Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Album: One Man Dog (1972)
Charted: 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 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.

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousEverything Happens To Me ? - Chet Baker - ( & others )
  • April from Shelby, OhCheck out Eric Clapton's version of this on his REPTILE album....absolutely AWESOME!
  • Brian from Chicagoland, United StatesJames re-did this great song on Michael Brecker's Jazz CD "Ballads" that came out a few years ago on Verve. It is a great version as it has a new arrangement.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.