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).
You Don't Love Me
The Nighthawks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't care
You don't want me
Hangin' round here
Hangin' round here
Hangin' round here
Hangin' round here
Hangin' round here
Yes, I want you
You know I do
Ain't nothin' in the world, baby
I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do for you
Yes, I love you
You know I do
You know, pretty baby
What I'll try for you
I'm gonna try for you
I'm gonna try for you
I'm gonna try for you
I'm gonna try for you
Yes, I love you
You know I do
You know, pretty baby
I'm gonna try for you
I'm gonna try for you
I'm gonna try for you
The lyrics to The Nighthawks' song "You Don't Love Me" express the pain and frustration of unrequited love. The singer of the song is in love with someone who doesn't reciprocate his feelings. The repetition of the phrases "You don't love me," "You don't care," and "You don't want me" underscores the singer's sense of rejection and abandonment. The lyrics capture the sense of desperation that can arise when someone feels they are in love with someone who doesn't love them back.
The singer makes clear that even though he is not wanted by the person he loves, he still wants her. The lyrics express this desire using the repetition of the phrase "Ain't nothin' in the world, baby, I wouldn't do for you." This phrase suggests that the singer is willing to do anything to win the love of the person he desires. But even though he loves her, the singer knows that his feelings are not reciprocated. He acknowledges that the person he loves does not love him back and that he is "Hangin' round here" despite this rejection.
Overall, the lyrics express the pain of unrequited love and the hopelessness that can accompany it. The singer is in love with someone who doesn't love him back and is left feeling rejected and alone. Despite this, he still wants the person he loves and is willing to do anything to win her over, even though he knows she doesn't feel the same.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't love me
You do not have any romantic feelings for me
You don't care
You have no interest or concern for me
You don't want me
You do not desire me in any way
Hangin' round here
Being near me is not important to you
Yes, I want you
I have strong feelings of desire for you
You know I do
It is understood by both of us that I desire you
Ain't nothin' in the world, baby
There is nothing I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do for you
I am willing to do anything to prove my love for you
Yes, I love you
I have deep, romantic feelings for you
You know, pretty baby
It is obvious to me and others that I am in love with you
What I'll try for you
I will do anything to try and win your love
I'm gonna try for you
I am committed to doing everything I can to win your affection
Contributed by Samuel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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]