As it turned out, it was also Tony Allen's final album release: he died on 30 April 2020, aged 79.
Never
Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never know just how much I care
And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you
You ought to know, for haven't I told you so
A million or more times?
You went away and my heart went with you
I speak your name in my every prayer
I swear I don't know how
You'll never know if you don't know now
(You went away and my heart went with you
I speak your name in my every prayer)
If there is some other way to prove that I love you
I swear I don't know how
You'll never know if you don't know now
You'll never know if you don't know now
The lyrics of "Never" by Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela express an intense longing that the singer has for his loved one who is seemingly out of reach. The first two lines, "You'll never know just how much I miss you / You'll never know just how much I care" convey the singer's frustration at his inability to fully express his feelings to his love interest, possibly due to distance or some other circumstance. He tries to hide his feelings but fails, and he laments that despite telling her countless times, she still doesn't seem to know how he really feels.
The following lines, "If there is some other way to prove that I love you / I swear I don't know how" suggest that the singer is willing to go to any lengths to convey his love, but is still searching for a way to do so. He feels like he has exhausted all the usual ways of expressing love and is at a loss at how to make her see how much he loves her. The final line of the chorus, "You'll never know if you don't know now" seems to urge the love interest to take notice of the singer's feelings and acknowledge them before it's too late.
Overall, the lyrics of "Never" paint a picture of a lovelorn person who is trying to come to terms with the intense emotions he feels towards his love interest, but is struggling to convey them in a way that will be understood.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never know just how much I miss you
I miss you deeply and immensely, but I won't tell you directly.
You'll never know just how much I care
I care about you more than words can express, but I won't tell you.
And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you
I love you so much that even if I tried to hide it, it would be fruitless.
You ought to know, for haven't I told you so
I assume you already know since I've told you countless times before.
A million or more times?
I've expressed my love for you many times before.
You went away and my heart went with you
My heart is attached to you and it left with you when you left.
I speak your name in my every prayer
You are always on my mind and I always mention you in my prayers.
If there is some other way to prove that I love you
If there's another way to show how much I love you.
I swear I don't know how
I honestly can't think of any other way to prove my love.
You'll never know if you don't know now
If you're not aware of my love for you by now, you may never be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomnguyen6365
Rest in Power, Tony Allen....the world will NEVER be the same without these 3 Legends!
@theDutton
Two absolute masters at their crafts paying homage to a titan. Only just discovered this tune, it sent chills down my spine, added to all my playlists, thanks!
@Ihbaworldsax
This is where I’m supposed to be. Enjoying the Afro beat revolution!
@udomatthiasdrums5322
still love your work!!
@mStargazin
Bra Hugh, one of SA's finest Jazz talents, RIP
@philpeep
I've been loving this on radio 6, and then the sad news that Tony Allen died yesterday. Plop off 2020.
@mirandafriday4023
I never heard this song till I listened to 6 music during Lockdown. It's a staple now.
RIP Hugh Masakela and Tony Allen
@AnilSahinoz
Thanks to you dear World Circuit Records! Before Tony Baba has left for his eternal journey he shared his last masterpiece art 'Rejoice' with us! Great album, great tunes!
@yagsmoodley6654
Yebo.!! Big shout outs to these late lost greats. Live their music forever.
@sfisomoeng4109
Rest In Peace to both these giants. 💔