from BRUCE ROBERTS
Written by Bruce Roberts & Carole Bayer Sager
A veteran singer/songwriter, Bruce Roberts has co-written great stuff for a slew of big names including Barbra Streisand, the late Donna Summer (1948 to 2012) and Dusty Springfield (1939-1999), Cher, Bette Midler and Dolly Parton. Mr. Roberts’ self-titled debut album was released in 1977 on Elektra/Asylum Records.
Produced by the late, revered Tom Dowd (1925 to 2002), Bruce Roberts was a delicious pop collection that’s split between wonderful ballads and quirky ditties. Mr. Roberts’ voice doesn’t compare to his superstar friend’s, but his enjoyable vocals suits the material. His fresh voice was surrounded by a quality pop scenario that was delivered by a cast of session aces including a young David Foster on keyboards. Mr. Roberts co-wrote the bulk of the album with his dear friend Carole Bayer Sager. Most of the tracks included on Bruce Roberts were eventually covered by other singers. Among the creations were the anthemic ballad “I Don’t Break Easily” that was later sung by Barbra Streisand, “Starmaker,” which was ultimately recorded by Paul Anka and Judy Collins, and “I’m Comin’ Home Again,” also subsequently covered by Gladys Knight, Josè Feliciano and Ms. Springfield. More highlights on Bruce Roberts were a couple of soulful and irresistible mid-tempos titled “Me And My Love” and “Our Night” plus “I Don’t Wanna Go,” one of those killer Roberts/Bayer Sager co-writes and our pick from the album .
A gorgeous ballad, “I Don’t Wanna Go” had a refined melody with a memorable chorus. The soothing instrumental arrangement was a total knock-out with a classic soft rock atmosphere enhanced by a Latin-tinged vibe for the soulful refrain. Rightly, “I Don’t Wanna Go” had its share of good covers by soul groups including The Moments, pop/dance act Joey Travolta and Samantha Sang. This song and the whole Bruce Roberts album were very good examples of the glory days when pop music was made of great songwriting, superior performances and masterful studio production.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/03-I-Dont-Wanna-Go.mp3|titles=I Don’t Wanna Go|artists=Bruce Roberts]
Lead Vocals: Bruce Roberts
Keyboards: David Foster, John Jarvis & Bruce Roberts
Bass: Mike Porcaro & Bob Glaub
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Guitars: Fred Tackett & Ray Parker, Jr.
Percussion: Bobbye Hall & Tom Vig
Backing Vocals: Bruce Roberts & Brooks Hunnicutt
Horns Arranged by David Campbell
Produced by Tom Dowd
Lyrics
Lately I Been Known
For making up excuses
And all too many times
Wondering what the use is now
Nothing like it used to be
When you and me
Were all I ever dreamed of
Dreams just don’t come true
Just the way you planned them
And looking back in time
I still don’t understand just how
The feeling comes and goes
And before I start to lie
I want you to know
I Don’t wanna go
But I can’t stay here no more
I don’t wanna go
Cause it just ain’t like before
I don’t want you to love me
And ohh how I wish I
Loved you like I did
Honey you know I did
Did we turn away
Just when we saw it coming
And could we have been saved
Or would we still
Be running scared
The space became so wide
That no matter how I tried
There was just no place to hide
Ohh Baby
I Don’t wanna go
But I can’t stay here no more
I don’t wanna go
Cause it just ain’t like before
I don’t want you to love me
And ohh how I wish I
Loved you like I did
Honey you know I did
Repeat 2x
I Don’t wanna go
But I can’t stay here no more
I don’t wanna go
But it just ain’t like before
I don’t want you to love me
And ohh how I wish I
Loved you like I did
Honey you know I did
I Don’t wanna go
But I can’t stay here no more
I don’t wanna go
But it just ain’t like before
I Just
(But I can’t stay here no more
I don’t wanna go
But it just ain’t like before
I don’t want you to love me)
I Just
(I don’t wanna go
But it just ain’t like before)
I don’t wanna go
But it just ain’t like
Just like before