filled the lead guitar spot. These included Danny Morris and Pete Kanaras.
In 2003, the band featured in the first episode of the second season of The Wire with "Sixteen Tons".
Kanaras (lead guitar) and Zukowski (bass guitar) departed the band in 2004. They were replaced by DC musicians Paul Bell (lead guitar) and Johnny Castle (bass guitar)
#2 The Nighthawks were an American rock & roll band from Amarillo, Texas with Eddie Reeves (rhythm guitar & vocals); Bob Venable (lead guitar); John Thompson (bass); Mike Hinton (drums).
Tell the Truth
The Nighthawks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell the truth
Well, you know what you done to me,
You made me fall for you
Tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
Loving you, feelings started
But, I'm goin' to stop it
If I could, I surely would
I would roll up around you
If I thought it would do any good
Why don't you tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
(bridge)
Loving you, feelings started
But, I'm goin' to stop it
If I could, I surely would
I would roll up around you
If I thought it would do any good
Why don't you tell the truth
Tell the truth
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
Whooah, come on, tell the truth, now
(tell the truth)
And I know, I know, baby
(tell the truth)
Every day, every night
(tell the truth)
Whooah, hold me tight
(tell the truth)
And I know, and I know
(tell the truth)
You `oughta, you `oughta
(tell the truth)
Stop Lying
(tell the truth)
Stop Lying, whooh
(tell the truth)
Whoooh
(tell the truth)
Whoooh
(tell the truth)
Oh baby
(tell the truth)
Now tell the truth
(tell the truth)
Every day of your life, tell the truth little girl
(tell the truth)
What about that man you were with last night
(tell the truth)
I want to know
(tell the truth)
Come on baby
(tell the truth)
Hey hey
(tell the truth)
Every day of your life, you `oughta
(tell the truth)
The Nighthawks' "Tell The Truth" is a classic blues rock song where the singer is asking his partner to come clean about her true feelings towards him. The repetition of the phrase "Tell the truth" in the chorus emphasizes the singer's urge for honesty in their relationship. He admits that he fell for her, but also acknowledges that she has the power to make him do whatever she wants. Despite his strong feelings for her, he contemplates ending their relationship if she doesn't open up to him. He also mentions that he would do anything to win her over, but only if he knew it would make a difference.
The bridge repeats the lines from the earlier verse, emphasizing the singer's resolve to end the relationship if his partner continues to lie about their feelings. The song ends with the singer urging his partner to tell the truth every day of her life, even asking about the man she was with last night.
Overall, "Tell The Truth" is a classic blues rock song about the importance of honesty in a relationship. The lyrics capture the singer's emotional struggle as he tries to come to terms with his partner's lack of transparency.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell the truth
The singer is urging someone to stop lying and tell the truth.
Tell the truth
The singer repeats their plea for honesty.
Well, you know what you done to me,
The singer knows that the other person has hurt them in some way.
You made me fall for you
The other person's actions led the artist to develop strong feelings for them.
Well you know you can make me do what you want me to
The artist acknowledges that the other person has a strong hold on them.
Loving you, feelings started
The singer started to develop feelings for the other person because of their relationship.
But, I'm goin' to stop it
The singer has decided to put an end to their romantic feelings.
If I could, I surely would
The artist wishes they could do something to make things better.
I would roll up around you
The artist would try anything to fix their relationship.
If I thought it would do any good
The artist is doubtful that their actions would have a positive effect.
Why don't you tell the truth
The singer continues to urge the other person to be honest.
Whooah, come on, tell the truth, now
The artist is becoming more insistent in their request for honesty.
And I know, I know, baby
The singer is aware that the other person is hiding something.
Every day, every night
The singer wants the other person to be honest all the time.
Whooah, hold me tight
The singer is expressing a desire for physical intimacy.
You `oughta, you `oughta
The artist is emphasizing that the other person should do what's right.
Stop Lying
The artist is again imploring the other person to be truthful.
Stop Lying, whooh
The singer continues to express frustration with the other person's dishonesty.
Oh baby
The singer is trying to appeal to the other person emotionally.
Now tell the truth
The artist is once again asking for honesty.
Every day of your life, tell the truth little girl
The artist wants the other person to make a habit of being honest.
What about that man you were with last night
The artist is accusing the other person of spending time with someone else.
I want to know
The singer is demanding an explanation for the other person's behavior.
Come on baby
The artist is trying to coax the other person into being honest.
Hey hey
The singer is trying to get the other person's attention.
You `oughta
The singer once again emphasizes that the other person should do what's right.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES M BLACKMON, BRUCE ALLEN CARROLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
In the lyric line, "When I asked you out to dinner babe, you brought along Goodtime Slim,", that should I believe be "D-town Slim" (ie signifying Detroit)
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
Rather, I believe that chorus part should read :
'Cause you were dirty dealing mama and you're,
No, never dragging me down;
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
Moving Up in Class by The Nighthawks
I used to love you every morning babe and kiss you through the night,
I used to whisper in your ear that everything will be alright;
But now you're running loose, with a friend of mine in town,
I've got to let you go babe y'know I've got to put you down;
[Chorus} I'm moving up,
I'm moving up in class this time around,
'Cause you were dirty dealing mama and you...
You're never dragging me down;
You're too funky honey!
You cuss just like a sailor babae, you eat just like a hog,
'Treat you daddy low down and dirty, just like a no-good dog;
When I asked you out to dinner babe, you brought along Goodtime Slim,
He don't give you no money honey, but I KNOW what you're giving him;
[chorus}
Well I give you all my money babe, but you stay out late at night,
You come home nuggie-dirty, all you ever do is fuss and fight;
But I'm gonna leave you babe, I'm gonna leave you far behind,
Where there ain't no where to go but up in class, I tell you I ain't lyin';
[chorus]