The Wilson sisters and Phillips were friends from childhood, growing up in southern California in the 1970's and 1980's. The three shared a love of music and songwriting, and developed their own style of vocal harmonies. In 1989, producer Glen Ballard and SBK Records signed the trio to a record deal.
Wilson Phillips released their debut album Wilson Phillips in 1990. They shot to fame with their debut single, the # 1 hit "Hold On". The album was a hit, producing three number one singles and selling 10 million copies worldwide.
They released their follow-up album Shadows and Light in 1992. It was much less successful, producing no top ten singles and selling one million copies. Shortly after, the group decided to split up.
During the next decade, the group went their separate ways. Chynna Phillips released a solo album, "Naked and Sacred" in 1995, while the Wilson sisters released a Christmas album in 1993 and an album "The Wilsons" in 1997. Carnie also went on to host her own television talk show, while Phillips married actor William Baldwin. A "Greatest Hits" album was released in 2000, although the group did not officially reunite for this release. Carnie made headlines in 1999 when she underwent gastric bypass surgery live on the internet and lost over 20 dress sizes.
Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 to release California, an album of cover songs. A single, 'Go Your Own Way,' a remake of the original by Fleetwood Mac, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album debuted at #35 on the charts with 31,000 copies sold but due to the lack of promotion the album has yet to reach sales of 100,000 copies. In New Zealand the album was a surprise hit, reaching the top 10 and amassing gold sales following 'Go Your Own Way' topping the adult contemporary radio chart for several weeks.
Next to You
Wilson Phillips Lyrics
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Someday I'll be next to you
Montague and Capulet
Whispered through the wall
Words that they could not forget
After all
Thoughts across this violet sky
Letters to the moon I write oh
Is our love impossible?
Tell me why
Is it wrong for us
Oh to love so much
[Chorus:]
Keep the candle burning (Ooh ee ooh ...)
Someday I'll be next to you
As long as this world's turning
One day I'll be next to you
Keep the candle burning (Someday I'll be, someday I'll be)
Someday I'll be next to you
Maybe if I held my ground
Or stood up to authority oh
Then our love would not be bound
We'd be free
Is it wrong for us
Oh to feel so much?
[Chorus]
Someday love will carry us
To a place that's made for us
Ooh ee ooh ...
And ooh someday.
Someday I'll be... Someday I'll be
I'll be next to you
As long as this world's turning
Someday, someday
Keep the candle burning, burning in my heart
[Breakdown/Fade]
The lyrics of Wilson Phillips’ “Next to You” express the longing for a forbidden love. The opening lines of “Ooh ee ooh…” set the dreamy tone of the song. The allusion to the tragic love story of Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet in “Whispered through the wall, words that they could not forget, after all” shows the power of true love and how it endures despite all obstacles.
The verse “Thoughts across this violet sky, letters to the moon I write oh” reflects the romanticism of the song, as the singer writes letters to the moon, a symbol of unreachable love. The lines “Is it wrong for us, oh to love so much…” question the society’s rules and limitations that prevent the lovers from being together. The chorus “Keep the candle burning, someday I’ll be next to you…” reaffirms the hope of the lovers, that someday they will be united, while the lines “maybe if I held my ground, or stood up to authority oh, then our love would not be bound, we’d be free” indicate the hindrances and opposition that they face.
The final lines “Someday love will carry us, to a place that's made for us, ooh someday” express the belief in destiny and the ultimate triumph of love. The song’s power lies in its lyrical ambiguity, with lines that both express defiance against societal norms and the hope of redemption through love.
Line by Line Meaning
Someday I'll be next to you
The singer longs to be with the person they love, and hopes that someday they will be able to share physical proximity.
Montague and Capulet, whispered through the wall
A reference to the famous lovers Romeo and Juliet, who were separated by the feud between their families, yet still found ways to communicate in secret.
Words that they could not forget, after all
Despite their forbidden love, Romeo and Juliet could not help but remember the passion they felt for each other.
Thoughts across this violet sky, letters to the moon I write oh
The singer sends their feelings out into the universe, hoping that their loved one will somehow receive the message.
Is our love impossible? Tell me why
The singer questions whether their love is truly unattainable, and longs for answers.
Is it wrong for us, oh to love so much
The singer wonders if their love is somehow inherently flawed, simply because they feel so strongly.
Keep the candle burning, someday I'll be next to you
The singer vows to keep the flame of their hope alive, trusting that they will someday be reunited with the object of their affection.
Maybe if I held my ground, or stood up to authority oh
The singer wonders if they should have fought harder for their love, instead of accepting the barriers that stood in their way.
Then our love would not be bound, we'd be free
The singer believes that if they had been more brave or persistent, they might have been able to overcome the obstacles that have kept them apart.
Someday love will carry us, to a place that's made for us
The singer trusts that their love is stronger than any obstacle, and will eventually lead them to a place where they can be together.
Keep the candle burning, burning in my heart
The singer continues to hold onto hope, keeping the flame of their love alive even when it feels like it might be extinguished.
Contributed by Isaac L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.