“If You Were Here Tonight” by Alexander O’Neal
Alexander O’Neal, a singer born and raised in Mississippi, doesn’t have any major hits under his belt, but he did have his moment in the music industry’s sun circa the late-1980s. For instance, his sophomore studio album, “Hearsay” (1987), performed particularly well in the UK. In that region, it has been certified triple-platinum.
Prior to that, he dropped his debut LP, a self-titled project, in 1985. And its second single, which was released on 24 July 1985, is “If You Were Here Tonight”.
This song was both written and produced by Monte Moir, a notable behind-the-scenes’ musician of the 1980s’ R&B scene. And the primary label behind its issuance was Tabu Records, though Epic Records was also involved.
Success
This song peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. On the Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (back then known as Hot Black Singles) list it reached number 17.
“If You Were Here Tonight” has also enjoyed a notable history in terms of being sampled. For example, it has been heavily utilized by reggae artists via an instrumental known as “Sail Away Riddim”. This O’Neal’s classic was also sampled by Rihanna on her 2015 mega-hit “Work” featuring Drake.
Lyrics of “If You Were Here Tonight”
Perhaps this track can be argued as being along the lines of a sex song, i.e. the implication being that “if” the addressee “were here” with Alexander “tonight”, there would be some lovemaking involved.
That’s to say that said addressee is obviously a romantic interest and furthermore, as can be gleaned, the vocalist’s sweetheart. But in this case the title is indeed true to the lyrics, as she is not physically present throughout.
And even though the reason for her absence is never specified, reading in-between the lines it appears as if maybe she has some type of beef with Alex. Or another way of looking at it is that perhaps this is a budding relationship, i.e. the two of them having yet to spend the night together, and the vocalist is trying to convince the addressee along those lines.
So with that in mind, the thesis sentiment pretty much revolves around the singer advertising to the apple of his eye just how romantically gratifying her coming over would prove to both parties involved.
