James Taylor Songs - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Lyrics

James Taylor - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

James Taylor - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: One Man Dog
Released: 1972

Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Lyrics

Do me wrong, do me right
Tell me lies, but hold me tight
Save your good-byes for the morning light
But Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Say good-bye and say hello
Sure 'nough good to see you
But it's time to go
Don't say yes, but please
Don't say no
I don't want to be lonely tonight

Go away then, damn you
Go on and do as you please, yeah
You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees
I'm undecided and your heart's been divided
You've been turning my world upside down

Do me wrong, do me right, right now baby
Go on and tell me lies, but hold me tight
Save your good-byes for the morning light, morning light
But don't let me be lonely tonight
I don't want to be lonely tonight
No, no, I don't want to be lonely tonight
I don't want to be lonely tonight

Writer/s: TAYLOR, JAMES V
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

This was the lead single from One Man Dog, a concept album about fame primarily recorded in Taylor's home studio. He explained to Mojo magazine July 2009: "I wrote a number of songs that talked about being uneasy about fame. There are things about it that are odd, and should be questioned."

This song finds Taylor asking a girl to spend the night to fend off his loneliness. He comes off a bit desperate and very capricious, at one point telling her that he's not going to beg, but then preceding to do so. It sounds a lot like the manipulations of an addict, which Taylor was at the time. The song was released the same year he married Carly Simon (they divorced in 1983).

The Isley Brothers covered this in 1973. Eric Clapton recorded it in 2001 for his album Reptile.

Jazz giant Michael Brecker is featured on tenor sax. He was a popular session player on many rock and pop songs in the '70s and '80s.

Taylor sang on a version that was included on Brecker's 2001 solo album Nearness of You: The Ballad Book. This version earned Taylor a Grammy win for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.